This is an excellent introduction to Ancient Sumeria. Easy to read while not being too simplistic. I'm sure much has changed in the fifty years since it was released, however I didn't notice any glaring mistakes. Overall I quite enjoyed my little trip to the Cradle of Civilization. ( )

Continuing my course through World History, and specifically the Ancient World, this Read Your Library selection covers the "Cradle of Civilization," Mesopotamia.

Starting with nomads who settled the area and started farming, we find in Mesopotamia the first examples of modern civilization, along with a pre-Flood society that would make way for the next.

In Mesopotamia we see the earliest examples of art, architecture, writing, law, religion, mythology and folklore, and education. This society has influenced all that came after it, and is one of the most important archaeological finds ever. This book guides the reader through the story of how the sites were found, what was found, and what that tells us about early Mesopotamia and the way the people there lived. The written records they kept, once the cuneiform was deciphered, tells us a great deal about their religion, their mythology, their system of law, their system of monarchs, and even the goods and services available. We also find early examples of later-adapted Biblical stories such as the Flood, the Tower of Babel (Babylon), Job, the Song of Solomon, and even similar elements to the creation myth. ( )

i know time--life books are cheesy but i like this series. i found out a lot about mesopotamia. they invented the wheel, writing, bible stories, school, organized religion and culture in general. ( )

Time-Life's look at the most ancient of civilizations, the areas of the cities of Sumer, Babylonia and Assyria. Much of the book is an explanation of the archaeological techniques used. These books are wonderful at making dry history accessible and fascinating, and it's even better when the period in question is as fascinating as this one. Roughly from 9000 to 500 b.c. ( )