A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

Excellent for studies, 27 Jun 2007
This book has proved vital in my studies of Ancient History. I would recommend this book to those studying but also to novices as this book explains really well the history of the Aztecs.

All pictures and photos are in black and white but as this book is mainly used for study this is not a problem.

Excellent book and also very useful for those studying Anthropology.
Great value for money and highly recommended if you have an interest in this subject.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

Excellent for studies, 27 Jun 2007
This book has proved vital in my studies of Ancient History. I would recommend this book to those studying but also to novices as this book explains really well the history of the Aztecs.

All pictures and photos are in black and white but as this book is mainly used for study this is not a problem.

Excellent book and also very useful for those studying Anthropology.
Great value for money and highly recommended if you have an interest in this subject.

If texts were everything . . . , 09 Jul 2006
Kramer was the US Sumerian specialist of the post World War II period, and this book, written from his great knowledge of the major literary texts, remains a classic. It includes translations by Kramer of some of the most important literary texts. But it is lop-sided because of the author's complete reliance on the surviving texts. The main period of Sumerian civilization is almost a thousand years long, but there are very few archives of cuneiform texts. Writing a history from the mainly administrative documents and the few literary texts is very hazardous. While Kramer was a language and literature specialist without compare, as a historian he was naive. And he pays almost no attention to the archaeological record. There are more up-to-date general books available by Susan Pollock or Harriet Crawford's Sumer and the Sumerians.

An excellent book on Sumer, 21 Mar 2003
This book is an in-depth study of ancient Sumer, with a great focus on the actual writings of the Sumerians themselves. The author has chapters on history, society, religion, literature, education, and character. As a real bonus, instead of just referencing various Sumerian writings, the author actually reproduces them here with great frequency.

This is a great book, an excellent resource on Sumerian culture. Unfortunately, having been written in 1963, it is rather out-of-date, but is still a fascinating read, and is quite accurate in all of the important points. If you are interested in ancient Sumer, then you must read this book.

A good preliminary look into Ancient Sumer, 30 May 1999
I was hoping to get some confirmation regarding the history of the Sumerians as it relates to the Eqyptians when I purchased this book; however, there was none, other than the fact that they traded with them. Apparently, there is not even any reference in the cuneiform tablets that had been translated to the date of this author's writing that mentions the pyramids of Egypt. Even though the Sumerians were quite exact in describing the plenitude of Egypt's natural resources, I find it odd that that there is no description of Egypt's most obviously recognized feature. I don't know if this is because the pyramids were not built then, or because they were so well-known they didn't feel it was necessary to write about them. Surely, if the pyramids were being built during this period, there would have been some mention of them in the cuneiform tablets, as the Sumerians designated neighboring areas by their most identifiable, visible topographical differences, or tradeable resources. Questions arise: Could this omission even suggest that the Sumerians knew the pyramids predated the Egyptians? Could it also be that the land our scholars think the Summerians referred to is not Egypt at all? Who knows.

Kramer wrote this book in the 1960s, using extant translations. However, more cuneiform tablets have been translated since. This book covers the history of the ancient cultures of Sumer, Ur, etc., their myths, religion, wars, kingship, government, etc. Although I found it somewhat redundant in many areas, I believe it is a good source of this history, if you know little about it.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

Excellent for studies, 27 Jun 2007
This book has proved vital in my studies of Ancient History. I would recommend this book to those studying but also to novices as this book explains really well the history of the Aztecs.

All pictures and photos are in black and white but as this book is mainly used for study this is not a problem.

Excellent book and also very useful for those studying Anthropology.
Great value for money and highly recommended if you have an interest in this subject.

If texts were everything . . . , 09 Jul 2006
Kramer was the US Sumerian specialist of the post World War II period, and this book, written from his great knowledge of the major literary texts, remains a classic. It includes translations by Kramer of some of the most important literary texts. But it is lop-sided because of the author's complete reliance on the surviving texts. The main period of Sumerian civilization is almost a thousand years long, but there are very few archives of cuneiform texts. Writing a history from the mainly administrative documents and the few literary texts is very hazardous. While Kramer was a language and literature specialist without compare, as a historian he was naive. And he pays almost no attention to the archaeological record. There are more up-to-date general books available by Susan Pollock or Harriet Crawford's Sumer and the Sumerians.

An excellent book on Sumer, 21 Mar 2003
This book is an in-depth study of ancient Sumer, with a great focus on the actual writings of the Sumerians themselves. The author has chapters on history, society, religion, literature, education, and character. As a real bonus, instead of just referencing various Sumerian writings, the author actually reproduces them here with great frequency.

This is a great book, an excellent resource on Sumerian culture. Unfortunately, having been written in 1963, it is rather out-of-date, but is still a fascinating read, and is quite accurate in all of the important points. If you are interested in ancient Sumer, then you must read this book.

A good preliminary look into Ancient Sumer, 30 May 1999
I was hoping to get some confirmation regarding the history of the Sumerians as it relates to the Eqyptians when I purchased this book; however, there was none, other than the fact that they traded with them. Apparently, there is not even any reference in the cuneiform tablets that had been translated to the date of this author's writing that mentions the pyramids of Egypt. Even though the Sumerians were quite exact in describing the plenitude of Egypt's natural resources, I find it odd that that there is no description of Egypt's most obviously recognized feature. I don't know if this is because the pyramids were not built then, or because they were so well-known they didn't feel it was necessary to write about them. Surely, if the pyramids were being built during this period, there would have been some mention of them in the cuneiform tablets, as the Sumerians designated neighboring areas by their most identifiable, visible topographical differences, or tradeable resources. Questions arise: Could this omission even suggest that the Sumerians knew the pyramids predated the Egyptians? Could it also be that the land our scholars think the Summerians referred to is not Egypt at all? Who knows.

Kramer wrote this book in the 1960s, using extant translations. However, more cuneiform tablets have been translated since. This book covers the history of the ancient cultures of Sumer, Ur, etc., their myths, religion, wars, kingship, government, etc. Although I found it somewhat redundant in many areas, I believe it is a good source of this history, if you know little about it.

Essential reading., 20 Aug 2008
For many years, the definitive text on the Incas was John Hemming's terrific "The Conquest of the Incas'. However, having been written in the 70s, our understanding of the conquest and the life of the Incas has improved considerably. MacQuarrie's effort, that encapsulates these developments, is now the new benchmark for the subject.

If you are even contemplating a trip to Peru, this is essential reading. It's a big book though, so read it before you go (and take Hugh Thompson's wonderful 'The White Rock' with you in your backpack!). The style is a a well thought out logical account of events (insamuch as well as they can be accounted given the lack of any written Inca records and sketchy old Spanish ones). The characters of Pizarro et al are beautifully drawn out - in fact the book reads more like a historical thriller rather than a non-fiction account. Indeed, the whole concept is slightly different from the usual 'conquest' books. Many books take us up the the few years after Pizarro's conquest, but MacQuarrie's takes us all the way to the final end of the Empire, an Incan Braveheart account of the retreat, guerilla warfare and the last stand at Vilcabamba.

In short, it's utterly brilliant - well-written, well researched, educational and exciting. This is what history is all about!!

5 stars, no question. Only one minor gripe and that's that some of the photos could have been in colour - I'm sure they cold ahve found some pics of the Vilcabamba valley in colour, if not Hiram Bingham in 1911 :)

PS. Thompson's 'The White Rock' and Matthew Parris' 'Inca Kola' are also required reading before a Peruvian encounter!







A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

Excellent for studies, 27 Jun 2007
This book has proved vital in my studies of Ancient History. I would recommend this book to those studying but also to novices as this book explains really well the history of the Aztecs.

All pictures and photos are in black and white but as this book is mainly used for study this is not a problem.

Excellent book and also very useful for those studying Anthropology.
Great value for money and highly recommended if you have an interest in this subject.

If texts were everything . . . , 09 Jul 2006
Kramer was the US Sumerian specialist of the post World War II period, and this book, written from his great knowledge of the major literary texts, remains a classic. It includes translations by Kramer of some of the most important literary texts. But it is lop-sided because of the author's complete reliance on the surviving texts. The main period of Sumerian civilization is almost a thousand years long, but there are very few archives of cuneiform texts. Writing a history from the mainly administrative documents and the few literary texts is very hazardous. While Kramer was a language and literature specialist without compare, as a historian he was naive. And he pays almost no attention to the archaeological record. There are more up-to-date general books available by Susan Pollock or Harriet Crawford's Sumer and the Sumerians.

An excellent book on Sumer, 21 Mar 2003
This book is an in-depth study of ancient Sumer, with a great focus on the actual writings of the Sumerians themselves. The author has chapters on history, society, religion, literature, education, and character. As a real bonus, instead of just referencing various Sumerian writings, the author actually reproduces them here with great frequency.

This is a great book, an excellent resource on Sumerian culture. Unfortunately, having been written in 1963, it is rather out-of-date, but is still a fascinating read, and is quite accurate in all of the important points. If you are interested in ancient Sumer, then you must read this book.

A good preliminary look into Ancient Sumer, 30 May 1999
I was hoping to get some confirmation regarding the history of the Sumerians as it relates to the Eqyptians when I purchased this book; however, there was none, other than the fact that they traded with them. Apparently, there is not even any reference in the cuneiform tablets that had been translated to the date of this author's writing that mentions the pyramids of Egypt. Even though the Sumerians were quite exact in describing the plenitude of Egypt's natural resources, I find it odd that that there is no description of Egypt's most obviously recognized feature. I don't know if this is because the pyramids were not built then, or because they were so well-known they didn't feel it was necessary to write about them. Surely, if the pyramids were being built during this period, there would have been some mention of them in the cuneiform tablets, as the Sumerians designated neighboring areas by their most identifiable, visible topographical differences, or tradeable resources. Questions arise: Could this omission even suggest that the Sumerians knew the pyramids predated the Egyptians? Could it also be that the land our scholars think the Summerians referred to is not Egypt at all? Who knows.

Kramer wrote this book in the 1960s, using extant translations. However, more cuneiform tablets have been translated since. This book covers the history of the ancient cultures of Sumer, Ur, etc., their myths, religion, wars, kingship, government, etc. Although I found it somewhat redundant in many areas, I believe it is a good source of this history, if you know little about it.

Essential reading., 20 Aug 2008
For many years, the definitive text on the Incas was John Hemming's terrific "The Conquest of the Incas'. However, having been written in the 70s, our understanding of the conquest and the life of the Incas has improved considerably. MacQuarrie's effort, that encapsulates these developments, is now the new benchmark for the subject.

If you are even contemplating a trip to Peru, this is essential reading. It's a big book though, so read it before you go (and take Hugh Thompson's wonderful 'The White Rock' with you in your backpack!). The style is a a well thought out logical account of events (insamuch as well as they can be accounted given the lack of any written Inca records and sketchy old Spanish ones). The characters of Pizarro et al are beautifully drawn out - in fact the book reads more like a historical thriller rather than a non-fiction account. Indeed, the whole concept is slightly different from the usual 'conquest' books. Many books take us up the the few years after Pizarro's conquest, but MacQuarrie's takes us all the way to the final end of the Empire, an Incan Braveheart account of the retreat, guerilla warfare and the last stand at Vilcabamba.

In short, it's utterly brilliant - well-written, well researched, educational and exciting. This is what history is all about!!

5 stars, no question. Only one minor gripe and that's that some of the photos could have been in colour - I'm sure they cold ahve found some pics of the Vilcabamba valley in colour, if not Hiram Bingham in 1911 :)

PS. Thompson's 'The White Rock' and Matthew Parris' 'Inca Kola' are also required reading before a Peruvian encounter!







A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

Full of evaluation and a wonder into the culture, 03 Apr 2001
Very interesting, its not as think as you think! Its very specialised, for interest but not a good research tool. Sociology! bah.

It CD takes extracts of particalar music extracts. I think they are too short as its not really an indication.

A World Music Classic, 15 Jul 1999
A pioneering book and eminently useful study. Essential for the world-music fan, along with such volumes as "World Music: The Rough Guide," "Reggae: The Rough Guide" and "The Brazilian Sound."

One of the Classics, 15 Apr 1999
This is a remarkable work that fits African music into its cultural context and is consistently provocative and enlightening. It's a world music classic, along with such studies as "The Latin Tinge," "The Brazilian Sound" and "Catch a Fire."

A masterpiece in analytical cultural exploration, 24 Mar 1999
What begins as a primer in African polyrhythm becomes a spiritual quest to understand culture and humanity. Don't skip the endnotes in this impassioned examination of musical tonality and rhythm. Forging a tentative balance between scholarship and interpretation, Chernoff's book addresses the subconscious dynamics of culture, and unwittingly explains "race" more convincingly than the agitprop self-promoters whose explicit goal is to deconstruct the historical consciences of Africans and Europeans.

A Short Account of the Maya, 15 Jul 1999
Michael Coe tells the story of the Maya civilisation in his usual vivid and captivating style. Latest notes from the excavations in Nakbe, Guatemala bring this account pretty up-to-date. Shorter and less comprehensive than "The Ancient Maya" by R. Sharer, but this is a much quicker read. Great for anyone interested in finding out the basic facts about the Maya of Central America.

Excellent read for those interested in the ancient Mayas, 29 Jun 1999
This book contains a condensed history of an ancient civilisation, which we know so little about. However, the author has managed to collate scattered pieces of information into a very readable yet pertinent book. If you are planning a trip down to Mexico or Guatemala to see the pyramids, I'd suggest you pick up a copy and learn about the history behind those great constructions!

Great book. Mind blowing, 09 May 2007
I love this book. It is written in a style capable of satisfying amateurs and scholars alike, and raises more serious challenges to mainstream dogma. Cosmology is my subject -- obviously there is some overlap -- and this book makes for a great reference work in addition to a fascinating read. I coudln't recommend it strongly enough!

Great book for non experts, 17 Jul 2002
I'd been unsuccessfully looking for a not too technical book about evolution, when I came across this one. The reading is very easy, even when the authors explain somewhat difficult matters, like dating techniques or when they write about geology, anatomy etc.
It's also clear that they have done an enormous data compilation job, trying to give all existing theories a fair chance. They obviously support a specific one, but their aim with this book is to show that, even the most widely accepted theories and discoveries are questionable and that too often personal interests interfere in what should be impartial judgements.

Interesting and one needs an open mind to enjoy it., 11 Jun 2001
The book is interesting and pinpoints archaeologists and anthropologist institutes which refuses to acknowledge ancient sites and artefacts which suggests humanity is far older than convention claims i.e. sites hundreds of thousands years old found in the Americas. Conventional view or belief is that modern man did not go there until around 12,000 - 10,000 years go. Open mindedness would allow unlimited research which is sadly lacking in archaeology at present.

However, I disagree with the authors' views on other non modern 'more primitive' hominids. They appear to be all lumped together as mere 'animal' whether they are the most primitive austropolocus or the more advanced arhiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal. Evidence points to the fact that the latter did make tools and they also buried their dead and possibly mourned them. It could be argued that elephants also mourn their dead but it still does not prove their point. Also despite the fact the book is supported by a Hindu society, it states that modern man was the only hunter among the hominids. I thought Hindus believe that originally modern humans were not hunters either and that hunting by modern humans is a much more recent pastime. Many Hindus are vegetarians.

Also reports of wildmen 'sited' or 'captured' in recent times, the description of them in the book suggests that they are much more primitive and 'animal' than archiac homo sapians such as the Neanderthal though maybe there are decendents of homo erectus still roaming in isolated parts of the world.

The authors argue against anthropologists dismissing evidence that man is far older, but unfortunately, they themselves dismiss what evidence there is that other types of human or hominid made tools etc. But I do agree with the argument that modern man may not have evolved from other hominids such as the homo erectus. That view is logical enough.

Otherwise, regarding the artefacts of millions of years old and very ancient sites found in North and South America, the book is well researched on that subject.

An archaeological perspective, 31 Oct 2000
As an archaeo/anthropologist I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of research presented here. Our record at coping with anomalies ain't good, and it has often been more expedient to ignore the evidence than to reappraise the model. Now that Cremo and Thompson have exposed the cumulative effect of thousands of these minor "adjustments" it may become easier to see what seemed too unique to be really there. They are thorough, non-dogmatic, observers who present substantial evidence without moulding it to fit preconceptions. The same cannot be said of some in this field, academic or otherwise. It would be a great mistake to dismiss them alongside those authors whose enthusiasm is not matched by their scholarship. Their work is genuinely exciting and entertaining and will certainly outlive its critics. I only refrain from giving it five stars because science this much fun seems too good to be true.

All meaning of text destroyed by reading, 12 Apr 2000
I bought this audiotape thinking it was a book but decided to listen to it anyway. I am a big fan of audiobooks.

I have never heard a reading which does so little justice to the text. The words are broken up and stressed almost at random, so that it is very difficult to follow the arguments. Also, the recording is very fuzzy. Do not waste your money on this. The authors have made a big mistake in presenting their work in this way.

Book for beginners only., 18 Nov 2008
I found this book a bit basic. There are too many sketches and nowhere enough decent photos of actual sherds, especially from the Prehistoric period that I'm most interested in. Little discussion of the different types and fabrics - the puzzle of grass tempered ware for instance is skated right over. Alex Gibsons book - "Prehistoric Pottery of Britain and Ireland" - that I also bought is much more satisfying (and cheaper too!).

Disappointing, 27 Aug 2008
I agree with G. Brisdion. The author could have detailed features to look for in particular pottery. But the book comes across as a "here is what this looks like" and "this is when it was used". NOT for the serious student or even the avid amateur.

Invaluable book to own, 11 Jun 2008
For me, this book has been invaluable and has helped me to identify several sherds I have found over the years. Its well illustrated and the author is obviously very knowledgeable on the subject.

Pottery in Britain 4000BC to AD1900: A Guide to Identifying Potsherds, 22 Oct 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this book. I was hoping for more of a reference material but found it shallow and lacking in detail. Also a number of the photographs were slightly out of focus. Definately not a book for a serious student or field worker.

Excellent for studies, 27 Jun 2007
This book has proved vital in my studies of Ancient History. I would recommend this book to those studying but also to novices as this book explains really well the history of the Aztecs.

All pictures and photos are in black and white but as this book is mainly used for study this is not a problem.

Excellent book and also very useful for those studying Anthropology.
Great value for money and highly recommended if you have an interest in this subject.

If texts were everything . . . , 09 Jul 2006
Kramer was the US Sumerian specialist of the post World War II period, and this book, written from his great knowledge of the major literary texts, remains a classic. It includes translations by Kramer of some of the most important literary texts. But it is lop-sided because of the author's complete reliance on the surviving texts. The main period of Sumerian civilization is almost a thousand years long, but there are very few archives of cuneiform texts. Writing a history from the mainly administrative documents and the few literary texts is very hazardous. While Kramer was a language and literature specialist without compare, as a historian he was naive. And he pays almost no attention to the archaeological record. There are more up-to-date general books available by Susan Pollock or Harriet Crawford's Sumer and the Sumerians.

An excellent book on Sumer, 21 Mar 2003
This book is an in-depth study of ancient Sumer, with a great focus on the actual writings of the Sumerians themselves. The author has chapters on history, society, religion, literature, education, and character. As a real bonus, instead of just referencing various Sumerian writings, the author actually reproduces them here with great frequency.

This is a great book, an excellent resource on Sumerian culture. Unfortunately, having been written in 1963, it is rather out-of-date, but is still a fascinating read, and is quite accurate in all of the important points. If you are interested in ancient Sumer, then you must read this book.

A good preliminary look into Ancient Sumer, 30 May 1999
I was hoping to get some confirmation regarding the history of the Sumerians as it relates to the Eqyptians when I purchased this book; however, there was none, other than the fact that they traded with them. Apparently, there is not even any reference in the cuneiform tablets that had been translated to the date of this author's writing that mentions the pyramids of Egypt. Even though the Sumerians were quite exact in describing the plenitude of Egypt's natural resources, I find it odd that that there is no description of Egypt's most obviously recognized feature. I don't know if this is because the pyramids were not built then, or because they were so well-known they didn't feel it was necessary to write about them. Surely, if the pyramids were being built during this period, there would have been some mention of them in the cuneiform tablets, as the Sumerians designated neighboring areas by their most identifiable, visible topographical differences, or tradeable resources. Questions arise: Could this omission even suggest that the Sumerians knew the pyramids predated the Egyptians? Could it also be that the land our scholars think the Summerians referred to is not Egypt at all? Who knows.

Kramer wrote this book in the 1960s, using extant translations. However, more cuneiform tablets have been translated since. This book covers the history of the ancient cultures of Sumer, Ur, etc., their myths, religion, wars, kingship, government, etc. Although I found it somewhat redundant in many areas, I believe it is a good source of this history, if you know little about it.

Essential reading., 20 Aug 2008
For many years, the definitive text on the Incas was John Hemming's terrific "The Conquest of the Incas'. However, having been written in the 70s, our understanding of the conquest and the life of the Incas has improved considerably. MacQuarrie's effort, that encapsulates these developments, is now the new benchmark for the subject.

If you are even contemplating a trip to Peru, this is essential reading. It's a big book though, so read it before you go (and take Hugh Thompson's wonderful 'The White Rock' with you in your backpack!). The style is a a well thought out logical account of events (insamuch as well as they can be accounted given the lack of any written Inca records and sketchy old Spanish ones). The characters of Pizarro et al are beautifully drawn out - in fact the book reads more like a historical thriller rather than a non-fiction account. Indeed, the whole concept is slightly different from the usual 'conquest' books. Many books take us up the the few years after Pizarro's conquest, but MacQuarrie's takes us all the way to the final end of the Empire, an Incan Braveheart account of the retreat, guerilla warfare and the last stand at Vilcabamba.

In short, it's utterly brilliant - well-written, well researched, educational and exciting. This is what history is all about!!

5 stars, no question. Only one minor gripe and that's that some of the photos could have been in colour - I'm sure they cold ahve found some pics of the Vilcabamba valley in colour, if not Hiram Bingham in 1911 :)

PS. Thompson's 'The White Rock' and Matthew Parris' 'Inca Kola' are also required reading before a Peruvian encounter!







A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civi