I love this book. At the time it came out, and still even today, it is an excellent introduction to the beginnings of civilization in the Near East and the Mediterranean. Dividing the period roughly into life spans, and adopting a different persona for each life, the reader gets an invaluable sense of how long things take to happen. While probably challenged by now on many of its findings, as it was published in 1961, it is still a wonderful technique for the writer, lecturer or film maker to pursue. ( )

Terribly outdated, but entertaining depiction of civilization in the 2nd millennium BC. Author is not afraid to use his imagination where records are lacking (as they mostly are). One of those little gems picked up for loose change in a secondhand bookshop or bookfair that's worth its weight in gold. ( )

This is a somewhat dated but quite delightful overview of [Old World] civilization between 2000 and 1000 BCE, including little hist-fic portraits of one moment in time and space from each century surveyed. ( )