Overview
In The First Civilizations, the first volume in Peter Bedrick Books' comprehensive new History of the World series, readers will discover how the first human beings lived, what life was like during the ice age, and how the first farmers used fire to develop new tools and weapons. Readers will journey through the emerging civilizations of Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, Africa, China, and more.
This beautifully illustrated six-volume series introduces children to the important developments in world history in a clear and accessible way. Each book:
•Presents key information in historical order for easy reference.
•Examines the important political, religious, scientific, artistic, and lifestyle developments that have shaped our world.
•Includes timelines on every spread for quick and easy reference.
•Features an insightful quotation on every spread that provides the view of an important historical figure of the time.
Synopsis
In The First Civilizations, the first volume in Peter Bedrick Books' comprehensive new History of the World series, readers will discover how the first human beings lived, what life was like during the ice age, and how the first farmers used fire to develop new tools and weapons. Readers will journey through the emerging civilizations of Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, Africa, China, and more.
This beautifully illustrated six-volume series introduces children to the important developments in world history in a clear and accessible way. Each book:
• Presents key information in historical order for easy reference.
• Examines the important political, religious, scientific, artistic, and lifestyle developments that have shaped our world.
• Includes timelines on every spread for quick and easy reference.
• Features an insightful quotation on every spread that provides the view of an important historical figure of the time.
Children's Literature
Somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000 years ago the first Homo sapiens emerged as what was to become the dominant life form on earth. These early humans lived lives of migratory hunting and gathering. Over the centuries humans evolved into a more settled life style that was primarily based upon agriculture. Settlements became more permanent and cities emerged. Perhaps 6,000 years ago early civilizations began to take root in places such as the Middle East, China, Africa and South America. From these initial civilizations came the beginnings of what we now refer to as culture. It is these early or "first" civilizations that are subjects of this illustrated work. Using an encyclopedic approach, the author presents the emergence of complex societies in places such as Babylonia, Assyria, Egypt, China and Sumeria. Each segment of the book includes a brief historic review, some discussion of cultural habits and keynote events. The use of numerous colorful illustrations augments the concise narrative. This combination of an informative text and many images produces a moderately good introductory look at ancient civilizations and the people who lived in them. Part of the "History of the World" series. 2002, McGraw-Hill, $18.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck