Grade 6-9-Good-quality full-color photographs, reproductions, drawings, and maps combine with lucid texts to create informative and attractive research sources on ancient cultures. The Ancient Hebrews discusses the social and religious history of the Jewish people and its influence on modern Judaism, and touches on the relationship between present-day Israel and Arab countries. Mesopotamia examines the social structure and cultural history of that area and the legacy the people have left to the modern world. Clarice Swisher's The Ancient Near East (Lucent, 1995) offers a more detailed study of Mesopotamian cultures but with black-and-white images. Sidebars provide additional information on the language, literature, law, and beliefs of both societies. Helpful glossaries and time lines are also included. Eye-catching, useful titles for collections needing historical material about the Middle East. Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr 6-8--Two attractive and informative series titles. Galvin presents a colorful portrait of Mayan art, poetry, religion, language, and way of life. Even reluctant readers can follow the fascinating narrative with interest. Mayan stonework and hieroglyphs are discussed, as are the development of three separate calendars and the study of astronomy. Millar looks at the Benin, which was the most spectacular kingdom of West Africa 500 years ago. She gives an overview of its history including the fact that slavery was rampant there even before Europeans came to the African coast. The author goes on to describe their belief system in gods, witches, ghosts, magic, and sacrificial rites. Both books have good-quality, full-color, captioned photographs on nearly every page. They predominantly depict ruins and artifacts, but also show modern-day members of each culture engaged in traditional ceremonies and everyday activities. Interesting research and learning tools.
More than 100 compelling, true stories of personal heroismand valor– in a special expanded edition honoring courage in theface of war Here are dramatic accounts of the fearless actions thatearned American soldiers in Vietnam our highest militarydistinction–the Medal of Honor. Edward F. Murphy, head of the Medalof Honor Historical Society, re-creates the heroic acts ofindividual soldiers from official documents, Medal of Honorcitations, contemporary accounts, and, where possible, interviewswith survivors. Complete with a list of all Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients, thisbook offers a unique perspective on the war–from the early days ofU.S. involvement through the return home of the last soldiers. Itpays a fitting tribute to these patriotic, selfless souls.
On April 29, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army is spotted lessthan four miles from the U.S. Marines’ Dong Ha Combat Base. Intensefighting develops in nearby Dai Do as the 2d Battalion, 4thMarines, known as “the Magnificent Bastards,” struggles to ejectNVA forces from this strategic position. Yet the BLT 2/4 Marines defy the brutal onslaught. Pressingforward, America’s finest warriors rout the NVA from theirfortress-hamlets–often in deadly hand-to-hand combat. At the end oftwo weeks of desperate, grinding battles, the Marines and theinfantry battalion supporting them are torn to shreds. But againstall odds, they beat back their savage adversary. The MagnificentBastards captures that gripping conflict in all its horror, hell,and heroism. “Superb . . . among the best writing on the Vietnam War . . .Nolan has skillfully woven operational records and oral historyinto a fascinating narrative that puts the reader in the thick ofthe action.” –Jon T. Hoffman, author of Chesty “
