Kerrigan, Michael. Ancients in Their Own Words.

Kerrigan, Michael Egyptians
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2011 64p 26.22
978-1-60870-064-6 ms/hs ancient Egypt VG-BNS Ancients in Their Own Words(MC)


Several stelas and tablets dating from ancient Egypt are described in detail, and placed in the context of historical events. This book is well researched and attractively presented, with fascinating writing after writing from ancient Egypt exerpted and placed in its historical context. The history of heiroglyphic writing and its discovery in the 19th century is explained so that a middle-school child will understand it. The illustrations and explanatory fact boxes help to further clarify each concept. The timeline in the back of the book is also very helpful.
Alas, there are a few typographical errors. (On page 12, line 5, "largesty", on page 42, in the caption below the photo of Osiris, "know" instead of "known".)
This book would be an invaluable asset to any class studying ancient Egypt and Egyptology. Kennedy, Carol

Kerrigan, Michael Mesopotamians
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2010 64p 32.79
978-1-60870-066-0 ms/jr VG-BNS Ancients in Their Own Words(MC)


Primary sources bring ancient the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia to life. Ancient cultures may seem remote to contemporary readers. But the written records left behind by people living in those times -- also known as primary sources -- makes history immediate and real. It is easier to connect with ancient peoples when records they wrote themselves bring to life their everyday experiences.

Readers will find Nebuchadnezzar╒s boasts of conquest and greatness, the earliest medical manual, and the legend of Sargon (founder of Mesopotamia), and other accounts of myths, religious beliefs, everyday experiences come to life through the written word which survived over millenia.
A history of the alphabet and cuneiform (which predated paper records) is provided along with a brief history of Mesopotamia, the ancient land in the Middle East stretching through what is now Irag and into Syria, and caught between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Among the earliest civilizations, students of history will appreciate this unique volume, which is further enhanced with a glossary, chronology, index, and suggested additional information sources. Welliver, Hilary

Ancient Greece.

Caper, William. Ancient Greece.

Capstone Publishers 2010 112p 29.32

You Choose: Historical Eras(Capstone)

978-1-4296-3417-5 elm/ms E-BNS

Explore life in Ancient Greece by choosing the role of different people from Athens or Sparta. Along the way you must choose which action the character will take. With each decision the story changes. You Choose. In this You Choose history adventure, the reader chooses to live in either Athens or Sparta in the 400’s BCE. Within these two choices, the reader must make other choices. In Athens the reader may be a government official, a sculptor, or a philosopher. In Sparta, the reader may choose to be a soldier, merchant or near slave.
Further choices are presented as the story progresses. The reader can go back and change their choice as many times as they like. Introductory and concluding chapters tie it all together.
This is an exciting way for students to learn about history. By reading about the lives of different characters, the student gets a wider appreciation for the historical time period.
This title is excellent for interdisciplinary cooperation between Language Arts and Social Studies. Theal, Joan