The Sumerians

"[a] stimulating new book, The Sumerians, the latest contribution to the Lost Civilizations series. . . The Sumerians, for all their doubtful status as a formal society, have a remarkable list of achievements to their credit. Besides being the world’s earliest attested civilization in the fourth millennium BCE, they invented cuneiform – the world’s earliest writing – and the sexagesimal system of mathematics. Their cities, such as Uruk and Ur, were the headquarters of the world’s earliest city-states, with bureaucracies, legal codes, divisions of labor, and a money economy . . . a civilization made vivid by Collins’s clear and expert text." - Science
"An essential work for the study of the Mongol Empire and for Eastern Europe. Roman Hautala does a masterful job of untangling the complicated knots of the history of the Golden Horde and then weaves it into an expansive, but lucid, narrative covering 300 years. For the size and duration of the empire, this volume is concise, yet still remains comprehensive." - Timothy May, University of North Georgia, author of The Mongol Empire and The Mongol Art of War
"A highly readable, fully authoritative account of all aspects of the ways of life of the Sumerians, one of the most important peoples of the ancient world. Paul Collins also covers the issue of the discovery and rediscovery of the Sumerians very effectively, bringing to life not just the Sumerians themselves but also the early travellers and antiquarians who first engaged with them. The book, too, is superbly illustrated." - Roger Matthews, Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology, University of Reading
"a brief but useful overview of the fascinating Hittite civilization . . . Written in a popular style and including several helpful illustrations (many in color), this book will be of interest and value to any readers interested in ancient history. Recommended." - Choice
"In this fascinating monograph, Collins provides a thought-provoking study of the Sumerians as representing the most ancient of all civilizations. Instead of presenting a traditional descriptive account, Collins explores how archaeological and textual sources were used over the past 150 years to construct multiple and often-conflicting notions of the ancient land called Sumer and the people who became known as the Sumerians . . . Well-written, well-illustrated, and well-documented, this volume will be of great interest to both scholars and students. Highly recommended." - Choice
"[A] stimulating new book, The Sumerians, the latest contribution to the Lost Civilizations series . . . The Sumerians, for all their doubtful status as a formal society, have a remarkable list of achievements to their credit. Besides being the world’s earliest attested civilization in the fourth millennium BCE, they invented cuneiform – the world’s earliest writing – and the sexagesimal system of mathematics. Their cities, such as Uruk and Ur, were the headquarters of the world’s earliest city-states, with bureaucracies, legal codes, divisions of labor, and a money economy . . . a civilization made vivid by Collins’s clear and expert text." - Science
"Based on substantial research and written in a clear, elegant style, Damien Stone’s book presents for the general reader a concise coverage of all aspects of Hittite history and civilization, from the beginning of the Bronze Age Hittite era down to the Neo-Hittite kingdoms which followed the Hittite empire’s collapse." - Trevor Bryce, Honorary Professor in Classics, the University of Queensland, and author of The Kingdom of the Hittites
"An engaging adventure through the land of Hatti that explores not only the complexity of Hittite society, but the rich legacy of textual and material remains that have survived antiquity. Skilfully written, The Hittites is brimming with historical anecdotes and characters – a joy to read." - Candace Richards, Assistant Curator Nicholson Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
"In this fascinating monograph, Collins provides a thought-provoking study of the Sumerians as representing the most ancient of all civilizations. Instead of presenting a traditional descriptive account, Collins explores how archaeological and textual sources were used over the past 150 years to construct multiple and often-conflicting notions of the ancient land called Sumer and the people who became known as the Sumerians . . . Well-written, well-illustrated, and well-documented, this volume will be of great interest to both scholars and students. Highly recommended." - Choice
"This is an important book . . . a vital and thought-provoking contribution to the study of the ancient Middle East, and is written in such a way that readers beyond those working in the field will also find it accessible. The book is attractively laid out, with beautiful color illustrations and the text formatted in a clear, readable font." - Amanda H. Podany, Journal of the American Oriental Society
"This is an important book . . . a vital and thought-provoking contribution to the study of the ancient Middle East, and is written in such a way that readers beyond those working in the field will also find it accessible. The book is attractively laid out, with beautiful color illustrations and the text formatted in a clear, readable font." - Amanda H. Podany, Journal of the American Oriental Society
"For hundreds of years the Hittite kings, from their citadel in highland Turkey, played a dominant role in the international politics of the Eastern Mediterranean. In this highly readable account, rich in detail and wide in scope, Damien Stone explores the fascinating world of the Hittites, empire-builders and innovators, by weaving a tapestry that draws equally from material and textual remains. Stone offers a clear outline of complex issues and debates and provides insight into the social and economic structures of the civilization. We not only marvel at the innovations of the Hittite military, but meet literate female ritual specialists, learn about the world’s first trade embargo and wonder at the forging of relations between human and divine." - Margaret C. Miller, Emerita Professor of Classical Archaeology, The University of Sydney
"A highly readable, fully authoritative account of all aspects of the ways of life of the Sumerians, one of the most important peoples of the ancient world. Paul Collins also covers the issue of the discovery and rediscovery of the Sumerians very effectively, bringing to life not just the Sumerians themselves but also the early travellers and antiquarians who first engaged with them. The book, too, is superbly illustrated." - Roger Matthews, Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology, University of Reading
"Damien Stone's The Hittites is the latest in Reaktion's Lost Civilizations series, which aims to 'explore the rise and fall of the great civilizations and peoples of the ancient world'. Through examination of the documents and material remains of the civilization, the book discusses the Hittites' military and political history, their religion, society and culture in a concise and accessible format . . . First and foremost, this book is intended as an overview, something that provides enough tantalizing snippets to encourage the reader to find out more . . . Stone is, however, an excellent tour guide: showing the main highlights, providing the odd anecdote and expertly explaining the nuances of the material culture, while tempting visitors to return for a longer sojourn in the land of the Hatti . . . Stone has shown this largely forgotten civilization to be worthy of attention . . . [and] proven that the Hittites are still relevant and important today. Stone has, then, fulfilled his task admirably and provided a solid contribution to the Lost Civilizations series." - Debbie Kilroy, Get History