A History of the Roman People 5th Edition

Title of the book: A History of the Roman People

Author: Allen M Ward, Fritz M Heichelheim, Cedirc A. Yeo

Publisher: Prentice Hall

Publishing Date: 2010

ISBN: 9780205695263

Summary:

The Fifth Edition of "A History of the Roman People "continues to provide a comprehensive analytical survey of Roman history from its prehistoric roots in Italy and the wider Mediterranean world to the dissolution of the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity in A.D. 600. Clearly organized and highly readable, the text's narrative of major political and military events provides a chronological and conceptual framework for the social, economic, and cultural developments of the periods covered. Major topics are treated separately so that students can easily grasp key concepts and ideas.

Author Info:

N/A

Personal Opinion:

Honestly, this textbook,  at least according to my standards, deserves 3.5 stars. Its readable, shock-full of information and seems to be highly pertinent whether studying Roman history or investigating trajectory of the future of USA. I have read it cover to cover and definitely found it fascinating, especially as it starts in ancient times and goes up until modern 6th century, ending at Byzantine Empire, in particular quite a bit after the reign of Justinian, the one that was married to Empress Theodora. So yes, literally from Paleolithic Age to 6th century ME. So why does this textbook deserve 3.5 stars? I think my main complaint is that it makes Judaism appear like a dead and unhappy religion. While it paid lip service to Judaism, especially the travails and hardships endured, it never mentioned how Jews coped or what they had done during those travails. It never mentioned how Jews came up with Talmud and the writings. It also, or so I felt, didn't have enough information about women. But yes, I learned more about christianity than I ever desired. 

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)