Usborne Book of the Ancient World: Combined Volume : Early Civilization/the Greeks/the Romans/ (Illustrated World History)

I remember having this exact edition of the volume I purchased back in third grade. A year after I bought it, I had read it front-to-back a minimum of a dozen times and loaned it to my friend who was equally fascinated with ancient civilisations. She read it front-to-back and then spilled Dr. Pepper on it and threw it away. Both of us have looked for this book for almost fifteen years, but having forgotten the publishing house, never stumbled upon it. By total accident, I discovered a journal I had written in as a young girl discussing this very book, and was ecstatic to find I had listed the author. Within twenty minutes, I had found and ordered it on Amazon.com.I have since reread it front-to-back. Thank you so very much for keeping this book alive and well on the internet. It is not only one of the most comprehensive children's tomes on Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilisations, it was the beginning of my art history career and a very pleasant part of my childhood. I highly recommend it to any enthusiast, young or old. And definitely all seven-year-olds. ;)

Great informative book on the ancient world. They don’t make books like these anymore. Highly recommend

Thought it would be great for our middle schooler, but is great for any age.

Fantastic book for the history buff.

The illustations are simply beautiful in this 288+ book---WELL WORTH every cent! Though the writing at time can be challenging, and meant for the young adult reader, it's an absoulte must for any person interested in ancient civiliztions. After reading this text you will be an expert from Rome to Greece to China!

This is one of the best history books I've ever read. Though it mainly focuses on the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, it mentions earlier civilizations and important events in the Ancient world and discusses mythology to a great degree. I love the amount of detail and the focus on not just important events in history, but the everyday lives of the people of different civilizations. Almost all pages of this book are filled with beautiful drawings unlike most other history books with made it a perfect choice for younger readers. Though even adults would enjoy this well written, detailed and colorful book. I've had this book for 15 years and I still love to read it.

This book consists of three parts: Early Civilizations, The Greeks, and The Romans. The first focuses mainly on Egypt, though it touches on others such as the Assyrians and Babylonians.The strength of the book is the lavish illustration. The drawings are detailed and brightly colored and are intended to convey the realism of what is being portrayed. The book is a survey and, of necessity, only gives slight coverage to many important topics. That being said, it is a good survey and covers a great deal for a book targeted at this age group.Any concerns over undue nudity are unfounded. There is a pictorial representation of a stylized fertility god Min along with more than two dozen other Egyptian gods. It does have a phallus as might be expected, but is in the Egyptian style. Elsewhere, the Minoan women are represented with bare [...], as one would see on almost any fresco from the period containing a depiction of women. That's about it.I child will be confronted with depictions of nudity if they travel to any museum with ancient artifacts in their collection. Fear of the reality of this aspect of our historical past is the only thing that might prevent one from buying this book on that basis.It is a shame that it does not seem to be in print any longer.

This book is one of the best around for teaching ancient history to all ages! The colorful pictures, and detailed, yet short explanations hold a child's interest. There is enough information for an older child to learn and retain his new knowledge. The pictures are wonderful, which further the beauty of this book!