I've long been fascinated by Sumer, "Land Between the Two Rivers," in what is now modern-day Iraq. It is possibly the world's oldest civilization, with the earliest form of writing, some of the oldest cities, and earliest uses of agriculture. Sumerian literature and legal codes might be the source for much of Hebrew scripture, such as the Creation and Flood narratives. Recently, when I was reading a book of women poets, I learned that Princess En-khedu-anna of Sumer, a priestess and poet, (briefly mentioned in Woolley's book) has been accredited as the first author we know by name.

So obviously Sumer has a unique fascination as a root for human civilization. Yet I found little in bookstores--this seemed the one book I could find actually focused on Sumer. There is no introduction to this book, and no clue on the back cover as to date, and the title page says only that this edition was first published in 1965. I was disappointed to find out online this was first published in 1929. (It's age was particularly evident in how the book treats "race" and "decadence.") Unfortunately, looking at the books tagged "Sumer" on Librarything I can't find a book much more recent or authoritative--the only books higher on the list are apparently 50 years old.

Woolley, on the other hand, at least can be said to have known his stuff. He led the excavation of Ur of the Chaldees that established it was 3,500 years old, rivaling ancient Egypt in antiquity. I'm not sorry I bought the book and have decided to keep it on my bookshelves. It's loaded with maps and illustrations and there are tantalizing details, such as the existence of a woman ruler, Ku-Bau (Kubaba) of Kish on the Sumerian king-lists and the fascinating figure of Sargon of Akkad, with a claim to have ruled the first empire. Wooley points out that the Sumerians had such features of architecture as the arch, the vault, the dome that wouldn't be seen in the West for thousands of years. And many of the details of Sumerian society, however dryly presented, were intriguing. So, although I was at times frustrated not to have a more current book, still I think worth a read if you're interested in this ancient civilization, and this did whet my appetite for more. And if anyone has any suggestions on what to read next about these fascinating people, I'd sure be open to suggestions. ( )

A good book to start with.

Wooley was quite a personality --there are intreresting references to him in Agatha Christie's autobiography, though his claim that Sumerian culture was 2000 years older than Egyptian I think is exaggerated, judging by recent Scorpion King discoveries. ( )

Old and aged, but an important, important contribution to our understanding of the Bible and ancient history. Woolley was a pioneer. ( )