The Decline and Fall of Ancient Greece

KLIATT

Each title in this series examines a pivotal period in history by presenting "a group of essays chosen for their accessibility" to young adults. Introductions in each volume provide an overview of the topic, and excerpts from articles and books are preceded by brief summaries of their authors' often-conflicting arguments. Appendices include relevant documents. American Slavery, for example, offers essays organized under five broad chapter headings: Origins of American Slavery; Slavery in the American Revolution; A House Divided: American Slavery in the Antebellum Era; Civil War and the End of American Slavery; and Was the Civil War Necessary to End Slavery? Within each chapter there are between two and six articles or excerpts, on subjects ranging from "Social Tensions Within Southern Plantation Society" to "How Slaves Responded to their Emancipation" to "War Was Not Necessary to End American Slavery." The authors, mainly history professors, provide a wide range of opinions that will help students hone their critical thinking skills. Discussion questions round off the book, along with an appendix of documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation and a chronology. Valuable for history classes as well as for high school and public libraries. Titles coming in 2001 include Ancient Egyptian Civilization, The Early Middle Ages, The End of Ancient Rome, The Holocaust, The Inquisition, and The Vietnam War. (Early Civilizations) KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Greenhaven Press, 272p, 99-36891, 23cm, bibliogs, indexes, $14.96. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-This anthology covers the struggle of ancient Greece in its attempt to become a unified empire, its contributions to the ancient world, and its ultimate demise. The contributors include well-known historians and each of the essays or excerpts from larger works has a brief introduction that summarizes its argument. Entries address such topics as politics, military, social, and cultural conditions. Additionally, this book also provides a chronology, excerpts from primary documents, an extensive list of ancient and modern sources for further reading, and a thorough index. This excellent title is organized with researchers in mind and gives concrete examples of writing to support a thesis. Unfortunately there are no illustrations or maps. Although the value of this book lies in its information for reports, anyone interested in the subject will find the text fascinating.-Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.