Product Description
The result of years of work by scholars from all over the world, The UNESCO General History of Africa reflects how the different peoples of Africa view their civilizations and shows the historical relationships between the various parts of the continent. Historical connections with other continents demonstrate Africa's contribution to the development of human civilization. Each volume is lavishly illustrated and contains a comprehensive bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

MUST BUY!
This Is not a lightweight book on the ancient africa.All of the countries are covered In detail, but most of It covers Egypt.Still, there Is so much Information you still won't feel cheated.Great pictures adorn each chapter and the biography Is extensive.The history books and hollywood refuse to show the people as they were,- as africans but this one changes that Image. Most of It Is a easy read but If you are lukewarm to african history some of It might not Interest you.Still this book should be purchased by anyone, but especially those with an Interest In African History.

Excellent Reference Book!
This a weighty book which focuses on thecivilizations of africa.There Is a lot of Information and It covers all of ancient africa.I picked up on a lot of things I did not know and others I knew of somewhat but not completly.I highly recomend this book to students or anyone has a Interest In ancient african history.

Valuable Introduction to Ancient African History
This volume of UNESCO's General History of Africa introduces ancient African history for the general student.Much of the work focuses on Egypt, as that great ancient civilization left more records for historiansto work with.But the rest of Africa is not forgotten; indeed, the stateof historical research (which often relies heavily on archeology) is nicelysummarized for all regions in Africa.At times the writing is a bit denseor dry, but these sections may be skimmed or skipped with little loss.Atother times, the work is most enlightening; such as, to take but oneexample, in a section on ethnic origins of the peoples in Madagascar.Thebook substantiates the thesis that the histories of various regions inAfrica are all inter-connected and provides strong support that Africa didindeed contribute to Western civilization.While the work is, in a sense,a defense against racist interpretations of Africa's past, it resistsmaking exaggerated claims.I recommend this work to general students ofAfrican history and secondary education teachers who might wish to add somedepth to their lessons. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume 2 covers the period beginning at the close of the Neolithic era, from around the eighth millenium before our era. This period of some nine thousand years has been sub-divided into four major geographical zones. Chapters 1 to 12 cover the Nile, Egypt and Nubia:by far the largest part of the book is devoted to the ancient civilization of Egypt because of its pre-eminent place in the early history of Africa. Chapters 13 to 16 relate to the Ethiopian highlands. Chapters 17 to 20 describe the Maghrib andits Sahara hinterland, and Chapters 21 to 29 the rest of Africa including some of the Indian Ocean islands. The series is co-published in Africa with seven publishers, in the United States and Canada by the University of California Press, and in association with the UNESCO Press. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume will help the reader to understand the ancient civilizations built by our ancestors all over the world. It outlines the origins of the major religions, and how religions are practiced today. 1

The author takes us through many countries in Africa, first telling us something about their history. We begin in Egypt, then move west across North Africa, as the Moslems did more than 12 centuries ago. Then, we follow the author on an expedition in West Africa. We go on several safaris in Eastern and Southern Africa, sleeping in pup tents. We visit many villages and cities to learn how the people live today. We finish our African journey in South Africa, looking at Apartheid as it was and guess at South Africa's future. The author analyzes the economies of Africa and compares them with Asian countries.

The author then takes us for a long trip across Asia. We begin in Japan, cross over to Korea, and look at much of China's fascinating culture, old and new. We then explore Vietnam and Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat where the guns of Khymer Rouge guerrillas can be heard. We go into the hill country of Laos, visiting fascinating villages along the Mekong River. We learn more about huge Indonesia and then go up the Malay Peninsula to Thailand.Then we visit India and its surrounding countries: Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Next, we go to the Persian Gulf and then to Israel.The author has travelled in much of Israel, Gaza, and the Golan Heights, plus nearby Jordan, Labanon, and Syria.We examine many cultures and learn how they differ so much from cultures in North American and Europe.The author describes many anecdotes with a sense of humor.

The author shares numerous travel hints with the reader, based upon his experiences in some 130 countries and four extensive trips around the world.This volume ends with the author's observations of major problems in the world and in the U.S.A., and what we can do to help solve them.We learn how the population explosion in this century has caused many problems as well as magnifying others.

This work is not a guidebook of the world. There is no attempt to analyze hotels or restaurants, or particular excursions that are available. Each of us has preferences. Others may want to see other aspects of a city or country that the author missed. However, anyone planning a trip to a particular country should find it helpful to first read what the author has written here about that country.

More people are traveling and trading abroad than ever before. Our homes are full of merchandise from all over the world. Our newspapers and TV news programs tell us what is going on in far away places. But we need an in-depth knowledge about a country to interpret those events and happenings.You can acquire knowledge about the details of many countries without taking the time and spending money to go there. Simply read this series! ... Read more

Product Description
History of Africa - Prehistoric Central North Africa,African archaeology, History of West Africa, Bantuexpansion, Early Congolese history, Congo Free State,History of the Republic of the Congo, Early historyof SouthAfrica, History of South Africa, History of Namibia,Historyof Botswana, History of North Africa, Nome (Egypt),AncientEgypt, Kerma, Nubia, Carthage, Meroë, Ancient Libya,Alexandria, European exploration of Africa, African slavetrade, Colonisation of Africa, Scramble for Africa,BerlinConference (1884), Decolonization of Africa, East Africa,North Africa, Southern Africa, African Empires, Economichistory of Africa, Legends of Africa, Pan-Africanism ... Read more

Product Description
Family Newsletter (English & Spanish). Reading Skill and Strategy. Skillbuilder Practice. Vocabulary Study Guide. Vocabulary Cards. Geography Practice. Primary Sources. Literature Selections. Reteaching Activities. Answer Key. 41 pages. ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 8 to 14 years.From the first hunting and gathering societies to the great Nubian kingdoms of Kush, Africa has for centuries been the centre of great cultural activity across its mountains, deserts, and rainforests. Life in Ancient Africa portrays the major civilisations of the ancient African era using maps and beautiful full-colour photographs and illustrations. Topics include: Zimbabwe, Aksum, Meroe, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai; the rise of hundreds of regional dialects; pyramids, temples, royal tombs, and palaces; irrigation and other farming techniques; Trans-Sahara caravan routes and trade with the rest of the world; the discovery of mineral resources; an oral storytelling culture; music and dance. ... Read more

Product Description
First Civilizations is an introductory overview of the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. It was conceived primarily for students who have little or no knowledge of ancient history or archaeology. The book begins with the role of history and archaeology in understanding the past, and continues with the origins of agriculture and the formation of the Sumerian city-states in Mesopotamia. Three subsequent chapters concentrate on Assyrian and Babylonian history and culture. The second half of the book focuses on Egypt, beginning with the physical environment of the Nile, the formation of the Egyptian state and the Old Kingdom. Subsequent chapters discuss the Middle Kingdom, the Hyksos period, and the 18th Dynasty, with space devoted to Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, the Ramesside period. The text ends with the Persian conquest of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

First Civilizations also contains sections on astronomy, medicine, architecture, eschatology and burial practices, mummification, religion and discusses the myths of Gilgamesh, Isis and Osiris. Each chapter has a basic bibliography which emphasizes English language encyclopedias, books and journals specializing in the ancient Near East. ... Read more

Product Description
Here in superb color photographs is the visual experience of a journey along the Nile. Egypt's monuments and treasures--the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara and the temples and tombs of Thebes--are visited, as are the less well-known sites and cities of the Delta, the Faiyum, Sinai, and Nubia. The accompanying text gives an overview of five thousand years of Egyptian history from the first pharaohs to the modern Arab republic. Each location is illustrated by a site plan and photographs not only of the principal structures but also of objects from the site, allowing these extraordinary works of art to be appreciated in their original setting. Specially commissioned cross-sectional diagrams, a double fold-out map of the Nile's course, and an illustrated glossary complete this panoramic study of Egyptian civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Well worth the Money
I purchased this book for my husband for his birthday.We traveled to Egypt earlier in the year and he wanted a coffee tablebook with both history, diagrams and photographs of the places we visited as a memento of our travels there..I looked everywhere, including Egypt and couldn't find anything comprehensive or of good quality until I came across this one.

There are hundreds of beautiful photographs, diagrams of tombs, explanations of building techniques, and history about all of the major (and many less known) archeological finds in Egypt.Absolutely the best out there.I highly recommend it.

Cellars of Books were fantastic about safely getting me this beautiful out-of-print book in time for El Jeffe's birthday!

EXTREMELY PLEASANT PICTURE BOOK
I will not add too much to what the other reviewers have opined on this magnificent book.It is gorgeously illustrated with superior photographs and interesting drawings and geographical overviews.

It is the perfect book to get anyone interested in the never-endingtreasures to be found in Egypt.The large-format size and the several fold-outs only add to the many and varied pleasures to be found in this book.

Also, it is somewhat scholarly and has some very useful timelines and genealogies.

Highly recommended to all Egyptophiles and lovers of antiquity alike.

Tim Wingate, CANADA

i drool whenever i look at this book
i don't have this book yet. i have already told hubby that he's getting it for me for valentines. everytime i go into the bookstore, i take it off the shelf and spend about a half hour just leafing through it and looking at the pictures. if you are not sure whether you want to put out the money to buy this book, do yourself a favor and see if they have a copy at the bookstore and look through it. i know you'll be convinced that it's worth the price. i plan on ordering my book rather than buying it off the shelf. there are several fold out sections in the book and i want to make sure they are in good shape. the pictures of the temples and tombs in the book are great. also lots of maps. i admit, i'm an egyptology geek, but i think anyone who is interested in egypt will enjoy this book. if egypt is a hobby/passion, this book is a must have. i know it's a bit pricey, but you're payig for a book full of fantastic color photographs and you defintiely get what you are playing for. you get your money's worth with this book. my only regret is that i have to wait 6 weeks til i can have my copy in my hot lil' hands. :)

Splendid book on Egypt's splendors
I first saw this book after a four-week trip to Egypt, where our travels included as much as we could see between the relocated monument Ramses II built in honor of himself at Abu Simbel to the vicinity of El-Qahira (Cairo) and its monuments and museums. This book is the one I have chosen to "keep my memories fresh" and share them with others- it is that good, and more. The illustrations are brilliant; the informative text is thorough and illuminating without being pedantic or burying the photos and drawings. I only wish the Cairo Museum had books as good as this one! If you love Egypt, this book will live an active life on your coffee table.

beautifully illustrated
The book contains over 300 magnificent photographs and illustrations of Egypt's monuments, treasures, archaeological discoveries and travelers. The reader will see the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Faiyum, the Sinai,the Strait of Tiran, Nubia, Tanis, Esna, Luxor, Karnak, Philae, Dendera,Abu Simbel, Deir el-Bahri, the Valley of the Queens, Edfu, Kom Ombo and theValley of the Kings, and will identify Ernesto Schiaparelli, AugusteMariette, Jean-François Champollion and Howard Carter, among many famousdiscoverers. A history of this fascinating civilization, from ancient tomodern Egypt, is included, as well as reconstructions of tombs, abibliography and a glossary. For everyone to own. ... Read more

Product Description
The first edition of this book provided teachers of African history, for the first time, with fully annotated translations of the most important Greek and Roman sources for the history of these two remarkable ancient African civilizations. The new edition retains all of the features that made the first edition so successful while significantly expanding the coverage of the history of Kush and Axum. The illustration program has been revised, new translations have been added including recently discovered Nubian and Axumite royal documents, and a new chapter treats the origins of the kingdom of Kush and its relations with Egypt and Persia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A few reviews for Kush and Axum
"Stanley Burstein has researched, compiled, and translated with commentary the most significant Greek and Roman sources concerning Black Africa. The result is a fascinating book about the people of the southern part of the Nile Valley, the gold mines of Nubia, the Hellenistic city of Meroë, capital of the Ethiopian Empire of Kush with its own highly developed culture (300 bc to 300 ad). This book is a masterpiece of scholarship and historical research."
-Midwest Book Review

"The ancient kingdoms of Kush and Axum were reflections of ancient Egypt to the north, but with the collapse of Egypt, Kush flourished and then gave way to Axum. . . . Burstein opens the volume with a brief survey of the two kingdoms; with introductions and important notes he then presents the ancient literary and epigraphical testimony for this region. . . . A brief bibliography and photographs aid this significant volume."
-Choice

" . . . an important contribution to Black Africa."
-Choice
"Kush (Nubia) and Axum have received less attention from ancient historians than the other African civilizations with whom the Greeks and Romans came into contact (and conflict). This source book of ancient texts in English translation will help students become better aware of how the so-called Aethiopians who lived in Northeast Africa differed from their better-known neighbors the Egyptians. The twenty-six texts collected here are all readily accessible to students with a basic knowledge of ancient Egyptian, Greek, or Roman civilization. . . . Each text is presented with a brief introduction setting it into its historical context, and additional essential information is provided in endnotes, where the names of the authors and their dates are given . . . . There is a useful select bibliography."

--Classical World 92.4 (1999)

A mixed bag
This book is a collection of some 27 historical documents that deal with the ancient and medieval African nations of Kush and Axum. The first two documents are drawn from Strabo's Geography, while later ones are from similar Greek, Roman and Christian travelers, and also various letters, treaties and inscriptions. Also, there is even a contract for the sale of a Nubian slave girl!

As one might expect from the nature of this book, it is a mixed bag. Some of the documents are quite fascinating and informative, while others did not interest me in the least. So, if you are looking for a book on the history of Kush and Axum, you will need to look elsewhere. But, if you are interested in historical documents on these nations, then this would be an excellent book for you to read. ... Read more