Updated by Peter Mitchell. The history, geography, and cultures of these ancient civilizations are briefly introduced in double-page spreads illustrated with maps, photographs, and drawings. The presentation can be disjointed and some complex issues are glossed over, but readers mainly interested in browsing will uncover some fascinating tidbits. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Gr 5-8-Good overviews of ancient civilizations utilizing an atlas format as a guide for organization. Topical spreads address political, cultural, and historical subjects. In Rome, Corbishley covers its founding to the reign of Diocletian. A chapter on Pompeii and its destruction is included. Information on architecture and typical towns and villas provides a glimpse of Roman life. Major cities of the provinces are also mentioned. Egypt begins with 3100 B.C.E. and ends with the coming of the Romans. Detailed descriptions of the treasures of Tutankhamon and the city of Memphis are particularly interesting. Greece includes a brief history from the Minoan civilization to the Roman conquest. Discussions of Athens, Sparta, Philip of Macedon, and Alexander the Great are also included. The Olympic games, religion, daily life and the role of women, as well as discussions of the Akropolis and the sculptures of the Parthenon, will heighten readers' interest. In all three titles, some information has been updated and new illustrations, including digital maps, added. Color drawings, photographs, and maps elucidate the texts. A table of dates provides a visual correlation of the time periods for historical events, art, architecture, and literature. Insets in the chapters offer additional information, especially historical periods. These books are valuable for research and for a brief overview of the history of these civilizations.-Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.