The Assyrian Empire (World History Series) [Library Binding]

Don Nardo (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998 | Series: World History Series

Discusses the history of the Assyrian Empire, including its early people, the rise of the Assyrian nation, its rebirth, the empire at its height, and the nation's collapse.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Nardo has turned out yet another thoroughly researched and documented study of an ancient people who had a major role in the building of empires. The Assyrians were widely feared and hated during the period of their ascendancy (approximately 1000 to 600 B.C.E.). The author does not shy away from describing the cruelty of their warfare, which included mass executions of civilians and deportations. He also describes the techniques of siege warfare perfected by the Assyrians. This is a complete and well-rounded study and includes the less martial accomplishments of the culture as well: the building of a great library and well-ordered cities. Nardo also does an admirable job of dealing with the complex reasons behind the decline of the Roman Empire. He describes the factors such as economic instability, political divisiveness, and, most tellingly, military defeats and barbarian invasions that eventually tolled a death knell for one of history's longest-lived empires. Also included is information about the lasting heritage that Rome bequeathed to Western civilization, including the Christian faith, laws, and culture that we still carry with us today. Excellent, up-to-date bibliographies and numerous black-and-white photos and drawings make these books worthwhile purchases for research purposes.
David N. Pauli, Starke County Library, Knox, IN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 96 pages
• Publisher: Greenhaven Press (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560063130
• ISBN-13: 978-1560063131
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,712,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don Nardo is a historian and award-winning writer who specializes in the ancient world, especially the civilizations of Greece and Rome. He began as a actor and worked with the National Shakespeare Company before turning to writing screenplays and teleplays and, soon afterward, devoting much of his time to historical research and writing. In the past two decades, he has published nearly two hundred volumes on diverse historical topics. And having earned numerous favorable reviews, he is widely recognized as the country's leading writer of historical works for young adults. He is also versed in various other subjects and as a result is frequently asked by publishers to write books on a number of scientific and literary topics.

Mr. Nardo also composes and arranges orchestral music, having started composing in his early teens. Over the years he has turned out more than eighty musical works, including 2 symphonies, 4 string quartets, several concertos, a film score, incidental music for stage productions, and several commissions, the most recent a double concerto for violin and Portuguese guitar written for two noted musicians. He is also the resident composer and arranger for the Amadis Orchestra, based in Connecticut. For more information, see his official web site at www.nardopublishing.com and his more extensive biography at Wikipedia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Job, April 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Assyrian Empire (World History Series) (Library Binding)

Almost all important aspects of the civilization of ancient Assyria are covered expertly and clearly in this history book for young persons. The constant rise and fall of empires in the old Middle East comes out very clearly, with also a lot of interesting detail about Assyrian art, sculpture and architecture. Nardo, who writes more often about ancient Greece and Rome, does his usual best in making ancient times come to life. I recommend this book to anybody intersted in ancient history or the Middle East in general.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and highly informative read, December 12, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Assyrian Empire (World History Series) (Library Binding)

This book is part of the World History Series by Lucent Books. In this addition to the series, author and historian Don Nardo looks at the Assyrian Empire, following the course of its history from prehistoric time to its final destruction at the hands of the Babylonians and Medes. Also, the author does a good job of presenting what little is known about Assyrian society. Included in this book are many wonderful maps and black-and-white pictures.

This is a great book that, though written for younger readers, will give any reader of any age a good understanding of the. Overall, I did find this to be a fascinating and highly informative read that is also concise and highly readable. If you want an introduction to the Assyrian Empire, then this is a good book for you to get. I highly recommend it!