Substantial criticisms and laudatory comments already have been made by persons much more knowledgeable than me about the times and subjects encompassed by this heavy and unwieldy book. Despite an abundance of tasty "low-hanging fruit" and numerous fascinating illustrations, the countless "facts" (offered as gospel) are not woven into an elegant and convincing fabric. The book essentially is a hodgepodge -- an agglomeration of index-card jottings amassed over a number of years, I surmise. We really can't see the forest for the trees here, notwithstanding that a great many trees evidently are missing. So, neither engrossing nor very useful as a reference. It's main virtue: not expensive. Read more

in beautiful shape, better than expected and advertised Read more

Bought for a friend becasue I would not loan her mine. This is a great book on Rome. Get it Read more

I was looking for a book about what Romans were about and this book shook me with how contemporary life, the divide between the ultra rich and the rest is so similar to 2000 years ago. Read more

What could be more timely than the issue of privacy, especially in this era of government invasion of our most personal right and widespread use of social media that seems to willingly relinquish it. This history, starting with this and expanding to currently five volumes, reveals in extensive detail and hugely informative illustrations, how the concept has been perceived and treated. Beautifully written. Given the unprecedented change in our century, I hope for a volume six. Read more