"Early Roman History has been ignored by the English speaking world." With this comment Tim Cornell embarks on a rectification of this sorry state of affairs. Somehow, he makes less of a case as to why we SHOULD study this history. Most of the data is very sketchy and speculative. Statements abound with "the best we can tell", "it would appear that", "the evidence suggests". He amply covers the main controversies and takes a healthy skeptical view of just about any conclusions. With that in mind, it's hard not to admire his effort; though time (and archeaology) will hopefully rectify the little we know about Rome before the Punic Wars. ( )