A History of the Ancient World

This is an excellent, very well written book on the general history of the ancient world with a focus on the near east, Egypt, Greece and Western Europe. Through his step-by-step build up the author is able to show not only the sequence of events, but the impacts that these had on religion, culture, art etc. In many instances he points to the roots of ideas that we absolutely take for granted today. This book will be valuable to a reader with a general interest and also as a more detailed reference.

This book offers an oversight to the basic developments in history: from the first appearances of human life, then culture, and then cities and societies. It gives an occasional glance to the east, but it's emphasis is tracing the development of Greek and Roman civilization. It is useful in its broadness, but potentially misleading by the same token. For the general reader, I would say Starr offers a decent rough comparison between different societies and epochs; thus enabling some concept of what made the Romans, the Greeks, etc different from the rest of the world.Having been a graduate student in history, I must say that this book is a major relief. In Chester Starr, one will not find a paranoid historian, obsessed with political correctness and bent on thrashing Western history. He gives the Greeks and the Romans fair praise and criticism while not neglecting that these societies did not represent all people's of the earth. (Although, he suggests that the Greeks were devoid of superstition and the belief in magic, which I find hard to believe.) Global history is such a politically heated argument these days, that I would recomend Starr as the most qualified and balanced scholar for the average reader. Today, Starr is branded as Whigish and probably Eurocentrist, which is a shame for our intellectual conditions.

For the casual history fan, like myself, this was the perfect one-volume history of the ancient world. It is a comprehensive look at the various civilizations that rose and fell from the Sumerians to the Romans. Starr gives you the big picture and puts the contributions of the ancient world in perspective. It is written in a clear and concise prose style. There is just the right amount of attention to detail, but not so much as to make it tedious. It was enjoyable to read and I am happy to have this book in my library to keep for future reference for my children and myself.

Most people when faced with this book, especially college students, will find that it looks quite intimidating. However, very much to my surpise, it's a wonderful book. Starr covers a vast amount of time and history in this extreamlly informative book. It reads easy, presenting it's ideas clearly and streamlined. It really is a book to read if you have any intrest in the Ancient Civlizations.

A very well-written text covering the beginning of history to the decline of Rome. Thorough and complete in its detail and explanations. Also, the text moves decisively and methodically through the early historical timeline.