The Illustrated History of the World (11-Volume Set) |
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You Are Here: Home > History Books > Chile History > Item 282
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The Illustrated History of the World (11-Volume Set)
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by J. M. Roberts
Sales Rank: 768346
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List Price: $375.00
$327.38
At Amazon
on 8-6-2008.
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Features
Cover Type: Hard Cover with 1968 pages
Published by: Oxford University Press, USA October 9, 2000
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 0195216989
ISBN 13 Number: 978-0195216981
Book Dimensions:
12.6 x 10.2 x 9.3 inches
Weighs: 27.7 pounds
From Booklist
This history covers the time period from prehistory to 1997. It is notable for its many time lines, charts, maps, drawings, illustrations, and photographs, which complement the text and bring it to life.
The set is a revision of History of the World (1976) by Roberts, a British historian, professor, editor, and author. He points out that any history of the world must be selective. In this one he has tried "to set our events, movements, determining facts and circumstances which have shaped most human lives." He emphasizes the most significant civilizations and tells their stories in all their interconnectedness, highlighting their most important contributions. The tone is optimistic, stressing human power to manage nature, overcome obstacles, and bring about conscious change.
Primary arrangement is chronological by volume, with the chapters within each volume combining a thematic and geographic approach. For example, volume one, Prehistory and the First Civilizations, includes chapters on "Early Civilized Life," "Ancient Mesopotamia," and "Ancient Egypt." Some topics covered in "Ancient Egypt" are Mesopotamian influence, the role of the Nile, agriculture, religion, death and burial, hieroglyphic writing, the invention of papyrus, and the pyramids, as well as political topics, individuals, and the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. These topics are covered with little detail, however. The significance of hieroglyphic writing is related in one long paragraph, but there are no details or illustrations of how it is done. Each volume has its own index and contents list, in addition to a series contents page telling the time periods and events covered in each volume. There is no cumulative index.
Roberts' goal of telling the main points of civilizations leads to his coverage being less detailed than sets it can be compared to, such as Time Life's Time Frame (1987^-1999) and Lost Civilizations (1992^-1999), or History of the Ancient and Medieval World [RBB O 15 97] and History of the Modern World (see review on p.1491). However, it gives a broad view and does lead to a quick identification of the main facts, which is often very useful. Its distillation of topics makes it valuable for younger readers, from the fifth grade through high school, and for this group it would be valuable both as a reference set and as circulating volumes. The fact that each volume can stand alone also makes it appropriate for the circulating collection for adults.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Review
"Notable for its many time lines, charts, maps, drawings, illustrations, and photographs, which complement the text and bring it to life. Gives a broad view and does lead to a quick identification of the main facts. Its distillation of topics makes it valuable for younger readers, from the fifth grade through high school, and for this group it would be valuable both as a reference set and as circulating volumes. The fact that each volume can stand alone also makes it appropriate for the circulating collection for adults."--Booklist
"Roberts presents the human story in a style that is easy to absorb. Each volume contains a full index, a chronology, and a detailed description of each chapter's contents. Useful to both students and the general reader with an interest in history, this is recommended for school and public libraries."--Library Journal
"A thorough history of the world The text has been extensively updated and numerous black-and-white and full-color photographs and illustrations have been added. Though packed with information, the pages look clean and uncluttered, and it's easy to find a quick bit of information on a certain period or person. An exemplary work."--School Library Journal
"You can take 50 books off the library shelves and replace them with the Illustrated History of the World."--John Clark, Boothbay Harbor Library, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Reader Reviews
This review is from: Rome and the Classical West (The Illustrated History of the World, Volume 3) (Hardcover)
Rome and the Classical West is volume three of a ten volume series called The Illustrated History of the World. The first volume covered the origins of the human race through the first civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The second volume in the series reviewed the early cultures of India and China and then moved on to discuss Greek civilization. This third volume covers the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, from 800 BCE to 600 CE. The book is filled with beautiful color illustrations. Every page has at least one and most are photographs of artifacts, art works, or scenes. The text is well written and emphasizes brief summaries rather than scholarly examination. This makes it a good basic introduction and outline, but may be less useful to someone who wants to look at these subjects in greater depth. The lack of any bibliography of further readings is also a drawback for those wanting to seek more information. A two-page time chart of the period helps to put events in perspective. The chapter contents are confusingly placed at the end of the book, but they are well done and helpful for getting an overview of the author's approach. A two page listing of all the books in the series with their section and chapter titles helps to put the material into the broader view of all world history. If you want an entertaining introduction to the beginnings of the Roman Empire, its relationship to the Greek civilization, the rise of the Ceasars, the role of Judaism and the birth of Christianity, the division into East and West, the Christianization of the Empire, and its final demise in the West, this is a great book to read. I learned the difference between Visigoths and Ostragoths and why Germanic peoples are called Arians. There is a great discussion of St. Augustine's influence, the rise of the Roman Catholic church, and the division between it and the Byzantine church. The type face is large and the lines are amply spaced. Couple this with the copious illustrations and the book is actually a very quick read for its size and length. It is a few steps above the approach of Dorling Kindersley books that are predominately illustrations with supporting text. With Roberts, the text is the major part, but the illustrations are definitely more than an after thought. This is a good introduction for the general reader. It is not going to be a lasting reference book that you will turn to again and again. Read it once and move on.
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The Illustrated History of the World (11-Volume Set)
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Price: $327.38
Updated on 8-6-2008.
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