Atlas Major

Book Description

"The greatest and finest atlas ever published." -Koeman I, Bl 56 The finest and most comprehensive baroque atlas was Joan Blaeu's exceptional Atlas Maior, completed in 1665. The original 11-volume Latin edition, containing 596 maps, put Blaeu ahead of his staunch competitor, mapmaker Johannes Janssonius, whose rivalry inspired Blaeu to produce a grandiose edition of the largest and most complete atlas to date. Covering Arctica, Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, Blaeu's Atlas Maior was a remarkable achievement and remains to this day one of history's finest examples of mapmaking. This reprint is made from the National Library of Vienna's complete, colored, gold-heightened copy, thus assuring the best possible detail and quality. The book's introduction, by the University of Utrecht's Peter van der Krogt, discusses the historical and cultural context and significance of the atlas; Krogt also provides detailed descriptions of the maps, allowing modern readers to fully appreciate Blaeu's masterwork.

Customer Reviews:

Object of attraction.......2007-05-15

This sits on my coffee table and is a great companion to watching any sort of historical documentary on TV etc. Also makes for good cocktail party reading/conversation.

I've seen an original copy of this in the NYPL and this printing is true to form, with insightful tidibits and good translations extras.

The Bleau Atlas Major is the most beatiful and prolific atlases ever made.

Indeed, the greatest atlas.......2007-05-12

Johan Blaauw's incredibly large atlas - a marvel of cartography -, in a glorious edition by Taschen. The combination of full page reprints and overviews with commentary makes for one of the most luscious books I ever saw. Mesmerizing!

A nice book.......2007-04-12

I bought the Barnes and Noble edition and save 80%. That being said the B&N version is smaller and harder to read. It is also 100 pages shorter, which is why I gave it only 4 stars. Nevertheless I found the book fascinating. But the maps were so interesting I felt a little cheated not getting the other 100 pages. I guess I'll go to this book store where they have a big one displayed compare it to mine. Also the full $100+ volume is so big the box it comes in has a handle to carry it!

Info about B&N edition.......2007-03-29

I echo previous reviewers in saying this is a great book.

For those wondering about a Barnes & Noble reprint of this atlas and its relationship to this edition:

(1) The B&N edition is reduced in size quite a bit (13.5 x 9 inches versus 18 x 12 inches) making the text of some maps much too small to read.
(2) The B&N edition is missing roughly 100 pages from the map section (about 25%). The layout for the remaining pages is pretty much identical to the original.
(3) The B&N edition only contains the introduction in English; the original, larger edition has a multilingual intro. The captions of the maps in both editions are multilingual.

That said, the B&N edition is roughly 1/5 of the price, so if you're not using this as a serious reference book, it's worthwhile considering the cheaper alternative. The B&N edition is still a great "coffee table book" (in fact, a more reasonable one given its smaller--though still quite massive--size and weight).

Fantastic Art Book!.......2007-03-15

The quality of the pics of this book is wonderful. Several images just need a frame to decorate your wall.
You will spend hours looking any detail of the book. It makes a wonderful gift or addition to a collection. Highly recommended.
This is wonderful a coffee Table book. Buy it now!

The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World

Average customer rating:

This is a most valuable treatise, not just an atlas
A great resource for Bible students

The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World
Anson F Rainey , and R. Steven Notley
Manufacturer: Carta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 965220529X

Product Description

To meet the need for clear and accurate information, Professors Anson F. Rainey and R. Steven Notley have now come forward with an atlas that traces the course of Near Eastern history from the Chalcolithic Age (c. 3500 BCE) to the defeat of Bar Kochba's fighters and their retreat to the caves east of En-gedi. The product of close cooperation between two distinguished scholars of world renown and the knowledgeable and experienced staff of Carta, Jerusalem, this Atlas provides 300 state-of-the-art maps to show as far as possible in terms of modern knowledge the changes and historical processes that affected the lands of the Bible. Included are all historical and biblical episodes that can be depicted cartographicallymigrations and settlements, battles and conquests, the location and detailed movement of individual historical and biblical characters. In addition, The Sacred BridgeCarta's Atlas of the Biblical World draws on information from all known ancient sources-Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman and othersto reveal trade routes, economic determinants, and the development of international relations. Maps, many of them never before attempted, are presented chronologically, with extensive interpretive texts alongside. Finds, tools, artifacts, inscriptions and other documents from each period also appear in conjunction with the maps. The ultimate usefulness of any complex reference work depends on its index and its bibliography, and The Sacred BridgeCarta's Atlas of the Biblical World provides everything that could be asked for in the way of organized assistance to the reader. Each person or site can be located. An invaluable chronological table correlates historical activity in the East (Mesopotamia and Anatolia), the southern Levant, Egypt, and the Greco-Roman West from 2800 BCE to the second century CE. The superb reference sections contain every article, book or document consulted. The extensive index contains every place name that has been mapped and, in addition, names that still defy exact location but can be shown in relation to specific biblical episodes. New Testament geography, especially that of the Gospels, is interpreted in the light of the new understanding resulting from such discoveries as the Dead Sea Scrolls (e.g., the wider use of Hebrew as a social and religious vehicle than heretofore acknowledged). These refreshing insights serve to define geographical terms used in the New Testament and trace their origin. Documents are presented in their original languages and transcribed or translated into English. A special feature of this atlas is the insertion of these texts and their meaning within the narrative proper.

Customer Reviews:

This is a most valuable treatise, not just an atlas.......2007-01-28

Receiving this book has been an extremely pleasant surprise for me. Knowing the quality of Carta atlases, I ordered it expecting a top-quality up to date biblical atlas. However, I found it a superb, well-documented treatise of the pre-biblical, biblical and post biblical world, through the Bar Kokhba revolt, illustrated with high quality maps and photos. Although these illustrations, by themselves, are highly instructive, they do not make this unique volume as valuable as it will be to any serious biblical scholar. The authors compiled tremendous amounts of historical and archeological information that would be hard to retrieve otherwise. Although experts may argue about details of the information presented on the interpretation of certain biblical passages, as these depend on the academic school they represent, this book provides an unprecedented wealth of up to date information; information that will allow interested biblical scholars to go to the sources and expand their horizons. Last but not least, this treatise documents in great detail the robust connection between the biblical text with the geography of the ancient Jewish homeland and with relevant recent archeological findings. It is, therefore, also of substantial timely value when the veracity of biblical history is being questioned not be scholars but by biased political parties.

Dr. Michael Anbar

A great resource for Bible students.......2006-05-04

What an amazing resource for any student of the Bible. It brings places and events to life through extensive use of ancient sources, archaeological finds and detailed maps. It is a must have for any serious bible scholar!!

The Times Atlas of World History (Hammond Concise Atlas of World History)

Average customer rating:

The fifth edition has a different title
Illuminating
Best of many I looked at.
The key historical resource for every household

The Times Atlas of World History (Hammond Concise Atlas of World History)

Manufacturer: Hammond World Atlas Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman

ASIN: 0723005346

Customer Reviews:

The fifth edition has a different title.......2001-11-11

Note that the latest (1999, 5th) edition is called the "Hammond Atlas of World History," and is available at Amazon.com. There is no mention of "Time" anymore, causing possible confusion. It is superb.

Illuminating.......2001-07-05

In this day and age, where I find so many of us suffering from "historical amnesia", this book is an excellent reference to why our world is the way it is today. If you've ever wondered why that country's border is over here instead of over there, if you've ever wondered what all the fuss was about in what was Yugoslavia, if you've ever why some languages are so alike and why some languages sound like fusions of others, if you are not one of those people who believe the world came into creation after you were born, this book is for you.

The next time you see "Gladiator", "Titanic", or any period film, look at this book and see what the world looked like then. It will give you a tremendous perspective that goes beyond the scope of the films. Who were those barbarians that Maximus was fighting and where did all those other gladiator slaves come from ? It's all here.

Best of many I looked at........1999-08-11

I wouldn't rave forever like the dude from Providence about it. Some of the rivers are left unnamed on some of the maps as if they were not essentially formative during various times in history. With that caveat out of the way, I must have inspected 20 or 30 atlases seeking the most comprehensive historical atlas to help me through Gibbons' Decline and Fall... This is by far the best of the lot.

The key historical resource for every household.......1999-03-31

This book reveals history with an unusual magnetism by its ingenious use of graphic arts. It conveys exponentially greater amounts of information in a single page than even a whole normally written book can. With beautifully crafted, 3-D-appearing maps and inviting use of color, this atlas puts you in an astounding overview of world history not obtainable from normal history publications. I think this book is an absolute must for every household with growing children and a wonderful tool for adults, as well. It's also the penultimate jumping off point for anyone wishing to study history further. And, I must say, it's absolutely perfect for those who hate history! They won't hate it after seeing this book. To give you an indication of my reaction to this book, I bought it now because I'd seen it years ago in our public library at a time when I was out of money. I never forgot it. It has remained one of the priorities I swore I'd attend to as soon as I got back in the money and so, after waiting all those years, I've finally bought my own copy of it. Not many better ways to use that long-awaited money than getting a book like this. I am not a history expert so I cannot possibly have checked this book for historical content. But I don't think that's an issue with this book. I think you'll still know many times more about world history after you're done with this book than without it, even if historians found some text entry or ancient border to argue over. By the way, if my writing style sounds a bit commercial, I really am customer of amazon.com, not a plant by the publisher or something. It's just that I spent a number of years as a typesetter and so have picked up a writing style common to advertisements. That's what we typeset all day long! Sorry.

The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas

Average customer rating:

The Biblical World: An Illustrated Atlas
Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1426201389
Release Date: 2007-11-06

Book Description

Casting the tumultuous history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam against the rich canvas of the Near East, The Biblical World reveals how three great religions emerged from the same cradle. Author Jean-Pierre Isbouts employs a non-denominational perspective and a wide range of sources—from ancient hieroglyphic texts to the latest scientific findings—to place Bible stories in the framework of history. Chronologically arranged chapters detail battles, conquests, tribal migrations, natural calamities, and more, supporting the stories with intriguing archaeological evidence. To locate sites and events, National Geographic cartographers have created fifty all-new maps of stunning quality. Hundreds of photographs and artifacts add visual excitement. Quick-read timelines link events across cultures while illustrated sidebars focus on what life was like during each era: family roles, farming, trade, dress, childbirth, burial customs, and other aspects of daily existence.

The story traces the evolution of Judaism from Abraham to the Unified Kingdom of Israel... chronicles the emergence of Christianity in the context of Greco-Roman civilization... and identifies the unique circumstances that prepared for the rise of Islam. The multi-dimensional approach weighs similarities and differences among the three faiths and follows developments in nearby lands. With a foreword from bestselling author Bruce Chilton and text reviewed by distinguished advisers, The Biblical World offers a carefully researched, balanced view of history and religious tradition. For its scope, beauty, and relevance in today's world, this unparalleled atlas is destined to become a classic.

National Geographic Atlas Of World History (Atlas)

Average customer rating:

Horrible mistake in regards to PERSIAN GOLF ****************
Historical information in this book was manipulated
Fine history tome but not really an atlas....
Good but see below
Low on detail; few maps

National Geographic Atlas Of World History (Atlas)
Noel Grove
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0792270487
Release Date: 1998-08-01

Book Description

The challenge to understanding history lies in the tendency to focus on single scenes instead of the big picture, akin to looking at a tapes-try by examining individual stitches instead of the entire design. The Atlas of World History undertakes a fair-minded journey through the human story by mingling close-up looks at events with broader views of what was then happening elsewhere in the world.

Each of this book's six sections, arranged chronologically, opens with a world map that shows developments at various points of the compass, along with an essay about what was happening and why.

Cross-cultural time lines run through the book like a thick thread, tying all of history together. Thus, as one reads a section on Charlemagne, for example, the time line shows selected events happening in Nubia, in India, in China, and in Cyprus.

The text by author Noel Grove, a staff writer for 25 years with the National Geographic magazine, continues with a world-wide perspective usually ignored in works of history: "By A.D. 100, when the Roman Empire was in full swing, some Maya cities were already in decline."

Events are examined for their local as well as global impact: "Great empires butted heads and power changed hands, but these episodes fed a...kinship with a wider community."

Here, then, as Daniel J. Boorstin says in his foreword, "...is an invitation to discover both the mystery and the miracle of human experience on our planet," as Grove shapes complex history into an understandable tale with a storyteller's eye for little-known details: "Russia's...Peter the Great died at the age of 53 after diving into the Neva River in winter to rescue drowning sailors." And "Vikings were not just ruthless killers; they traded as often as they raided, and their wives knew rights that other medieval women could scarcely imagine."

Artwork, maps, and photographs complement the text to tell the story of human history in a single volume.

Customer Reviews:

Horrible mistake in regards to PERSIAN GOLF ****************.......2004-11-22

What the hell is going on... I wonder wich rich royal family in the mid-east has funded this unbeleivable mistake!!!

For your info, The Persian golf has existed for thousands of years up until your 2004 Edition.

What happened ??? Are you taking advantage of the last moments in mullah history before they are overthrown to clinch a deal with the Arabs ?????

I am really disapointed, and did not think that a non-for profit organisation like yours would do such a mistake.

RECALLL All Copies or Face Legal Actions.

Sam
Vancouver Canada

Historical information in this book was manipulated.......2004-11-10

In this book, unfortunately due to powerful anti-Iranian (Persian) activities and the typical incompetence of the Islamic Republic that occupies Iran, the southern states of the Persian Gulf who have only come to existence thanks to foreign powers, have slowly become more brazen. As a result the National Geographic Society has printed at least three major erroneous statements in its Atlas of the World 2005 (Eighth Edition, ISBN: 0-7922-7543-8 & ISBN: 0-7922-7542-x) regarding Iran and the Persian Gulf.

Considering the fact that the National, Geographic is the biggest non-profit educational and scientific institution, it is hard for us to fathom how they made reference to the Persian Gulf with an unrecognized name. The United Nations, in addition to historical records and facts that date back more than thousands of years, have made it abundantly clear that the body of water in question is recognized as the Persian Gulf.

The atlas also falsely claims that several Persian Gulf Islands belong to the newly created United Arab Emirates. It would appear that the National Geographic Society has joined hands with the enemies of Iran, and is now openly helping those who seek to compromise Iran's territorial integrity. Perhaps the National Geographic Society should look back on it's own maps to see that 33 years ago no entity by the name of United Arab Emirates existed, however Iran did. Furthermore, the National Geographic itself had previously always used the formal, and legitimate name, the Persian Gulf to reference the body of water in question. The National Geographic's stance encourages conflict in an area which has experiences relative calm with the use of the official and internationally recognized name of the Persian Gulf for centuries. Iran (Persia) has existed for more then seven thousand years, and to now have a publication attempt to strip it of its historical territory will not be tolerated.

The Atlas goes further to claim that the Persian Gulf Islands are being occupied by Iran. If anything is being occupied, it would be various parts of Iran (Persia) that have been taken from us through illegal means starting 33 years ago.

We condemn the policies of the National Geographic that have made it possible for such illegitimate maps to be published. We look to hear from the National Geographic regarding the blunders they have made on their 2005 Atlas, and urge them to correct these errors, and to apologize to the nation of Iran (Persia) for damaging our national culture and heritage in addition to our territorial integrity.

The enemies of Iran should know, so long as there is one Iranian (Persian) alive with blood pumping through his or her heart, even the thought of taking one grain of Iranian (Persian) soil, will strongly be opposed and defeated.

As a result, the historical information in this book was manipulated.

D. Javidan

Fine history tome but not really an atlas...........2003-02-21

I give this book four stars because, while it is really not an atlas, it is a wonderful overview of history.

The book features the superb photography/illustrations that folks expect from National Geographic. These graphics are used to good effect, showing the progression from early history to the late 1990's. I find it a most enjoyable "refresher course" in world history. There is a timeline at the top of each page indicating significant events for the given period.

If you wish to have a succinct world history summary/review with great aesthetics, you can't go wrong with this. However, it offers relatively few maps (around 60 or so), so don't depend on it as a true atlas.

Good but see below.......2002-09-22

I've been on an ancient history kick lately, and since it's been about 20 years since I've done a lot of reading in this area, I thought I would check out what's available in the way of good historical atlases of the ancient world, or of world history in general.

This book is one of the half-dozen big atlases out there that are available. Since I've been looking in detail at all of the current ones, I'll give brief comparisons and you can go from there and decide which one might be best for you.

Atlases are great for looking up those events, both momentous and not-so-momentous, to get a quick grasp and overview of the situation without getting bogged down in some more detailed and ponderous history. All the current ones do a decent job of that, but they very in terms of readability and the number of maps included, and the degree to which they integrate the visual maps and materials with the text. Here's the scoop on all of these.

1. For my money, John Haywood's Atlas of World History is the best combination of features and price. Haywood writes very well and has a nice, deft touch with the material, unlike many atlases, whose prose often sounds somewhat dry and technical. The book was written along with a team of graphics experts skilled at combining the written word with maps and illustrations, and it shows. Although not as large as the Hammond and Dorling-Kindersley books, it's still excellent and only a fraction of their cost. Two other nice features are the color-coded timelines which accompany each two-page spread, and the many special symbols and legends on the maps, which are used to illustrate and highlight points in the text.

2. The Oxford Atlas of World History is also well written, and has lots of maps just like the Haywood volume. I found the writing style somewhat drier than Haywood's, but it's one of the most scholarly of the atlases out there, and could be used by college students given the level of presentation of the material. These two books are otherwise very close, except that the Haywood volume is less than half the price of this one.

3. The Nat'l Geographic offering has some of the most entertaining writing by Noel Grove and Daniel Boorstin I've found in any history text. Some of the tidbits are really great, such as Grove's comment that "Russia's...Peter the Great died at the age of 53 after diving into the Neva River in winter to rescue drowning sailors." And "Vikings were not just ruthless killers; they traded as often as they raided, and their wives knew rights that other medieval women could scarcely imagine."

However, the main shortcoming of this atlas is that it contains almost no maps. Most of the illustrations are arts or crafts related, for some reason. In that sense the book hardly qualifies as an atlas, and it would be more accurate to say it's a more like a well-illustrated history of the world, instead.

4. The Hammond Atlas, along with the DK, is physically the biggest, thickest, and most comprehensive of the 6 discussed here. It's also the highest priced, and more expensive than the cheapest one here by a factor of four or five. It's still a fine atlas despite the cost, and I'd still be quite happy with this one as it's certainly a beautifully done atlas.

The book has over 600 maps and illustrations, many of which show such nice details (which not all the other atlases do) as mountain ranges, and in general are beautifully colored with a variety of symbols showing movements of peoples and armies and other important historical and cultural details, similar to the Haywood volume.

The level of presentation of the material is also high, and would be appropriate up through college level, but the prose style is a little drier and more technical sounding than the DK or Haywood, for example. However, someone who is already pretty knowledgeable about history could probably still use this atlas, compared with the DK, which, although more attractive graphically, is obviously aimed at a broader audience.

5. The Dorling-Kindersley atlas is the most beautifully designed, graphically, of all the offerings out there, and they often set the maps at various angles or distort them in creative ways to fit all the different paragraphs of text and illustrations on a page, which sometimes looks a little weird. Because of this, the presentation consists of an introductory section in larger type, with other paragraphs in smaller type which are paired with the other maps and graphics on each two-page spread. In fact, there is almost a 1 to 1 correspondence between the illustrations and the text paragraphs. I found this made the atlas harder to use than the others, since the pages are almost so dense and busy with material that it's almost distracting, but there's no doubt it's the most visually appealing and graphically innovative of all the atlases out there. Their maps are really spectacular, and they use the glossiest paper, so their maps look more attractive.

The DK atlas also provides the best coverage of non-European history, doing a much better job of covering Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. The other atlases are more Eurocentric in their focus. Next to the DK, the Hammond atlas provides the best coverage in this regard.

6. The last atlas I wanted to discuss is the Times Atlas of World History. Although now a little dated, having come out almost 10 years ago in 1993, it still counts as one of the mostly scholarly, well-written, and well-illustrated of these works, and it's also intermediate in terms of price. I read somewhere that the more recent Hammond atlas is actually this one updated, but they don't state specifically that the Time atlas was its predecessor, so I can't verify this.

Hope my little "Consumer Reports" comparison guide helps. Good luck and happy atlas shopping, buying, and reading!

Low on detail; few maps.......2001-12-12

I had to get this book, as I love National Geographic feature maps. Once I acquired it, however, I was shocked to discover how few maps are provided by this book. Furthermore, I am usually disappointed by this book when looking for specific events, dates, and locations. Help me recover my dignity as a consumer and buy something else!

A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People: From the Time of the Patriarchs to the Present

Average customer rating:

This atlas succeeds beautifully
a great bar mitzvah gift
Excellent Overview of History and Culture
Heavily researched, beautifully depicted, fascinating and encyclopedic
An excellent, informative and beautiful work

A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People: From the Time of the Patriarchs to the Present
Eli Barnavi
Manufacturer: Schocken
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0805242260
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People, edited by Eli Barnavi, is one of those rare books that can literally make a reader gasp with delight and horror. It may even be the best one-volume history of Judaism in print. Beginning with "The Migrations of the Patriarchs," and continuing to the present day, the book's chapters include historical maps, timelines, illustrations and photographs, and narrative essays by leading historians (such as Moshe Idel) that help readers not only understand but visualize the movements of the Jewish people. The editors have chosen not to structure the story as leading inexorably to the Holocaust and the rise of Israel, although both events are covered in some detail. Instead, they have depicted the rich variety of lives established by the Diaspora in such far-flung places as China and England, and have been equally attentive to the joys and triumphs of Jews, both in everyday life and in national cultures, as to the considerable tragedies Jews have endured. The text of this book is smart and readable, but the real joy of the atlas is its illustrations, many of which are rarely seen, such as 20th-century artist Abel Pann's depiction of the creation of Adam, "He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." It's the kind of image that reminds you that life really is a gift, and makes you savor it. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

The history of the Jews spans more than two millenia and encompasses most parts of the globe--an extraordinary saga which is set forth pictorially in this comprehensive, and richly illustrated and designed volume. With hundreds of brilliantly detailed maps, photographs, and drawings, and chronologies and commentaries by leading experts, A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People is both an authoritative reference work and a sumptuous gift volume.

Customer Reviews:

This atlas succeeds beautifully.......2007-08-24

Few of the world's peoples can boast of a history as long and as varied as that of the Jews, or one encompassing such a range of achievements and tragedy. It spans more than three millennia and has touched most parts of the globe. This text sets forth this history graphically-in nearly a thousand detailed and accurate maps, brilliantly reproduced drawings, photographs, and paintings; plus chronologies and commentaries by dozens of leading experts. The result is a triumph of the bookmaking art-a comprehensive and dependable reference work.
Beyond the strictly historical, the Atlas also deals with many fascinating and important aspects of jewish culture-languages, literature, art, and music.

a great bar mitzvah gift.......2006-11-10

great information, nicely displayed. i wish i got one for my bar-mitzvah!

Excellent Overview of History and Culture.......2006-04-24

Professor Barnavi has done a great service both to Judaism and any students who are inclined to further their understanding of it. As a Christian proponent of this ancient faith upon which our own is based, I have found it an invaluable resource in my ecumenical studies involving history and development of Ancient and Modern Jewry and the vast knowledge accumulated over the thousands of years of its existance. It is a concise coverage of every age of its progression, along with a magnificent garnish of photographs and illustations which bring the entire process to life. I highly reccomend this book.

Heavily researched, beautifully depicted, fascinating and encyclopedic .......2006-01-20

This gorgeous coffee-table sized book would alone get my five stars for its detailed but clear maps and its breathtakingly diverse array of figures and illustrations depicting the major events of over 3,000 years of Jewish history. As it is, it provides detailed, well researched and very readable historical synopses of Jewish life throughout the world over this period, with each folio (two facing pages) a separate topic. Each folio includes the historical synopsis, usually a map, a series of other illustrations, including photographs, art, and other figures, and at the bottom of every page appears a time line highlighting important dates relevant to the topic. The topics range from the dawn of Judaism to present-day issues in Judaism, from Chinese Jews to the Jews of King Solomon's era, to Jewish farmers in Eastern Europe. You need to see this book in its entirety to believe it. If you ever wanted to an excellent and fascinating introduction to Jewish history, I don't think you can get better than this rare, colorful, scholarly and very engaging book. I'm so enthusiastic about it, I've bought it as a gift three times over.

An excellent, informative and beautiful work.......2005-09-19

This presentation of the history of the Jewish people through text, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, etc. is beautifully done. It is an excellent reference work for readers of all ages, a beautiful 'coffee table' book and a pleasure to use.

Average customer rating:

Sketch Maps
A Good Reference Book
A Surprisingly Detailed Historical Summary

Atlas of Medieval Europe
Angus Mackay
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0415019230

Book Description

Covering the period from the fall of the Roman Empire through to the beginnings of the Renaissance, this indispensable volume brings the complex and colorful history of the Middle Ages to life. It investigates the major political, social and cultural changes, showing their spread throughout the middle ages, and takes into account recent developments in scholarship. It also includes geographical coverage, extending the broadest definition of Europe from the Atlantic coast to the Russian steppes; maps addressing a separate issue or series of events in Medieval history, with a commentary locating it in its broader context; and maps providing a vivid representation of the development of nations, peoples and social structures. With over 140 maps, expert commentaries and an extensive bibliography, this is the essential reference for students at all levels, libraries and all those who want a thorough, geographically based guide to medieval Europe.

Customer Reviews:

Sketch Maps.......2004-12-16

This "atlas" contains only black and white sketch maps, which give no indication of actual geographical and topological conditions. It has a fairly decent discussion of the history connected with each map, but this is necessarily short. This book should cost about 5 times less than it does, if it were about $7.00 it might be worth buying.

A Good Reference Book.......2004-01-03

This 280 page book is a useful reference as an overview of Medieval Europe but is very dry as a read because of the necessary brevity in this small book. Thirty-seven different Scottish university scholars contributed to the work so it is uneven in its textual presentation and illustration. The sections of the book are Early Medieval (from the fall of the western Roman empire to ca 1100), Central Middle Ages (c 1100 - c 1300), and Late Middle Ages (c 1300 - c 1500) and each of these sections is broken down into Politics; Religion; Government, Society and Economy; and Culture.

One of the principal strengths of the work is the profusion of maps - well over a hundred I should think. They are, however of widely varying quality. Some are very well done and readable but others are essentially impossible to interpret either because of large amounts of detail in a small space or because of lack of references such as rivers and cities with names that can be recognized by the non-specialist modern reader.

I would recommend it to the amateur historian as a reference but not to a reader who is simply interested in a good read about the people and lives of the Middle Ages.

A Surprisingly Detailed Historical Summary.......2000-06-28

The Atlas of Medieval Europe is a terrific historical resource. It contains maps and explanations of a wide variety of events and topics about medieval history. There are maps showing the most interesting and specific trends, like the spread of anti-Semitism, and the raising of provisions for war in England.

I purchased this book for a specific research project, but am delighted to find that it is an informative and engaging supplement to my library. I would heartily recommend this title to anyone interested in medieval Europe. By studying the wide range of subjects covered in this atlas, one can get a feel for medieval history without trying to digest volumes of dry text.

That said, nothing is perfect. I found the organization of this text to be a little clumsy at times. There is such a wide variety of topics and the topics for each period of time are not consistent. Also, with the quantity of data in some of the maps, color would be a boon.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource.......2007-05-15

I found this atlas to be an excellent resource for my college World Civilization Class. I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in, or is a history student.

Much improved, a few flaws.......2006-01-22

I had an edition of this atlas that was published in 1965, but was still on sale until recently. As an avid reader of history of all periods, I consulted this atlas quite frequently. The new 2005 edition is much welcome. Many of the maps are identical to those in the older edition, but much has been added. In general, the new edition is less Eurocentric, containing new maps of African, South American and Asian polities. A notable omission is any description of the breakup of the USSR. The map of WWII is not useful, and appears to have been put in as an afterthought. The map of the Vietnam War is good, but the Korean War map is very difficult to read. Very good new maps also include world distributions of languages, religions, income and literacy, as well as descriptions of political, military and econimic alliances. Overall, an excellent resource.

Good teaching resource.......2005-10-20

This inexpensive atlas has proven to be a useful teaching resource, given the typically meagre historical and geographical understanding of undergraduate college students. Although coverage is necessarily selective, it hits the major events of the past (wars, empires), and includes a good level of material on the world outside of the US.

great for its price.......2003-10-01

this atlas has a map for basically anytime period yuo will ever study and the price is pretty good for an atlas

Great price/quality value..........2001-10-12

This historical atlas of the world, though limit, should be quite useful to me as an undergraduate history major. This atlas was brought to my attention by one of my teachers and i think she had been using it for a while. Relatively cheap compared to other products of this kind but offers more than you'd expect for its price.

The West Point Atlas of American Wars: 1900-1918 (West Point Atlas of American Wars)

Average customer rating:

THE cohesive book of maps WW1--totally indispensable
For previous reviews...
Not For Everyone
Excellent Book About War
Confused by Reviews

The West Point Atlas of American Wars: 1900-1918 (West Point Atlas of American Wars)
Vincent J. Esposito
Manufacturer: Henry Holt & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Atlas for the Second World War: Europe and the Mediterranean (West Point Military History Series)

ASIN: 0805053050

Customer Reviews:

THE cohesive book of maps WW1--totally indispensable .......2005-10-21

I'll start by saying these are the best maps covering WW1--and have been the one resource which has really enhanced my understanding of an often confusing, militarily at least (particularly on the Eastern front), conflict. Great maps of the palestine, mesopotamian, and gallipoli campaigns. More maps on the Caucausus, Armenian, and Far East would have been helpful.

The achille's heel of this volume is its title--most of this book has little relevance to contemporary US military activity (1900-1918)--the book covers WW1 exclusively a war the US didn't materially begin fighting until the spring of 1918, that is to say it's last 6 months.

So if you are looking for coverage of the operations against insurgents in the Phillipines, or the punitive raid into Mexico, keep looking. This book should be labeled the West Point Atlas of the Great War, and if that is what you're looking for you need to snatch up a used copy of this otherwise-5-star-book.

If this book was going to cover so many campaigns unrelated to the American military I wish there would have been some maps covering other wars of this period-the Russo-Japanese and the Turkish Balkan wars.

Still an excellent book!

For previous reviews..........2005-02-23

In a response to a previous review, this book is a reprint of the original which contained 1900-1953. That is why people are mentioning WWII. For some reason, the publishers decided only to have WWI in this volume. I own the two original volumes, printed in 1959, which were used by USMA cadets. Personally, I prefer the original books because they create a touch of actual history because of their use. They are amazing books which any military nut can spend hours enjoying. For anyone who thinks these books are boring; maybe you should move to Canada, because the battles in this book won you your freedom! :) ENJOY!

Not For Everyone.......2001-11-16

This book is probably very good for a student studying war, but it's by no means an interesting coffee table type of conversational piece. It's more like a textbook , not not for me, and not for you either, I suspect.

Excellent Book About War.......2001-09-03

If you are looking for a coffee table book about war, stop here. There is no need for you to continue. This one is as good as they come. However, this is not a book on West Point. (for that, I recommend "West Point", by Norman Thomas Remick). The title is somewhat confusing in that respect. But, don't let that stop you from looking at this great job done by the Dept. of Military Art and Engineering.

Confused by Reviews.......2000-05-26

Look I'm not actually reviewing this book - but I do have some comments about the reviews:

If the date is 1900-1918 in the title, how does this cover Bismarck's Germany, which would be before 1900? Similarly how serious is the league of nations coverage (which I would guess would be 1918-1939 approximately)

Book Description

In 99 full-color maps spread over 175 pages, the Barrington Atlas recreates the entire world of the Greeks and Romans from the British Isles to the Indian subcontinent and deep into North Africa. It spans the territory of more than 75 modern countries. Its large format (13 x 19 ins or 33 x 48 cm) has been custom-designed by the leading cartographic supplier MapQuest.com, Inc., and is unrivalled for range, clarity and detail. Over 70 experts, aided by an equal number of consultants, have worked from satellite-generated aeronautical charts to return the modern landscape to its ancient appearance, and to mark ancient names and features in accordance with the most up-to-date historical scholarship and archaeological discoveries. Chronologically, the Barrington Atlas spans archaic Greece to the Late Roman Empire, and no more than two standard scales (1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000) are used to represent most regions.

Since the 1870s, all attempts to map the classical world comprehensively have failed. This new initiative has finally achieved that elusive and challenging goal. It began in 1988 at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, under the direction of the distinguished ancient historian Richard Talbert, and has been developed with approximately $4 million in funding support.

The resulting Barrington Atlas is a reference work of permanent value. It has an exceptionally broad appeal to everyone worldwide with an interest in ancient Greeks and Romans, the lands they penetrated, and the peoples and cultures they encountered in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Scholars and libraries should all find it essential, although it is not just for them. It is also for students, travelers and lovers of fine cartography, as well as for anyone eager to retrace Alexander's eastward marches, to cross the Alps with Hannibal, to traverse the Eastern Mediterranean with St. Paul, or to ponder the roads, aqueducts and defense works of the Roman Empire. For the new millennium the Barrington Atlas brings the ancient past back to life in an unforgettably vivid and inspiring way.

Map-by-Map Directory

The Barrington Atlas includes a CD-ROM Map-by-Map Directory. A separate 1,500 page two-volume print edition of the Directory is also available at $150 / £95. The Directory is designed to provide information about every place or feature in the Barrington Atlas. The section for each map comprises:

a concise text drawing attention to special difficulties in mapping a region, such as extensive landscape change since antiquity, or uneven modern exploration.
a listing of every name and feature on the map, with basic data about the period of occupation, the modern equivalents of ancient placenames, the modern country within which they are located, and brief references to relevant ancient testimony or modern studies.
a bibliography of works cited.

The Map-by-Map Directory is an essential accompaniment to the Barrington Atlas. As a uniquely rich, comprehensive, up-to-date distillation of evidence and scholarship, it has no match elsewhere and opens the way to an immense variety of further research initiatives.

The CD-ROM will work on any MAC or PC that supports Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 4.0. The installation software for Acrobat Reader is included on the CD-ROM.

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