Customer Reviews

The Ancient Mediterranean World: From the Stone Age to A.D. 600

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers four broad areas of ancient history: non-Greek eastern Mediterranean civilizations, the Greek world, the Roman world, and late antiquity. It's a very ambitious project, especially since this is a slim volume (some 200 odd pages). I found only the Greek and Roman sections to be sufficiently detailed to make it worth reading. The other two sections were way too superficial and brief. I mean, how do you adequately cover the Hittites in two pages or the rise of Islam in a page? Why even mention them at all? That being said, I thought for an introductory work, the Greek and Roman sections were full of interest and engaging analysis. I think the authors were smart to focus on broad themes rather than a blow by blow chronological account. Overall, I would recommend this book, but only for its Greek and Roman histories.

Looking for an overview of the history, cultures, ethnic groups, etc, circling the Mediterranean in ancient times, I found too much emphasis on the religious traditions of those regions over the ages. It would have been helpful if that had been made clear in the title.

An excellent introductory overview, albeit lite on the ancient Near East. Fully accessible to leisure as well as academic readers. A true pleasure, and more so to discover that it is but one in a series! Highly recommended!

I am using this book for a history course that I will take (and help teach) in the Fall Semester 2009. It is well-written, very concise. I found the graphics very helpful also. My only disappointment was having a question for the authors that I could not "ask." Robin Winks is now deceased and I don't think Susan Parkes is at UGA any longer. So I was not able to send along my question about the Mesopotamians. Dr. Dolores L. Sparrow

I recently purchaed this book. I find a good introduction to the Ancient Mediterranean world. Though I wish that the authors gave more information about ancient Egypt. I can now go on to more detailed history books on Egypt, Rome and Greece.

This is a book that provides a very concise picture of the ancient Mediterranean world. That may be good for some people, but it wasn't good for me. I'm taking a class on western civilization and I need a narrative, less encyclopedic style of writing--a book that would draw me in and help paint a coherent story.

This book provides a concise overview. It is also very conceptual. Most of the interpretation is already done for the reader. I prefer information and data presented in a style that allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusions and make his/her own thoughts.

The sample pages posted on Amazon gave the false impression of a thought-provoking and stimulating book. However it turned out to be a book organized around facts and a hierarchy of headings and concepts. It's hard to grasp history and concepts when it is spoon-fed. This is true because reference points are lacking. The reader has a hard time relating to the information.

I had not recieved my book and I was beginning to worry b/c I am taking one of the most challenging classes this semester! Well, I emailed the seller of the book and they sent a reassuring email letting me know the book was on its way. I was really happy and I appreciated the very friendly email from the seller. Thanks so much! The book got here in record time!!

A good history, very readable. The authors appear to be atheists or agnostics. They to put a lot of credence into the theory of evolution. An interesting note concerning their treatment of the life of Jesus is that they note that He performed miracles. They present this as if they are reporting history without trying to come up with alternative explanations for the miracles. This may be exactly what the first century Jewish historian Josephus did when he recorded the miracles of Jesus. They are neither affirming or denying, just reporting what was believed. In all, I found the book enjoyable to read through and it is one that will be read many times in the future.