The Ancient Near East: Ancient History Series, Volume I [Paperback]

William E. Dunstan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0030352991 | ISBN-13: 978-0030352997 | Edition: 1

Written for the student of history and the general reader, this study of the civilization of the ancient Near East brings together the findings of historians, anthropologists, linguists, geographers, art historians, scientists, and other specialists. It begins with an examination of prehistory, and then focuses on social and cultural themes while broadly outlining Near Eastern political and military developments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (July 16, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030352991
• ISBN-13: 978-0030352997
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The one intro that truly covers entire region., January 26, 2006

By 

bookology "bookology" (Studio City, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Near East: Ancient History Series, Volume I (Paperback)

There are several good well-written introductions to the Ancient Near East currently available. Most focus on Mesopotamia and give little or no attention to other parts of the Ancient Near East. Dunstan however covers Mesopotamia, Egypt, Asia Minor, the Levant and the Ancient Hebrews. Thus this one introductory book does the work of four books. He also provides very good coverage of cultural and religious issues but political history is given less attention than typical. Despite the broad coverage, most of the key points are covered. Only four stars because there are no footnotes and inadequate bibliography. There is only a short list of suggestions for further reading.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great undergraduate book, May 15, 2000

By 

TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Ancient Near East: Ancient History Series, Volume I (Paperback)

Dunstan's textbook works well as an undergraduate textbook, and, indeed, as an introduction for the layperson or non-specialist as well. His style is clear, his use of evidence appropriate, and his images improve the text without pulling the reader from the words. A little expensive for undergraduates but could easily be the only book in an introductory class on the entire Near East.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading!, December 10, 2009

By 

Robert Graul - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ancient Near East: Ancient History Series, Volume I (Paperback)

This book is excellent and full of good information. If it has one small weakness, more could be put in about the the reasons for the decline of late Bronze age empires, but that's a minor point.