MBR: The World History Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Mentors To The Romans
Richard M. Bongiovanni
Good Enterprises of Colorado
10215 W. 79th Way, Arvada, Colorado 80005-3745
0976342707 $29.95
Drawn from the author's ten years of research into archaeological,
historical, and linguistic evidence of Etruscan civilization in Europe
and the Near East, Mentors To The Romans: The Search for the Etruscans
is an in-depth overview of what is known and what can be extrapolated
about this ancient and mysterious civilization. Black-and-white
diagrams and illustrations enhance chapter discussing how suppositions
concerning the Etruscans has been traced through various types of
evidence; what is known with some degree of certainty about Etruscan
daily life; and much more. As fascinating for the lay reader as it is
informative to professional archaeologists and historians, and
recommended for library and personal history, archaeology, and ancient
civilization reference shelves.
A People's History Of Iraq
Ilario Salucci
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
www.haymarketbooks.org
1931859140 $12.00 1-773-583-7884
A People's History Of Iraq: The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers'
Movements, And The Left 1924-2004 is an in-depth critical analysis of
the Iraqi Communist Party and its contributions to the worker's
movement and the Left in Iraq. From its history of standing up to
British occupiers and the installed monarchy, to its resistance to
Saddam Hussein's ruthless dictatorship, to its role in helping to shape
Iraq's present and future, A People's History Of Iraq sheds light on a
very overlooked aspect of Iraqi politics and social forces. Highly
recommended for library and individual history shelves.
Unmaking Imperial Russia
Serhii Plokhy
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
www.utppublishing.com
0802039375 $95.00 1-800-565-9523
Author and historian Serhii Pokhy presents Unmaking Imperial Russia, an
examination of the framework in which Russian history in general and
Ukranian history in particular is viewed. In particular, the work of
Ukranian historian Mykhailo Hrushevsky (1866-1934) is closely
scrutinized, as Hrushevsky, who became the first head of the
independent Ukranian state in 1918, dared to challenge the
"all-Russian" historical paradigm and create a history that
nationalized the Ukraine's past. Drawing upon both present-day and
Hrushevsky's amassed knowledge of linguistics, anthropology, ethnology,
and archaeology, Unmaking Imperial Russia strives to give a more
accurate and in-depth understanding of Ukraine history, and
specifically expose misconceptions brought about by over-reliace on the
"Imperial Russia" history model. Unmaking Imperial Russia is therefore
one step removed from a standard history text, as it strives to
reexamine popularly held lessons of history and draw new conclusions
about and from the past. A welcome contribution to world history
shelves.
The Golden Age Of Islam
Maurice Lombard, author
Joan Spencer, translator
Markus Wiener Publishing
231 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
www.markuswiener.com
1558763228 $22.95 1-609-921-1141
Skillfully translated into English, The Golden Age Of Islam is a
historical exmination of the Islamic world from the seventh to the
eleventh centuries. Chapters discuss cultural, racial, and linguistic
differences between different geographic areas; monetary power and
urban rhythms; and the powerful influence and complex dynamics of
trade. A handful of black-and-white maps and illustrations enhance the
clearly worded yet compact overview of great events and notable figures
of the era. An excellent resource for library and history reference
shelves.
Visual Meaning In The Bayeux Tapestry
J. Bard McNulty
The Edwin Mellen Press
PO Box 450, Lewiston, NY 14092-0450
www.edwinmellenpress.com
0773466185 $89.95 1-716-754-2788
J. Bard McNulty (former Chairman of the Department of English, Trinity
College, Hartford) is an acclaimed expert on the Bayeux Tapestry having
written "The Narrative Art of the Bayeux Tapestry Master" (1989), as
well as having lectured on the tapestry in number academic conferences
in the United States, England, France, and Italy. In Visual Meaning In
The Bayeux Tapestry: Problems And Solutions In Picturing History,
Professor McNulty begins with an introduction to the anomalies of the
Tapestry's account of William the Conquer's invasion and conquest of
England in 1066 AD, and the use of pictures as vehicles of historical
narrative. Professor McNulty then turns to addressing modern
difficulties with the Tapestry's account and the expanding context of
Tapestry studies. Additional chapters are devoted to "Borders:
Relationships Among Images"; "A Case Study: Harold in France"; and "The
Tapestry's 'Kind'". Enhanced with extensive Notes, a Bibliography, and
an index, Visual Meaning In The Bayeux Tapestry is a seminal and highly
recommended work of impeccable scholarship, representing an enduring
contribution to our historical understanding for, and appreciation of,
the Bayeux Tapestry.
Building The King's Highway
Bruce A. Castleman
University of Arizona Press
355 South Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719-6654
www.uapress.arizona.edu
0816524394 $39.95 1-800-426-3797
Building The King's Highway: Labor, Society, And Family On Mexico's
Caminos Reales 1757-1804 is a scholarly social history of the road
construction labors who worked in late Bourbon Mexico. The importance
of the silver trade for the Spanish colonial effort is thoroughly
documented, but the efforts of those who created the roads upon which
trade moved is much less well-known. Building The King rectifies this
imbalance by meticulously scritinizing patterns of the road workers'
lives, transitions from draft to free-wage labor, notable events during
the construction of individual roads, and much more. A focused and
in-depth analysis, and a welcome addition to college library and world
history shelves.
Greenwood Press
PO Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881-5007
www.greenwood.com
These outstanding new titles are recommended picks not only for public
and college library holdings, but for high school upper grade levels.
Marilyn Stokstad's Medieval Castles (0313325251, $45.00) blends thirty
illustrations with twenty brief biographies of rulers, builders, and
histories of medieval castles, reviewing both military and social
systems to consider the construction and popularity of castles and
other fortifications of their times. From different castle purposes to
the symbolism of architecture, Medieval Castles is a highly recommended
addition to Greenwood's 'Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval
World' series. Another strong addition to the series if Matthew S.
Gordon's Rise Of Islam (0313325227, $45.00), covering the birth of
Islam in the 7th century and its expansion from the Arab world to the
collapse of the Islamic empire in the early 10th century. The focus on
how the new religion merged with social goals to become a worldwide
influence is particularly intriguing. Charles Killinger's Culture And
Customs Of Italy (0313324891, $49.95) joins others in Greenwood's
'Culture and Customs of Europe' series to explore the land, people and
history of Italy. Food, sports, literature and religion alike are
examined in relation to Italian life and modern customs.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to
promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We
accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to
post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites,
newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational
newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book
Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines
"Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch",
"Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
If you would like to submit a review for inclusion in our Midwest Book
Review publications, please send an email request to m...@execpc.com for
our "Reviewer Guidelines". We invite your comments, questions and
suggestions.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129