The Library of Alexandria

by Kelly Trumble, Robina MacIntyre Marshall (Illustrator)

The Library of Alexandria was the largest library of its time and a major center for learning and scholarly research, particularly in the fields of astronomy, geography, mathematics, and medicine. Caesar and Cleopatra, Erastosthenes and Euclid, Archimedes and Alexander the Great are just a few of the famous people connected to its story. Today, historians still argue about how the library was destroyed, and no one knows exactly what it looked like, yet there is no question that the library continues to fascinate and intrigue us. This extensively researched look at what we do know about the Library of Alexandria features Kelly Trumble’s short, accessible chapters, and richly detailed full-color paintings by Robina MacIntyre Marshall. Together, they tell the story of one of the wonders of the ancient world, and show how its influence as continued long after its destruction. Glossary, suggested reading, selected bibliography, index.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Books About Books, Picture Books, Ancient, Childrens, Africa

80 pages, Hardcover

First published November 17, 2003

Reviews

[Wes Hazard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes if I'm thinking about learning more about a big topic (usually biographical/historical/art type stuff) I'll read a Young Adult non-fiction book about it. That way I can get a basic but wide-ranging & lucid footing in the subject and then decide if it's something I want to continue to learn about. If so, hooray, I can move up to more complex/comprehensive materials. If not, I at least got some tidbits that can potentially pay-off in barroom trivia down the line and I've used up a pretty small piece of reading time, no real loss.

That's the story that brought me to Trumble's The Library of Alexandria. And I'll say that it's definitely led me to doing more research on the iconic (and doomed) institution. This is a solid YA offering with a wealth of good, but not amazing, full-page illustrations.

Less a history of the Library itself than a general overview of the political/intellectual scene under the Ptolemic dynasty in ancient Alexandria the book covers the achievements and historical importance of a variety of kings, mathematicians, engineers, etc. Caesar, Cleopatra, Euclid, Archimedes, Herophilus, all get their due in brief but effective sketches discussing their innovations and continued relevance. A history of the Library itself is given, along with very general explanations of its holdings and the work that went on there. The historical record itself is relatively sketchy and this book is a general YA overview so there's not an incredible amount of detail, but if you know a kid aged 7-11 who's into history you could do a lot worse than getting this book for them. I'm definitely looking forward to reading a general adult work on the subject, possibly even a scholarly one, we'll see. Either way, well done.

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not.a great treatment of a very exciting subject. But the only one on LoA for children, astonishingly enough. Though it's supposedly for YA as well as for MG, I wouldn't like to give it to a high school student who was reading up to grade level; the syntax , the vocabulary, the assumptions of prior knowledge seemed like they were about 6th. Trimble has a nice prose style but she really doesn't tell that much about Alexandria itself. The book is chopped up into biographies of stellar Alexandrians for the most part, and they would be better addressed as sidebars within the text. (Though they are stellar: Alexander himself, Galen, Strabo, Euclic, Archimedes, Ptolemy, are just a few.) As far as illustrations go, as all the critics have complained, these drawings are lifeless and dull. But the author does include a lovely map of Alexander's conquests, a family tree of the Ptolemies, a glossary of terms and an excellent bibliography.

[Sarah Tollok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an adult who went looking for a concise book about the Library of Alexandria. I found it in this book, which happened to be located in the juvenile non fiction section of my library. It was perfect! Good overview of the life of the library and enough detail that, if I wanted to delve into any aspect of the history further, I would know how to best search for it.

The bonus was an illustration of a naked Archimedes, fresh from a public bath, running through the streets of Alexandria shouting, "Eureka!"

[Tamsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I was a sucker for the pictures in this book. It is beautifully illustrated, and it drew me in. It drew my 3-year-old son in too, so I told him what was happening in the pictures. This is one I hope to revisit in a few years when he reaches that stage in our homeschooling.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd learn a little bit more about the actual Library of Alexandria but still a very interesting book. The bits about mathematics, medicine, astronomy, etc. were interesting but just not what I was expecting.

[Andrew ✝️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a short, but fascinating look at history. The title is a bit misleading, though. It's more about people who had books in the library than it is about the library itself. I only noticed one issue. On pg 24, we read about Erastothenes and his geography. He measured things in 'stades,' but it says, "we don't know exactly how long a stade was." However, on pg 59, it says that the Hepstasdion, the causeway between Alexandria and the island of Pharos, was so named because it was seven stades long. I'm not an expert on geography or mathematics, necessarily, but if the Hepstasdion is seven stades long, couldn't you just do the math to discover roughly how long a stade is? 3 stars.

[David Cuatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done overview of ancient Alexandria, from its' origin by Alexander the Great to its' eventual destruction. Geography, famous residents , scope of its' book collection, etc. are all covered. Even a quick discussion about the making of papyrus and parchment! Recommended for anyone wanting an easy read and basic information about this famous piece of history.

[Pamela Gunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embarrassed to admit, I really don't know much about the Library of Alexandria, so I found a Children's book and read up the basics. Very interesting and fascinating at the same time! A very quick, very basic book. (I do have an adult book on this to read next!)

[Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, easy read about the most important library. I appreciated the Names and Terms section at the back of the book which provided pronunciations and definitions for the Greek words. This book is meant for young people and may be appreciated by adults.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since there is actually very little information about the Library of Alexandria itself, Trumble follows the story of the library though the biographies of the people involved in its creation, maintenance, the people who contributed to its knowledge, its fires and and its ultimate decline.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A children's nonfiction book about the infamous library. More of an explanation of its formation & importance than a discussion of its demise. Nice intro but too brief to satisfy my curiosities.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to non-fiction and historical reading for children. Probably appropriate for 4ht grade and up. Lots of full color pictures to enhance the experience and entice reluctant readers.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trumble takes readers back in time and tells about the formation of this legendary library, the famous men who helped build it and studied there, and how it likely came to disappear. Ms Trumble does a good job of making it clear what is unclear, where historical information came from if not from primary sources, and lays all this out in a fairly readable (well, as much as possible with so many Ptolemys involved) and easily understood format accompanied on every spread by a full color captivating illustration by Robina Marshall. There are maps, a glossary, an index, and some further information in the back of the book.

This would be a great resource for math classes, science classes, and social studies classes as much of the Greek and Roman empires' history is entwined in the telling of the library, and by association, many famous scientists and mathematicians.

[Najibah Bakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku yang dibeli melalui Google Play ini ringkas setebal 86 halaman sahaja, menceritakan mengenai Perpustakaan Iskandariah, bermula dari sejarah pembukaan kota Iskandariah, sehingga musnahnya perpustakaan dan tradisi keilmuan Greek di sana.

Gaya naratif yang tidak terlalu akademik memudahkan pembaca, tetapi tetap berisi banyak maklumat berguna mengenai pembangunan koleksi perpustakaan, jumlah koleksi, pustakawan-pustakawan, Mouseion yang bersebelahan tempat sarjana berkumpul dan kehebatan sarjana2 zaman klasik Greek.

Buku ini juga menolak dakwaan palsu mengenai sebaran pada abad ke-13 mengenai tindakan 'Amr membakar perpustakaan Iskandariah, sedangkan perpustakaan itu sudah musnah sejak tahun 391 oleh para pengikut Kristian yang taksub. Manakala Islam hanya mengambil alih pemerintahan Mesir dan Iskandariah pada kurun ke-7 Masihi.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview of important academic developments in the classical era; helps reinforce relationships between rulers, philosophers, locations, and the influence of their ideas. Artwork is detailed and interesting. A worthwhile succinct resource, written at about a jr high level.

An interesting point: Claudius Ptolemy's underestimation of the actual size of the earth gave adventurers courage to explore the world based on an inaccurate concept of how far away things might be from each other. (Also, he had no information about the Americas to add to his map.)

[Mauri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book walks the line between entertaining and boring, informative and useless. It isn't interesting enough for children to enjoy and it isn't informative enough for students to use as a resource. It isn't even good enough to give adults a brief idea of Alexandria's class and culture.

Get it from the library, look at the illustrations(though not too closely, the figures are oddly out of proportion), then go to wikipedia.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about the story of the Library of Alexandria. It gives a brief history of its vast collections, rivalry with the Pergamum Library, famous scholars, and subsequent destruction by fire. It has beautiful pictures.

[Kcastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

NIce introduction to the Library of Alexandria and the importance it had.

[Jocie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a youth book, but I really enjoyed it. I don't know much about ancient history, this broadened my knowledge base.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOt only informative, but also beautifully illustrated.