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 society, industry, commerce, religion, art and literature.
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)
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.