Product Description
Through verse, young readers can explore the fascinating civilizations of the past. The rich worlds of Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt and Africa come to life in engaging and lively rhymes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice supplement
Altman and Lechner have created a neat supplement for elementary school students.I was particularly pleased with the range of topics covered.They hit all the important highlights covered in elementary Roman history, from architecture and notable emperors to specific aspects of Roman life such as clothing, eating and Roman numerals.We use Veritas Press history and this just tied right in each week.I suspect in fact that my second grader will remember more from this book than from the more in depth historical texts that we read.He frequently picks this up and reviews Roman Roads, the Praetorian Guard and Nero (his favorite topics anyway). Good for memorizing to go with the Veritas Press cards; the poems provide more than two facts each! ... Read more

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What do the wheel, the law, and belief in a single god have in common? All of these ideas first came to people who lived in the ancient Near East. As if these revolutionary developments weren't enough to make a mark on world history, these ancient innovators also came up with the most fantastic invention of all-writing. The Ancient Near Eastern World is filled with the scribes, potters, sculptors, architects, schoolchildren, lawmakers, kings, queens, farmers, and priests who designed and created that world.

The World in Ancient Times dusts off ancient artifacts and texts and assembles them anew as pieces of the never-ending puzzle we call ancient history. Readers become part of the process of historical investigation as they explore these primary sources, learning not just what we know but how we know it. Accomplished historical novelists collaborate with leading historians and archaeologists to weave the most up-to-date scholarship into stories that are vivid, suspenseful, and fun.

Grades 6-8 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ancient History for Dummies
A mark of the best academic writers is their ability to distil large amounts of learning into chunks digestible for mere mortals - or in this case, younger readers.Professor Podany and Ms McGee have done precisely that for the fascinating ancient Middle East, whence came so many discoveries and ideas that survive from 5,000 years ago to modern times - the wheel, measurement of time in base 60 (seconds and minutes), writing, mathematics...and so the list goes on.I bought this book as an introduction for me and - hopefully - an inspiration for my children.This eminently readable book has yet to be submitted to the second test but has passed the first with flying colours, as I am now not only more knowledgeable but have more insight into the region, as well as being inspired to find out more.I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in finding out more about an influential and formative period in our shared history. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Fine illustrations...
Good source of information, could be better. It is somewhat limited in specifics, provides a more general concept, lives out areas of geography that where part of history. It seems that most authors of these type of books collect information mostly from English written sources. I.e. - Medival Europe's axis of power was central and east, not west as this publication suggests. Renaissance was more then just Italy or France. The color plates however are nicely done and if one compares with other contemporary materials, can learn quite a bit of the fashion development of centuries past.

Pretty useless
This book is pretty useless. thedrawings are too simple, with few lines with poor quality coloring. I bought this book simply because it was cheap if I buy this with the one I wanted to buy originally. And even if this book cost $5, I wouldn't buy if I knew (and paid more than that, and caanot return since I'm living in overseas and shipping cost would be higher than this)
I would NOT recomment this book to anyone, unless they want to waste their money.

lacking in everything
Okay, so I bought this book thinking it would be a useful reference book.It's not.Yes, it has a bunch of illustrations, but it gives no reference information to go with the plates--which, by the way, are simply awful line drawings, some of which are badly colored in to the detriment of the pictures.

Do not buy this book if you want to learn what things are called, the time periods in which they were used, or any specific, detailed information about variations in the general styles for a specific period in time.

On the other hand, if you just want some reference pictures for designign your kid's Halloween costume, then you have plenty to go by.

Good for the casual costume designer
Although the pictures do not go into great detail, this book has a wealth of information for the costume designer. For kid's halloween costumes, school-play costumes, and general information on style and period, this book can be invaluable. Included are full colour and black and white sketches, as well as reproductions of statues and paintings. It is an excellent book for the casual costume designer, though a serious historical re-enactor would need something that provides greater detail.

General
Gives a basic and brief coverage of both male and female costume from different periods and cultures. mixture of both colour and black and white sketches. no great detail but good enough to present a general idea. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Explores Yogic philosophy and practice to discover what it means to be a mature, moral person. Counterbalancing the current trend toward overpopulariziation. Yoga is not about the glamour of its physical postures or fabulous states of meditation. Yoga, which lies at the heart of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, is a spiritual tradition is concerned with personal growth and the ultimate goal of complete self-transcendence to the point of perfect inner freedom. The core process of Yoga, which conducts the yogic practitioner from a state of inauthentic existence to authentic being, is unglamorous and proceeds through the gradual, quiet transformation of one’s body-mind and everyday life. It is impossible to be a good yogi or yoginî without also being a morally mature individual. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

if you're sincere about yoga
The modern "western version" of yoga (clubs, spas, exercise classes) completely misses the essence of what yoga actually is.Feuerstein bravely tells it like it is--true yoga is not what you do, but what you are. And here's a news flash: morality is not a dirty word!The amazing thing is that once a person understands and practices yoga, morality is a natural by-product.

Buy and read this book only if you genuinely seek transformation.

Hold on a second...............

Sorry, I wrote my review prematurely; I had only read less than half the book, but I was enjoying and believed it would deliver.... However, the author soon enough resorts to thin analyses and reveals his personal prejudices and bigotries.In the end it was an extremely disappointing book, though the IDEA of it is right on.Not a book I recommend. One star.

Timely wisdom from a yoga stalwart!
Georg Feuerstein has never lost sight of the goal of yoga.In our western culture with its emphasis on the body, its refreshing to read of the often forgotten and/or sometimes ignored angas of yoga.Thank you Georg. ... Read more

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To some people, Genghis Khan was a very evil man. He reportedly killed millions of people, most of them in cold blood. To others, he was the man who established an era of peace and prosperity. This achievement allowed the free exchange of ideas and new inventions between Asia and Europe.

One thing is certain. According to the results of a newspaper poll, he was the Man of the Millennium. That means he was the most important human being to live between the years 1000 and 2000.

What is especially remarkable about Genghis Khan is that he even lived to manhood. His family was abandoned on the harsh steppes of Central Asia. Somehow they managed to survive. Genghis began an upward climb that several times nearly resulted in his death. He overcame those obstacles. Leading one of history’s most remarkable armies, he established one of the largest empires in world history. ... Read more

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This revealing text describes the exciting discovery and deciphering of the 5,000-year-old stone chambers and standing stones of pre-Celtic Ireland. At midwinter sunrise, Martin Brennan and his research partner observed a beam of light shining into the central chamber at Newgrange, illuminating a series of glyphs on the back wall. They went on to observe significant solar and lunar events at other chambers and stone complexes in the Boyne Valley and Loughcrew Mountains. Through a combination of careful observation, analysis of the astronomical alignment of the sites, and personal insight into the meanings of megalithic symbols and carvings, Brennan demonstrates conclusively that the passage mounds and chambers are actually sophisticated calendar devices, and that the abstract wheels, spirals, zigzags, and wavy lines are symbols of solar and lunar timekeeping.   ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The writing on the wall
Originally published as 'The Stars and the Stones' by Thames and Hudson. Brennan's book is part mythology, part art history, and part astronomy and part detective story. This is a truly great read; Brennan takes the reader with him on a quest to unlock the hidden meaning behind some of the oldest man made marks on the planet found among the oldest buildings. Surviving preserved for over 5 thousand years, (predating the pyramids and Stonehenge) the engravings on what archaeologist have called Irish passage tombs point in a very different direction. Brennan weaves his way through ancient myth, astronomy and finally to an interpretation of the art and how that relates to the function of these mounds. In the process he unlocks the code, and reveals that the builders of Newgrange and older Irish megaliths were adept astronomers who recorded their data on the kerb and passage stones of their buildings. He capably demonstrates that these mounds are in fact calindrical devices. Brennan's discoveries (now 30 years old) are still cutting edge. If you are interested in the early intellectual development of man and are tired of hearing about aliens or graves, then here is a solid fascinating book by a pioneer whose conclusions still challenge modern perceptions. Exceptional writing and story telling makes the subject accessible while still giving real depth. A must read. ... Read more

Product Description
This book introduces the reader to Stoicism- a philosophy whose origin lies in ancient Greece but whose relevance, as the reader will discover, has only grown with time. Through a series of short, inspiring essays, Dr. Vernezze furnishes readers with a foundation in Stoic thought as well as a system for applying it to their lives. For readers of all levels, this practical book is chicken soup for the philosophers soul. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not Nearly Enough to Justify the Price
This isn't really a book - it's a series of very short essays on Stoicism. It's far too disjointed to provide a solid introduction to Stoicism, and contains little of interest to those who already know something of Stoic philosophy. If you're interested in an actual book on Stoicism, try William Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy. Not only is it a far better practical guide to Stoicism, it's about half the price and available as a Kindle book.

MOST PRACTICAL STOIC BOOK YET!
This book was charming, and insightful. It just might be the most practical Stoic book out there, because it gives you examples of Stoic living, via pop culture, and down to earth storys. I highly recommend this book if you want to learn how you actually use Stoic precepts in real life.

Highly recommended
This book is well-worth the time and effort to read it. Vernezze takes the topic of Ancient Greek and Roman Stoic philosophy and makes it a highly accessible topic to understand and apply. Stoic philosophy is often misunderstood to be a rational philosophy to the point of being aloof, cold, and detached. Modern usage of the adjective "stoic" usually means a white-knuckled bearing of suffering. Vernezze clearly and capably demonstrates that it is nothing of the sort. It's far more deep, subtle, engaged, and even warm-hearted than most people realize.

Vernezze also draws interesting and sensible comparisons between Stoicism, Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, and Buddhism. Within Positive Psychology, Stoic philosophy is entirely consistent with the goal of eudaimonic well-being. He also touches on the relevance of Stoic philosophy to modern cognitive therapy, which is based on reframing of events. There is also an essay on Rational Emotive Therapy, which was developed by Albert Ellis based largely on the work of Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus.

Vernezze illustrates these points in a number of shorte essays using quotations from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca. He demonstrates just how applicable and practical Stoic philosophy is today as it was 2000 years ago. The writing style is easygoing and warm, despite the depth of the topics discussed. This book is accessible to the layperson, avoiding dense jargon and tedious arguments over minutiae that might appear in a professional academic work. In short, it is helpful, a pleasure to read, and well-worth the investment. ... Read more

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Take a boat trip down ancient Egypt"s crocodile-infested Nile river or a chariot ride through ancient Rome, circa. a.d. 128, and don"t forget to make the customary sacrifice at the altar outside the door before entering the Parthenon in ancient Greece. And, above all, try to avoid becoming a human sacrifice yourself if you dare visit the Aztec temple in Tenochtitlan!Written and organized in the style of a travel guide, this book takes the reader on an amazing tour of the greatest empires of the past and explores what it was really like to be a citizen of these intriguing civilizations. Packed full of useful information for would-be tourists as well as quirky sightseers" tips, this is a stimulating way for children to learn about history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Okay for Elementary School Children
This is good for elementary school children.It is written at a simplistic level with lots of big pictures and scattered with quizzes.You wouldn't be able to write a thorough report for it, but it provides some decent information on Egypt, Greece, Rome, Aztecs and Incas.Nothing about ancient Asia, Africa, or any other of the early foundations of society and civilization. ... Read more

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This is the first completely up-to-date Hmong history book ever written by a member of the Hmong people. It describes the earliest civilizations of the Hmong and Miao in China, and why some of the Hmong migrated into Southeast Asia in the early 19th century, particularly to Vietnam, Laos and Thailand; and how the Hmong of Laos were involved with the Lao civil war, especially the secret war from 1962 to 1975 that caused almost a hundred thousand Hmong to flee to Thailand and Western countries as political refugees after the Communists takeover. This book also includes backgrounds on the current Hmong refugee crisis at Nam Khao refugee camp in Thailand and the arrest of former General Vang Pao by the U.S. authorities. "[It] is full of fascinating materials [and] a wonderful book. Congratulations," commented by Dr Nicholas C. T. Tapp, Senior Fellow in the Department of Anthropology, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, the Australian National University. ... Read more

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From the earliest Greeks to the Trojan War, the rise of Athens and Sparta to the Peloponnesian War, Alexander the Great's conquests to the legacy of Greece, The Ancient Greek World profiles the society that yielded yje first poetry, philosophy, the Olympic Games, and the concept of democracy. Profiles of Homer, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Philip of Macedon are included, along with discussions on ancient Greek childhood and education. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Disappointed
These textbooks have been purchased for 7th grade class in the school where I teach. As a teacher of the ancient history course, I have been very disappointed by the lack of depth in the information presented for students of this age group. I can't begin to imagine using this textbook for tenth grade students, as recommended by the Library Journal in the book description. I think that the reading level is quite simple and possibly below junior high level. Although it grasps the students attention and they enjoy reading it, I find this is because most of the information given is anecdotal rather than providing information that provides a comprehensive view of the ancient world. I am not able to use this textbook as the framework for our study of ancient history. I need to supplement the information with notes from a more complete source of the historical story of the ancient world. Rather than expecting this book to be the backbone of our ancient history study, I think it is more appropriate as a supplementary source.

Greece on the Reader's Digest Scale
Though this book was good in a lot of ways, it was not as complete as I had hoped it would.It covered a lot of the territory that my other books covered but I was looking for more information on the Helenistic World which was influenced and as important as the Classical Period of Greece.That was covered, but I felt like I was reading a Reader's Digest of their times and culture.For those that are just beginning to explore the Ancient World of the Mediterranean, it is good, but does not hold much for someone like me that has more scholarly interests in mind. ... Read more

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The Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II is often referred to as Rameses the Great. He fully lived up to the "Great" part. His reign lasted for 67 years, the second longest in Egypt’s 3,000-year history. He had dozens of wives and more than 100 children, outliving many of them. He was a military leader who expanded the borders of his country. That resulted in decades of peace and prosperity for his people. He ordered huge statues of himself to be erected all over Egypt. Many historians believe that he was the pharaoh of the Exodus, the epic journey that the Jewish people made out of Egypt under the inspired leadership of Moses. Even after death, he remained important. After his mummy was discovered late in the nineteenth century, it became one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions. A military honor guard and important government officials witnessed the mummy when it was flown to Paris in 1976. ... Read more

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In the world that created the Bible, there were no female scholars and theologians, yet in the past four decades, owing to such stunning discoveries as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts, as well as advances in historical understanding and the rise of feminism, a generation of scholars has found new ways to interpret the Scriptures and the societies that created them -- exploring avenues traditionally ignored by male-dominated religious study. Surveying the new scholarship and the personalities of those who have created it, The Word According to Eve not only explores afresh the history of our religions but offers exciting new challenges to our sense of worship.Amazon.com Review
Ever since Eve took that first step down the slippery slopeleading to motherhood and apple pie, women have figured prominently inboth the Bible and in the history of Judeo-Christian religion. Notuntil recently, however, has much attention been paid to theirrole. Until as recently as 1980, the Society of Biblical Literature (asort of Modern Language Association for the theological set) had nothosted a panel discussion about women and the Bible. Much has changedin the ensuing years, with female biblical scholars at last claimingtheir rightful due and gender studies coming to dominate the field. InThe Word According to Eve, Cullen Murphy reports from thefeminist frontlines of theological debate, using portraits of topwomen scholars to illuminate the key issues at stake. The managingeditor of the Atlantic Monthly, Murphy is a lively, funny, andhighly lucid writer, singularly able to make academic theory bothinteresting and accessible and bringing his often quirky subjects tomemorable life. (One noted critic, for instance, seems always to beuttering sentences such as, "I just came across an obscure referenceto selective clitoridectomy for adult women who seem to have masculinedesires" just as the waiter approaches their table.) In the foreword,Cullen suggests that feminism may just be the Bible's "fifthintellectual revolution," after the onset of Judaism, Christianity,the Reformation, and the Enlightenment. Whether they're arguing forwomen's role in writing the Bible or advocating Junia as a femaleapostle, these scholars easily justify his claim. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The kinds of spiritual power women held regardless of any man
Murphy gives a well presented study of women's roles in Judeo-Christian history. His story partly concerns the exclusion of women from formal power. But more importantly it shows the different kinds of power which women have wielded - most often the power to nurture and inspire, rather than the power to control and punish. All of it is well documented and clearly written. For one example, Murphy relates how around the year 900 in Italy, Bishop Atto of Vercelli wrote a letter to one of his priests, a Father Ambrose, answering a question about female church leaders in the past. Father Ambrose had asked why the old church records from the first centuries often mentioned women, with the feminized titles "presbytera" or "diacona". Bishop Atto gave a frank reply:

"... since your wisdom has determined that we ought to decide whether to understand "priestess" or "deaconess" in the canons; it seems to me that since in the primitive church, according to the holy word, "Many are the crops and few the laborers," for the helping of men, even religious women were ordained caretakers in the early church. This is something that blessed Paul points out in his Epistle to Romans ... One understands this because then not only men, but also women were in charge of the churches ... This practice canon 11 of the Laodicean council later prohibits when it says that it is not allowed for these women who are called "priests" or "those presiding" to be ordained in the churches." (p. 181-182.)

So there used to be more work for the church to do. Both men and women were once needed to nurture the world's crop of souls. But since the church achieved power there was not so much to be done, and the female workers were not needed. Therefore imperial church councils such as the synod of Laodicea (ca. 364) had determined to reserve all religious roles for men.

The story continues, telling of the many religious roles which no one could stop women from playing.

-author of Correcting Jesus

Simultaneously exciting and disturbing...
There is plenty in this book that will rile people up.Some passages will have you shouting, "Yes!" and triumphantly pumping your fist.You will be so saddened by others that you are almost nauseated.You'll hate and despise other portions. Whichever you're in the midst of, you'll be thinking.And, that's what this book is...thought provoking.It opens up the field of feminist theology for the lay(wo)man.It is a thorough introductory work that leaves you eager to explore further.You'll be introduced to leaders in the field of feminist theology and their theories.You'll see Bible passages in a way you'd never quite read them before.Be prepared to scribble voluminous notes in the margins.An excellent bibliography will start you off on your bookcase additions and interlibrary loan requests.

This book takes a crowbar to your mind and rips it wide open.And that is a potent definition of a good book...You may love this book, or you might not like it at all -- But you'll be forced to respect it and it's place in religious reading.Highest recommendation...

Intelligent and Entertaining
Murphy's excellently researched book is not only a wealth of information, but an immensely enjoyable read. He writes in a language that entices one to it, keeping us interested at all times.He covers a multitude of issues concering women and the Bible and introduces us to many fasincating women and their life's work, eloquently illustrating their personalities, struggles and achievements. Murphy obviously did his homework and is obviously passionately interested in these issues. He covers it all, offering possibilities, theories, facts and hopes. As well as this he sets the newcomer on an enlightening path by giving many wonderful references and booktitles to search for. I strongly recommend this book to all readers. It is a consise, well written and very interesting read.

Must reading for anyone interested in the Bible!
Anyone interested in the Biblical message should read The Word According to Eve, which offers new, heartening perspectives for us all, women and men alike. A perfect companion to this book is Soul Satisfaction by ElizabethRankin Geitz, a meditation book for women who know that they too, arecreated in the image of God. We need morebooks like these!

Excellent, well written, and informative.
Cullen Murphy provides a nice review of some of the key feminist scholarship related to Christianity. He writes in a clear and interesting manner, which certainly helps present what can be complex ideas.I learneda great deal about the Bible as well as the role of women in the church.Reading this book helped me to come to terms with some aspects ofChristianity that have bothered me by making me feel less alone in mystruggles. I have been lending my copy to friends because I felt so goodafter reading it that I wanted to share that feeling with others. ... Read more

Product Description
This lavishly illustrated history series is nonfiction at its best. With clear, readable text, information-packed illustrations, and a child-friendly design, these books provide exciting insight into life thousands of years ago. Each book includes a fold-out map.

This is an essential guide to life during Greece's golden age. Observe the marvel of the Parthenon, the birth of the first democracy, and history's first Olympic Games, while learning about everyday life in this progressive society. Clear text and stunning illustrations are sure to captivate anyone with a thirst to learn more about this influential chapter of history. ... Read more