Customer Reviews

The Seventy Great Inventions of the Ancient World

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If you are interested in history, Fagan gives a fascinating look at how past civilisations discovered certain crucial inventions, and used these as much of the basis for their societies. Typically, standard history books might only give cursory mention of these inventions. But here Fagan gives them their proper place.

The limitation to a total of 70 is of course arbitrary. But probably as a practical necessity, he needed some means of constraining the size of his subject matter. In any event, it is hard to argue with his choice of inventions. All of these were pivotal to those who used them.

The illustrations in the book are also a pleasure to view. Care has also gone into preparing these, and they do show glimpses of vanished worlds.

Thames and Hudson's 'Seventy' series provides a blend of discipline contributions in including essays by scientists, historians and more, along with a focus on extraordinary world inventions to tackle all the technological facets which have made modern society so important. Hundreds of photos and special maps and diagrams unique to THE SEVENTY GREAT INVENTIONS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD pack a coverage which examines not just the origins of these inventions, but their lasting impact on the world. Where would we be without coffee, chocolate and board games? Find out in Brian Fagan's engagingly informative and visually impressive survey.

Was required supplementary reading for a class. But the book is so cool that it now resides on an end-table for guests to look at and enjoy.