The Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World (Internet-Linked) by Jane Bingham

The Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World (Internet-Linked) Reviews

• 
  Katerina

  As someone who loves, and enjoys history, I would recommend this book to not only young students but adults as well. I can not express how much I love ancient history and sometimes it is hard to get into history readings due to the dense books that are out there. That is why I gave the Encyclopedia of the Ancient World a 5/5 star rating not only was the history broken down into perfect sections but it was also fairly easy to follow along.
  
  I loved the explicit detail that went into the photographs as well as the mythology within the books. I couldn't recommend this book enough. If you are looking for a history book that not only is easy to follow along but will enjoy this is the book for you.
• 
  Amy T.

  This was our "spine" text for our literature-based study of ancient history through Beautiful Feet books. It covers a wide range of topics for three main eras: Mesopotamian cultures, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome.
• 
  Ebookwormy1

  We used this book in connection with Susan Wise Bauer's excellent "Story of the World", which we listened to on audio (see separate review). For our purposes, I would give it 4 stars, as the captivating visual images and internet links were perfect for the enhancement of "Story of the World". However, as a stand alone, I would rank it more in the 3 star range as giving a very basic overview of the ancient world, with some inconsistency in the links.
  
  The gem of this work is the internet links which are updated by Usborne so that you don't have to keep searching for them. Some of the links were advanced beyond our preschool level study, which is wonderful to give us room to grow. Most of the links worked well, but there were a few that we couldn't get to work, or that required annoying installation of additional software.
  
  This book is offered by Scholastic as a stand alone with a red/ orange/ yellow cover. It is also offered as part of a full world history encyclopedia. I've browsed the full world encyclopedia at curriculum sales and I have to say I immensely prefer this format for two reasons: 1) The World Encyclopedia is incredibly bulky for preschool and elementary students to handle, and 2) and far more significant, the World Encyclopedia includes and entire section on origins of mankind that ISN'T history, but more science and philosophy. This is not needed for history, and the large section seemed superfluous and, quite frankly rather annoying, as it presents an evolutionary view with which we are not in agreement. If you want that, great. But if not, stick to buying the little book installments.
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  Update 2011
  In connection with Tapestry of Grace homeschool program, I ordered this book through their bookstore Bookshelf Central.com
  
  I am happy to report that while the cover is the same, this copy lacks the pre-history that I was seeing in other editions. This edition, clocking in at 400 pages, starts with four pages on the internet-linking process and how we discover the past (archeology and history) and then jumps right into "Early Civilizations". Broadly, it covers Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. I do not know of any other way to distinguish it from it's less preferable counterpart.
  
  This resource is an excellent companion to a year of classical study of the ancients. The photographs of actual artifacts are excellent. Colorful presentation and open layouts make it an attractive text for elementary students. For early elementary, we have not used it every week, though I imagine older elementary students will be inclined and ready to do so. Nonetheless, I, being the teacher have been reading it in its entirety (we are only through Mesopotamia and Egypt as of this writing).
  
  Discerning readers will notice that this is basically a western civilization text. Noticeably absent are the rich ancient civilizations of India and China. The Americas (certainly not as advanced as either India or China) are similarly overlooked. This is not a deal breaker, but rather a cause for supplementation of an otherwise excellent resource. Pre-history gibberish removed, I have upgraded it to 4 stars and consider it a home library essential.
  
  ---- Update 2012
  Very satisfied with this as a primary resource for our completed study of Ancient History. There were, as usual, so points where I wanted to clarify for my son my thinking, but I never agree with anyone or anything all the time. This is a wonderful reference to have on hand for future study, and I still consider it a homeschool essential.
• 
  Koray Kudret Takaz

  erken yaslarda rahatlikla okunulabilecek ve antik döneme ilgi saglayacak bir ansiklopedi.
• 
  Katerina

  I love ancient history so this was great.
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  Amanda

  Not worth having this on the "currently reading" shelf anymore...:P