The Phoenicians in History and Legend [Paperback]

Anthony Strong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2002

The Phoenicians controlled the area of the Mediterranean Sea for over the entire first millennium BC and had lived on the Eastern shores of the sea for the previous two millennia. They spread to the northern and southern Mediterranean shores, making significant contributions to Western civilization. But today they are almost completely unknown. Except for scholars, they are mostly ignored today because the rival Greek and Roman cultures that eventually spread to the West attempted to erase any trace of the Phoenicians. History has no mercy on the vanquished and is written by the winners. While scholars are aware of the Phoenician contributions to civilization, most people know nothing about them. This book is an attempt to bring this topic back to the attention of modern readers.The author hopes that a broad audience of readers will be interested in the knowledge that was brought to us by the contributions of the Phoenicians. The intended audience of this book includes students of history, mythology or religion, writers and scholars from other disciplines, linguistic experts and anyone with an interest in enhancing their knowledge about forgotten civilizations. There are over three million people of Phoenician descent in the United States and twice as many in the remainder of the Americas, to whom this book would also be of interest.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author has been a university professor for over twenty years in the United States. In his early youth he was fortunate to live abroad, frequently visiting the countries bordering southern Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. He has also traveled widely in the rest of the world. With this background, years later he began to work on the present book as a result of fortuitous encounters with people whom he had met all over these areas. An avid reader, he has acquired a broad knowledge of the historical civilizations that shaped Western culture. Further, he has come to realize the existence of much older, forgotten and mostly ignored pre-historical people who had been at the root of what was inherited by the West through the predominant influence of the Greco-Roman civilization. This book reflects his belief that multiple events that occurred in the remote past paved the way for our civilization to develop to the point that we enjoy today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140336690X
• ISBN-13: 978-1403366900
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,167,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, October 30, 2004

By 

A. Chedid (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Phoenicians in History and Legend (Paperback)

Mr. Strong writes a coherent, detailed, yet story like history of this ancient group of traders that remarkably were responsible for many of the things we take for granted today. This is well researched and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to expand their horizon.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars History and Legend Spoiled, June 2, 2006

By 

WESLEY J. BERG "Wesley J. Berg book critic" (Anderson, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Phoenicians in History and Legend (Hardcover)

The credentials of Mr. Strong are not stated. Due to the many errors in grammar, spelling and the use of the wrong words in the text spoils the spirit of the history of the Phoenicians. I would not want Mr. Strong to write a history of my people!

The first two-hundred pages are filled with redundancies. He states the same legends (myths) over and over and over. It will put you to sleep without the use of prescription drugs!

There is little consistency in his style and format. On the same page he will state, "....and in the 8th and 7th centuries BC..." and then in the next paragraph "... and in the VIII and VII centuries....".

Of course these mistakes could have been eliminated if the publisher had hired a knowledgeable editor and trained proof readers.

I will not recommend this book to anyone unless the numerous mistakes are corrected. Therefore, I give it one star -- mainly because that is the lowest rating available.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind and truly a winner!, July 21, 2008

By 

Merréll O'Brian - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Phoenicians in History and Legend (Paperback)

Thank you Mr. Strong for providing a book of your knowledge on the Phoenician history and legend. The subject, although clamored over and used in so much media today, is virtually untouched by credible historians such as you.
The content in the book is amazing, and presented in an interesting, artful and intelligent manner. While reading your book, I felt like I was sitting with a good friend, learning from his vast studies, hearing the tales told in an intriguing story-telling manner. I'm grateful you wrote the challenging material in a way I could easily understand and appreciate.
Grammar is a suggestion, not a god. I'd have some geek run over the manuscript before submitting next time, just for the uptight folks in the crowd. Strange that literature is considered "art" and yet, writers don't get the breaks of musicians, painters, poets and philosophers. The goal is to convey knowledge, experience and entertainment in writing. You sir, did all of these quite well.