Ancient Times: A History of the Early World

by James Henry Breasted

Vol. 2 of a 2 Vol. Set. An introduction to the study of ancient history and the career of early man. It was the purpose of the author to make this book sufficiently simple to be put into the hands of a first year high school student. A great deal of labor was devoted to the mere task of clear and simple statement and arrangement. In dealing with each civilization, a sufficient framework of political organization and of historical events has been laid down; but the bulk of the space has been devoted to the life of man in all its manifestations: society, industry, commerce, religion, art and literature.

Genres: History, Ancient, Egyptology

823 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1916

About the author

James Henry Breasted was an American archaeologist, Egyptologist, and historian. After completing his PhD at the University of Berlin in 1894, he joined the faculty of the University of Chicago. In 1901 he became director of the Haskell Oriental Museum at the University of Chicago, where he continued to concentrate on Egypt. In 1905 Breasted was promoted to professor, and was the first chair in Egyptology and Oriental History in the United States. In 1919 he became the founder of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago.
(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kevin Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally read this cover to cover - one of the better books I've ever read. Clear writing with a personal style that is enjoyable to savor. Read it slowly if possible; doesn't need to be read all at once. Breasted was a true historian. Written during the First World War. This will serve as a textbook for any good ancient history course and has good end-of-chapter questions to remind you of what you've learned. Highly recommended.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great history book by James Breasted. Covers the early days from cave men all the way up to Alexander the Great.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe that this was written for high school, this is a brilliant summary of ancient history.

[hydraphoris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breasted may be a decent historian but not even close to a fine Egyptologist, his chapter had a few flaws and lacked as in content. He has a bad reputation among Egyptologists as in seeking scandalous archeological finds or straight up faking rumours etc... I mean he's just a white man who lived 100 years ago and it sucks that i occasionally need to shut my feminist mind up