School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-While these books fill a gap in resources about the ancient world for this audience, at times the information seems padded to fill the pages, especially in the case of Archimedes. The authors use popular anecdotes from the lives of the ancients and facts about their culture to introduce their subjects' important contributions. "FYI" sections detail engaging elements of the ancient Greek world, such as fashion, astronomy, and the Library of Alexandria. Full-color photos, reproductions, and illustrations appear throughout. Of the three, Homer is the most informative and well written, with a comprehensive works cited and resource page. It would be a useful addition to ancient history collections. Most libraries should consider looking to other resources for information about Archimedes and Socrates.-Anne M. Holcomb, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reseña de Horn Book
After introducing each of these important figures in ancient civilization with a story or legend, the authors then provide upper-elementary or middle-school students with a lively picture of the known life of the individual based on records from their times. Sidebars and archival art (without credit to artist or source) extend the information, but the dull design is uninviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations titles: The Life and Times of Alexander the Great, The Life and Times of Homer, The Life and Times of Archimedes, and The Life and Times of Socrates.] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Reseña de Booklist
Reviewed with John Bankston's The Life and Times of Alexander the Great0 . Gr. 5-8. Each book in the Biography from Ancient Civilizations series offers a brief, fairly fast-moving account of the subject. Because so little is known of Homer's life, Tracy's book relies on legends from ancient sources, and at times, young readers may find it difficult to separate fact from fiction. For instance, a page listing Greek heroes blends the mythological and historical (Pericles follows Perseus). More is documented on the life of Alexander the Great, and Bankston makes an effort to name the sources of some of the familiar stories about the world conqueror. Most of the illustrations in both books are reproductions of paintings or engravings from the baroque period or from Roman wall paintings. Each book concludes with a time line, chapter notes, a chronology, a short glossary, and a bibliography (including Web sites). Libraries with a lot on the subjects can probably pass over these, but some students will appreciate the brevity of each of these biographies. --Todd Morning Copyright 2004 Booklist
