The Ancient Greek World (World in Ancient Times) [Library Binding]

Jennifer T. Roberts (Author), Tracy Barrett (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: World in Ancient Times

Jennifer Roberts, of the City University of New York, and Tracy Barrett, author of historical fiction for young adults, bring together their respective mastery of scholarship and storytelling to tell the history of a place, a people, and a culture that has left some of the most beautiful art, the greatest stories, and the most magnificent cities and buildings that the world has ever known. The Ancient Greek World uses primary sources such as Homer's Odyssey, Herodotus' Histories, a Minoan drinking cup, and a child's grave epitaph to present a balanced and lively narrative history of ancient Greece. A chronology, cast of characters, maps, pronunciation table, further reading, and index supplement the main text.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–A thoroughly researched political and cultural history. The writing is lively, often using humorous titles for chapters and sidebars: "Always Look a Gift Horse in the Belly: The Trojan War," "Everybody's Got a Sore Spot" (referring to Achilles). Extensive quotes from primary sources, attractive page layouts, numerous good-quality color photographs of ruins and artifacts, plus the infusion of humor make for a palatable, solid resource for any collection. Included are a time line, a lengthy list for further reading, and Web sites–a few are not readily accessible, unfortunately, but those that are, are very useful.–Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukie, OR
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Review

"A thoroughly researched political and cultural history. The writing is lively, often using humorous titles for chapters and sidebars: Always Look a Gift Horse in the Belly: The Trojan War, Everybodys Got a Sore Spot (referring to Achilles). Extensive quotes from primary sources, attractive page layouts, numerous good-quality color photographs of ruins and artifacts, plus the infusion of humor make for a palatable, solid resource for any collection. Included are a time line, a lengthy list for further reading, and Web sites." -- School Library Journal, August 2004

"In the wake of Joy Hakim's fabulous A History of US, the publishers are pairing historians and novelists for similarly readable, meaty tours of more ancient cultures. Here, paying particular attention to the roles of women and repeatedly noting that the cultural and economic achievements of the Greek citystates rested solidly on the backs of farmers and slaves, the authors trace the rise and fall of Crete, Mycenae, Classical Greece, and Alexander's empire, interspersing topical chapters, illuminating side notes, and even an interview with a working archaeologist. Photos of artifacts and ruins, plus an admixture of carefully identified Renaissance art, support it all nicely....For clarity, scholarship, and readability, it rises easily past the general run of assignment titles." -- Kirkus Reviews

"With the continuing discoveries of archaeologists and researchers, history is constantly changing...and so is learning about history thanks to this series." --Growing Minds

"For fans of Joy Hakim's wonderful History of US series, Oxford University Press is publishing The World in Ancient Times, the multi-volume world history equivalent....This series is a great idea." -- Home Education

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019515696X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195156966
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #872,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, March 5, 2009

By 

book worm "Marie" (Bloomington, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Greek World California Edition (World in Ancient Times) (Hardcover)

These textbooks have been purchased for 7th grade class in the school where I teach. As a teacher of the ancient history course, I have been very disappointed by the lack of depth in the information presented for students of this age group. I can't begin to imagine using this textbook for tenth grade students, as recommended by the Library Journal in the book description. I think that the reading level is quite simple and possibly below junior high level. Although it grasps the students attention and they enjoy reading it, I find this is because most of the information given is anecdotal rather than providing information that provides a comprehensive view of the ancient world. I am not able to use this textbook as the framework for our study of ancient history. I need to supplement the information with notes from a more complete source of the historical story of the ancient world. Rather than expecting this book to be the backbone of our ancient history study, I think it is more appropriate as a supplementary source.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Greece on the Reader's Digest Scale, May 6, 2007

By 

H. B. Baldwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ancient Greek World (World in Ancient Times) (Library Binding)

Though this book was good in a lot of ways, it was not as complete as I had hoped it would. It covered a lot of the territory that my other books covered but I was looking for more information on the Helenistic World which was influenced and as important as the Classical Period of Greece. That was covered, but I felt like I was reading a Reader's Digest of their times and culture. For those that are just beginning to explore the Ancient World of the Mediterranean, it is good, but does not hold much for someone like me that has more scholarly interests in mind.