Reviews (1)

Incredible story of a lost time and hidden army
When farmers digging a well in 1974 discovered some statues buried in the ground in the countryside near Xi'an, central China, it wasn't really that unusual.Bits of statuary and broken pottery had been discovered through that area for many years.What was unusual, however, was the fact that there weren't just a few statues buried in the ground; there were literally THOUSANDS of them.A whole, vast army of terra-cotta soldiers, horses, and chariots spanned a size greater than 5 football fields, all buried for over 2,000 years.

One of the better-known recent events in archeological history was the discovery of the Qin army, buried during the reign of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi.Thousands of life-sized statues, richly detailed and no two exactly alike, were buried by during the first part of his reign.During his life, Qin was on a constant quest to find an elixir of life that would allow him to live forever.Archeologists believe that the army was made to protect the Emperor in the afterlife, should he not find that elixir during his lifetime.

A beautiful and fascinating book, "China's Buried Warriors" is richly illustrated with photographs from the digs.Though they have lost their original coats of paint and are all an earthy brown, each warrior looks profoundly ALIVE, as if he is ready to spring into action at a moments notice.It's almost spooky to see so many determined, read-for-action faces staring out at the reader from the pages.

Additional information, such as ancient Chinese history, the system of writing, and theories on how the statues were made is interspersed throughout the book.This information helps the reader who may not be familiar with all areas of Chinese history or archeology.The reader comes away with a profound notion of how long it must have taken to make these statues, as well as unearth them (you cannot simply use a shovel to dig them up, the author reminds us, they must be painstakingly dug out with hand trowels, brushes and small picks).

Most books on archaeology leave a reader cold and bored, especially a young reader.What's so interesting about a bunch of clay statues??"China's Buried Warriors" clearly is not in the ho-hum, humdrum league of most archaeological writings.The enthusiasm and excitement the author has for the subject is immediate from the very first page, and leads the reader ever onward through the narrative.

As a teacher, I've used this book in social studies as a springboard to a great number of topics:China, the past, rulers and emperors, writing, and even death and dying.The text is written clearly and flows evenly from one topic to another.However, very young or beginning readers may have difficulty decoding some of the Chinese words and names.

As an introduction or addition to archeology and the study of past human cultures, I can't recommend this book highly enough!!An excellent work! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Syria - Reviewed by Hans Knight
Once in a while, not very often, a book intended to give our young a whiff of world history turns out to be a bravura piece of mini-literature. This is the case with Chelsea House's "Syria," the latest of a series about the creation of the Modern Middle East.

In a lamentably brief space - 145 pages - it covers the Arab country's tortuous path from its subjugation by the Ottomon Empire at the dawn of the 16th century through its domination by the French in the modern era and on to its tenuous independence.

Steeped in Biblical lore, buffeted by the intractable winds of politics, religion and bloody military ventures, the nation of some nine million economically deprived people faces a precarious future as it stumbles into the 21st century. This might have been encapsulated in a dry and bewildering collection of dates and facts typical of many "primers." Here, oft-told tales and ghostly, half-forgotten faces spring to new life.

Historical background and evenhanded analysis alternate with bangup action.
The disastrous wars with Israel, the draconian rule of Hafez Assad, the riveting personalities of the great-hearted Saladin, the far-seeing King Feisal, yes, and the young Winston Churchill - it's all there, deftly integrated into the crazy-quilt of the Middle East.

The book is buttressed by a searching introduction by Islamic scholar Akbar
Ahmed and by a remarkably mesmeric gallery of photogaphs, some more than a century old.

But its main power rests in the narrative.
Author John Morrison, a noted Philadelphia journalist and poet, combines the terse, vivid style of a hugely gifted reporter with the dimension and color of a lyricist. Thus: "Just five feet, five-and-a-half inches tall, he was a little man. But he was as strong and tough as an Arabian saddle, and he had the endurance of a desert camel. In fact, it was said he could jump from a galloping camel while holding a heavy rifle, and hop back on again in midstride....He was....best known as Lawrence of Arabia."

You don't have to be a callow teen to savor this "Syria." -- Hans Knight ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent
Ms. Liberman is a fine writer, and this long-awaited survey of Azerbaijan is a real treat, a riveting tale of this fascinating land. 3 cheers!! Highly recommended. ... Read more