Great Cities Of the Ancient World: Athens And Ancient Greece

Want proof that the modern attention span has dwindled over the centuries? Check this: in Athens, theatregoers would sit and watch 4 or 5 plays in a row on stone seats with no fanny cushion. Who among us today is capable of such an Olympian feat? Combining computer technology, amiable narration, and good location shooting, this volume in the Great Cities of the Ancient World takes viewers on a tour of the grandeur that was Greece. Visiting some 25 landmark structures--from the Acropolis to the Temple of Apollo--in Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Mycenae, Santorini, and Atlantis (no location shots here), Athens and Ancient Greece beefs up the visuals by including action-oriented color-tinted film clips from early movies (including Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia). Part history, part travel documentary, there's even a recipe for the erstwhile popular Spartan Black Soup (mix a pound of pork meat with one cup of pig's blood, add some salt and herbs, and call me when it's ready). A second title in the series, The Pyramids and the Cities of the Pharaohs is also available. Similar to The Story of Rome and Pompeii (VL-1/94) in approach, this is an excellent choice for both public and school libraries. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)