Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids

Cook, Hugo. Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids. 2024. 160p. ISBN 9781684493807.

Tales of Ancient Egypt is a captivating journey through the rich history of the ancient civilization of Egypt. Moving beyond the familiar story of Tutankhamun, this book delves into a wealth of lesser-known tales, including the daring escape of Cleopatra to meet Julius Caesar and the Cinderella-like tale of a peasant girl who married the pharaoh. The book seamlessly blends historical accounts with fascinating myths, offering a vibrant tapestry of love, betrayal, and royal intrigue.

Beyond the engaging narratives, Tales of Ancient Egypt provides valuable insights into Egyptian history and culture. Readers will learn about the construction of pyramids, the intricate process of mummification, and the role of gods and goddesses in ancient Egyptian society. With its engaging storytelling, meticulous research, and stunning visual presentation, this book is an great introduction to ancient Egypt for young readers, sparking their curiosity and inspiring further exploration.

After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations

Cline, Eric H. After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations. Book 12 of the Turning Points in Ancient History series. 2024. 352p. ISBN 9780691192130.

Climate change, social fractures, wars and famines are currently plaguing the world, worrying some that humans are forever modifying the planet, and not for the better. Dr. Cline points out in After 1177 that we have been here before. During the late Bronze Age of the 1200s BCE, the climate shifted, and areas known as the fertile crescent suddenly suffered massive droughts, causing a collapse in food supply and reducing the population by more than half over three hundred years.

A process that began in 1200 BCE culminated in the collapse of empires, with Egypt and Crete sinking into poverty and strife, while the Hittites simply melting away and never returning. Prosperous cities fell into disuse and eventually disappeared. Trade routes were abandoned, and commerce all but stopped over long distances. The civilizations in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean sputtered along for another three hundred years until decades of rain ushered in a renewed prosperity, with new empires such as the Assyrians. new kingdoms such as the Israelites, the Phoenicians, and the resurgence of old countries like Egypt and Greece. 

Along with renewed commerce ties, the exploitation of iron and the constant food surplus led to a renewed interest in massive buildings. A simplified writing system spread throughout the Mediterranean, influencing ancient Greek and Latin. New cities were founded, and prosperity was restored. 

After 1177 explores how some societies were able to transform themselves in the face of catastrophic climactic, geographic, and political events, while others failed to do so and were consigned to the dustbin of history. The resilience of these societies point to possible avenues for us to explore as we attempt to maintain our own societies in the face of drastic changes coming our way.

You might also enjoy Guns, Germs, and Steel or Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization

Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World

Elliott, Colin. Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World. 2024. 328p. ISBN 9780691219158. 

Rome has a long an dramatic history as a city that conquered the world and imposed its rule from Britain to Arabia, and from Germany to north Africa. The death of Julius Caesar destroyed what remained of the Roman Republic, and the civil wars that ensued ended when Augustus ascended the throne. For 150 years, rulers came and went, Romans fought each other, but the Roman Empire kept on expanding, imposing a set of common laws, measures, and, to some extent, a shared language. By the 170s, Rome was at its zenith.

But the timid peace imposed by Roman arms, known as Pax Romana, was shattered by the arrival of a strange disease that affected the young and the old, as most diseases do, but also healthy adults, especially soldiers. The Antonine plague, as this disease was known, spread like wild fire, much like the Black Plague would a millenium later, devastating entire cities and regions. Combined with a decade-long famine due to climatic conditions in Egypt, the equilibrium that maintained Rome at the top of the ancient Western world came tumbling down, and though the Roman world endured for another 300 years, the Empire was never able to regain its footing and glory.

Looking through historical evidence to determine what this disease could have been, the Antonine plague was most likely the world's first pandemic, affecting the globe from China to Britain and into Africa. Over the course of five or six years, the plague wound its way through the Roman world, destroying legions, savaging the economy, and exposing that the Roman foundation of prosperity and peace rested on quickly shifting sand. Examining reports from the era, and reconstructing the history of the times, Pox Romana convincingly argues that the first pandemic started the inexorable decline and fall of the Roman Empire, but that this process was hastened by conditions that existed prior to the arrival of the pandemic.

Fans of history and of the Roman Empire will appreciate the scope and breath of Pox Romana and will explore a time where, at the height of its power, the Empire was already collapsing from within.

The Lightning Thief

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. Book 1 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. 2005. 377p. ISBN 9780786838653. Available at FIC RIO on the library shelves.

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson has never known his father, and though his mother does her best to protect him, her no-good husband, Percy's stepfather, is a self-centered and abusive jerk who wants Percy out. Attending a private school, Percy once again finds himself close to being suspended. Despite himself, he's always getting in trouble. It's as if trouble followed him wherever he goes... At school, Percy's only friend Grover does his best to help him stay on the right path, but it is so difficult. The only thing Percy enjoys is his Latin class, where the teacher makes the antique world come alive.

On a class field trip to a museum, Percy is attacked by his math teacher, and soon discovers that he is in fact the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. The Greek gods survived to today, and they continue to toy with humanity. Someone stole Zeus' lightning bolt, and Percy has been blamed for the theft, and Poseidon is threatened with war if it is not returned. Percy is stunned to learn all of this from his friend Grover, who is actually a Satyr sent to protect him.

Percy's mother decides to take him to Camp Half-Blood for his own protection, because all kinds of mythological monsters and beasts are now hunting him, but she is killed by a Minotaur on the border of the camp. Camp Half-Blood is a safe space for the children of the gods, and there Percy meets Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and soon he, Grover, and Annabeth find themselves on a quest to retrieve the lightning bolt, save his mother from Hades, and prevent a war between the gods. Percy will need all of his wits to survive a cross-country trip with gods, monsters, and beasts all wanting to be the ones to capture him and deliver him to Zeus for swift punishment....

A fantastical tale where the gods are still present and living in New York City, the story of Percy combines heroics of Greek mythology and modern sensibilities to deliver a fast-paced tale that readers who appreciate fantasy or tales from the antiquity will surely enjoy.

Lore Olympus, Vol. 1

Smythe, Rachel. Lore Olympus, Vol. 1. 2021. 384p. ISBN 9780593160299. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Hades is the king of the underworld, and his life is pretty lonely. The other gods make fun of him, and the guy usually is an afterthought in his brother Zeus' mind. Invited to yet another of Zeus' parties, Hades calls the nymph Minthe to see if she will join him. She declines, and Hades finds himself alone once again at a social gathering. 

Persephone is invited to the same party by her roommate Artemis, and the two girls have a good time.  Hades notices Persephone and he is instantly smitten. Wanting to get back at him for indiscrete comments he made, Hera, wife of Zeus, arranges for Eros, god of love, to get Persephone drunk and leave her in Hades' car, causing an embarrassing situation for the both of them. 

Hades doesn't notice Persephone until he arrive back to his mansion. He takes her inside and places her in a bedroom. When she awakes, she strolls through the mansion before encountering Cerberus, whom she quickly tames. Finally, Hades and Persephone spend some time together talking about live and love. But soon enough it is time to return to the world above, and Persephone leaves Hades behind. Hades is still smitten, but since Persephone doesn't have a cellphone, he has no way of contacting her.

Meanwhile, Apollo, brother to Artemis, attempts to seduce Persephone, since he's certain she deserves better than the god of death. As Persephone experiences her own tragedy, Hades finally connects some dots and realizes that Persephone has been trying to reach him ...

A modern remake of an ancient tale, that of Hades and Persephone, Lore Olympus is rendered in sharp colorful contrasts and witty dialogs. The characters inhabit our current world, and have the same tools and gadgets we use. Plus, their issues are very human ones as well. Fans of Greek mythology will appreciate this story, and graphic novel lovers will enjoy the gorgeous illustrations.

Rise of the Wolf

Nielsen, Jennifer. Rise of the Wolf. Book 2 of the Mark of the Thief series. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9780545562041. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

While Nic and his younger sister Livia now live in Rome, away from the slave mines where he was forced to work in The Mark of the Thief, dangers continue to surround him as his grandfather, General Radulf, moves forward with his plan to destroy the Roman Empire from within, using cunning and magic. However, Radulf's enemies, the Praetors, are themselves on the move, and they seek to awaken the Mistress, a Vestal virgin who was buried alive after betraying Julius Caesar three hundred years ago. She possesses a powerful magical artifact that can then be used to craft a Jupiter stone, delivering power to their faction. Their ultimate goal is to help the goddess Diana overthrow the gods and, by extension, Rome.

Despite his misgivings and his fraught relationship with Aurelia and his grandfather, Nic finds he has no choice but to help the Praetors, for they hold his mother captive. Short on time and ideas, Nic makes one more bargain with their leader, Brutus. In four days' time, there will be a chariot race, and Nic will compete against whomever the Praetors want to send against them. If he wins, they will leave him alone, free his mother, and never seek to use his magical abilities again. If he loses, he agrees to go with them and sacrifice himself to create the Jupiter stone.

With his life and that of his friends and family, yet alone the fate of Rome, in the balance, Nic is about to discover whether his magic is powerful enough to defeat an ancient threat ...

Heroes in Greek Mythology

Nardo, Don. Heroes in Greek Mythology. Part of the Library of Greek Mythology series. 2017. 80p. ISBN 978-1-60152-968-8. Available at 398.2 NAR on the library shelves.

Of all of the ancient Greek myths, from monsters to gods and goddesses, from creation stories to natural phenomena, all of these share a central element, that of a hero. The hero of myths was bigger than life, with an outsized personality and powers that derived from the gods and put them out of the leagues of most mortals. From Achilles' invulnerability in battle, except for the heel that wasn't dipped in the river Styx, to strong Heracles, heroes were able to do things that most humans were not able to. They mingled freely with the gods. They fought and protected Greece from its enemies. They fought against oppression and chaos. And in their stories was redemption and hope.

Told by the ancient Greeks to explain the world around them, heroes were from another age, and often inspired by real people who had played major roles during Greece's bronze age five hundred years earlier. Many of the heroes fought against monsters such as giants, cyclops, or Medusa. Some fought for true love, defying Hades and retrieving a lost soul from the Underworld. Others toppled tyrants and dictators. Some were on quests, sometimes of their choosing, like Jason and the Argonauts, but sometimes as punishment, such as Odysseus. Others were lovers whose relationship was so pure the gods wept to see them so happy. All of them, however, remain popular and relevant to this day, permeating our own culture and connecting us to universal ideals, impulses, and desires.

Books in this series include:

• Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology
• Heroes in Greek Mythology
• Monsters in Greek Mythology

Monsters in Greek Mythology

Nardo, Don. Monsters in Greek Mythology. Part of the Library of Greek Mythology series. 2017. 80p. ISBN 978-1-60152-970-1. Available at 398.2 NAR on the library shelves.

Myths often use elements of reality and incorporate them into fantastic descriptions to explain a specific phenomenon or a historical occurrence. For the ancient Greeks, monsters were part and parcel of their experiences. How could they explain the skulls of prehistoric elephants with a hole in the middle where the trunk would be attached? Cyclops. How about the deadliest animals for humans, raptor birds, big cats, and venomous snakes? Flying dragons. Builders of ancient ruins that used stone blocks so tall and heavy that the technology of the day could not move them? Giants.

All of these monsters populated the myths and legends of the ancient Greeks. Some came from the birth of the world, when the gods created the Giants who eventually waged war on the Olympian deities. Others were Cyclops who preyed on men. Many monsters were condemned to the underworld. Some where ugly monsters, cursed by the gods like Medusa. Still others had unknown origins but ended up as constellations in the sky, like Orion and the Hydra.

Throughout Greek myths, recurring figures are often sinister reptilians with the face of a woman. Both themes were heavily influenced by man's perception of women as inferior and villainous, creatures who consorted with snakes to poison men's lives. 

These myths continue to be popularized in movies and books, and retain a foothold in our science-based world, providing a basis of understanding that underpins most of Western Civilization. Fans of myths and history will enjoy the way in which ancient Greeks conjured monsters to triumph over.

Books in this series include:

• Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology
• Heroes in Greek Mythology
• Monsters in Greek Mythology

Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology

 Nardo, Don. Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology. Part of the Library of Greek Mythology series. 2017. 80p. ISBN 978-1-60152-972-5. Available at 398.2 NAR on the library shelves.

For ancient people, the world was a mysterious place. Natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and storms had no rational explanation. Why were some people struck dead, while others survived? Why did famine affect an entire nation one year, only to have the following year bring a bountiful harvest? Humans crafted myths to explain what was happening around them. Inspired from Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, ancient Greeks of the bronze age told stories of gods and their battles, dalliances, and meddling in human affairs to explain the events that were taking place.

By the time Classical Greece emerged, these stories and myths permeated the whole society, from rich folks to slaves, and offered a common understanding of the world around them. Despite the growth of philosophy and science, myths continued to be told and retold, ensuring that stories that explained natural phenomena and environmental catastrophes were widely shared.

Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology shares stories of myths that centered around events and phenomena that happened in nature and that the Greeks could not explain. From the daily rotation of the Sun to the four seasons, from earthquakes to the name and appearance of animals and flowers, fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the details outlined in this book and the ways the Greeks explained what they saw around them.

Books in this series include:

• Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology
• Heroes in Greek Mythology
• Monsters in Greek Mythology

Living and Working in Ancient Rome

Randolph, Joanne, ed. Living and Working in Ancient Rome. 2018. 48p. ISBN 978-0-7660-8975-4. Available at 937 LIV on the library shelves.

For a thousand years, Rome stood at the center of one of the largest empires in the history of the world. It was both the political and spiritual capital of a territory stretching from Britain and Spain the northwest to Egypt and Mesopotamia in the southeast. As the center of imperial life, Rome strove to outshine all other cities. The lives of its famous residents are well documented, but what about the average citizen who did not own slaves and lived on a private estate?

This book presents details about how the more than one million people lived in and around Rome at the height of its imperial glory. Most Romans males worked providing services, selling things, or had jobs in factories or in construction. Women stayed at home, ran the household, educated children, and entertained guests. Roman diets consisted mainly of bread, with cheese and a little meat when affordable, but also often included olives and figs. For entertainment, Romans enjoyed gladiator combat or chariot races. Roman children played in the streets and sometimes attended school, if their parents were wealthy enough to afford it. They had toys such as wooden dolls and horses, toy swords and shields, dice, and carved stones and clay figurines.

Over the years Emperors spent tremendous resources embellishing Rome, and making life easier for its citizens. Buildings like temples and baths, and infrastructures like sewers and aqueducts were designed to improve the quality of life of the residents of Rome. These buildings are also explored in this book.

Fans of history will appreciate the research and details included in this book, and will appreciate that though almost 2,000 years separate us, the ancient Romans led a similar life to ours today.

Living and Working in Ancient Greece

Randolph, Joanne. Living and Working in Ancient Greece. Part of the Back in Time series. 2018. 48p. ISBN 978-0-7660-8971-6. Available at 938 LIV on the library shelves.

Despite all of our technology and advanced materials, the lives of ancient Greeks was remarkably similar to ours today. They actively participated in politics, attended sporting events, and went to entertainment venues to enjoy the latest plays and musical acts. Growing up in Ancient Greece, children would play cooperative and competitive games as well as with toys. They helped with household chores and received some education, more for boys than for girls. Home life was centered on the family, with dwellings featurings an indoor courtyard and rooms with different functions.

Life could also be hard in Ancient Greece. Slavery was accepted, and the area was controlled by multiple city-states whose power didn’t reach much beyond their borders. Only freeborn males could become citizens and participate in the political life of their city. Women’s roles were limited to their house.

Many famous Greek philosophers influenced Western thought and Western society, from Plato to Aristotle. Greek science remained cutting edge until it was forgotten in the Middle Ages, but spurred on a renaissance in Europe when this information once again became available, this time through Islam and Arabic preservation of ancient knowledge.

Readers interested in the impact had on our world today will appreciate the research and the descriptions that went into making this book a vivid reminder of the past.

Constantine

Baum, Margaux and Julian Morgan. Constantine. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2017. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7252-9. Available at B CON on the library shelves.

A century of civil strife in Rome had led to the Empire’s weakening. The separation of the Roman Empire in two sections, each ruled by an Augustus and a Caesar, caused further destabilization. When Constantine finally ascended the throne after putting down challenges from several other contenders to the title of Emperor, he reunited the Roman world under the leadership of one man. A military genius, Constantine set out to reform the Empire by reorganizing its military and its civilian structures. Keen to avoid further bloodshed, Constantine created a plan to ensure an orderly succession when the time came.

Attracted to Christianity, either through belief or through seeing the advantages that membership in the Church would bring, Constantine actively supported Christians and advocated for their protection from persecution. He believed that the structures of the Church could be used to administer large parts of the Roman Empire, and he promoted the Christian faith, making it the Empire’s own.

Constantine had no real love for the city of Rome, and only visited it for the first time after becoming Emperor. With settled and generally peaceful western borders, Constantine decided to create a new capital closer to the Empire’s eastern borders. He settled on the straits of Bosphorus, and called the new city Constantinople (today’s Istanbul).

Despite his efforts, or perhaps because of them, Constantine’s reign led to further division of the Empire and eventually the fall of Rome in 476 C.E, but it can be argued that he saved the Eastern half of the Empire, which continued for another thousand years.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine

Hadrian, Emperor of Rome

Santillian, Beatriz and Julian Morgan. Hadrian, Emperor of Rome. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2018. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7484-4. Available at B HAD on the library shelves.

Following a string of bad Roman Emperors, Rome and its citizens were relieved when Trajan took over and brought a period of stability. When Hadrian succeeded Trajan in suspect circumstances, having been declared his adopted son and heir a day before Trajan’s death was announced, many Romans feared that the Empire would fall in civil war. These fears proved unfounded as Hadrian, a skilled soldier and politician, was able to quickly seize power and assert his imperial authority.

Over the next twenty years, Hadrian became the most traveled Roman Emperor. He visited nearly every province, reformed the military, and sponsored large public works in many cities. Several rebellions broke out throughout the Empire, but his generals were able to put them down. An educated man, Hadrian enjoyed his time in Greece, and mastered many subjects. His legacy include buildings in nearly every major city of the Empire, a protective wall separating Roman Britain from Scotland, and a reinvigorated military.

Fans of Rome and of historical figures larger than life will enjoy reading about Hadrian’s travels and accomplishments.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine

Nero

Lowery, Zoe and Julian Morgan. Nero. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2017. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7256-7. Available at B NER on the library shelves.

Famously known for his evil ways and for fiddling while Rome burned, Nero is a complex character that earned a reputation for wanton violence. However, all that we know of him was written by critics following his death, so there are several questions as to the legitimacy of these claims of villainy against him. There are no questions, however, that his reign as emperor of Rome was plagued with deaths and that the economy suffered as a result.

A descendant of Julius Caesar, Nero was to be the last emperor to be related to Caesar and Augustus. His mother, Agrippina, was a schemer who worked tirelessly so that her son would inherit the throne. When this was finally secured following the death of Claudius, she helped Nero govern. He eventually tired of her, however, and had her poisoned. One of the few restraining hands on his propensity for violence, her removal effectively allowed Nero to do whatever he wanted.

Unlike most Romans, Nero was fascinated by sports and by the arts. He played instruments and engaged in acting, two activities that were considered by upper-class Romans to be undignified. Nero spent time in Greece indulging in these passions, while Rome drifted. He rebuilt Rome following a fire that destroyed most of the city, but he also took several prime properties to build himself a large palace. He persecuted Christians, not for their religious beliefs but for the political expediency of having a group he could scapegoat.

His return to Rome heralded yet more deaths as his critics were either killed off, exiled, or forced to commit suicide. The execution of popular generals led to an open revolt from the army, which marched on Rome. Nero’s lack of military experience, his desire for self-aggrandizing, and his lack of respect for Roman dignity and customs meant that he had no allies when assassins finally came for him. A complicated figure, Nero remains one of the most controversial Roman emperors.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine

Augustus

Baum, Margaux and Fiona Forsyth. Augustus. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2017. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7242-0. Available at B AUG on the library shelves.

The assassination of Julius Caesar caused a major upheaval in Rome. Two sides quickly coalesced. Caesar’s assassins believed they were doing the will of the Senate, but a triumvirate soon emerged to challenge them in the name of the people of Rome. Mark Anthony, one of Caesar’s generals made a deal with Octavian, Caesar’s great nephew and appointed heir, along with Lepidus. The three of them crushed the assassins’ faction and divided the Roman world among themselves.

Octavian had limited military experience, but was politically savvy and carried the people’s devotion for Caesar. Over the next decade, Octavian would skillfully maneuver himself into the position of first citizen of Rome, effectively achieving what Caesar had not. Through yet another civil war, this time against Mark Anthony, Octavian emerged victorious and in sole command of Rome’s sprawling lands.

Over the next decades, Octavian, who was renamed Augustus by the Senate, implemented a host of reforms to increase the bureaucracy’s efficiency, improve Rome’s military posture, and rebuilt the city of Rome through a massive public works program. He also influenced the morals of Roman society by leading an austere lifestyle. His contributions to Rome set up the pattern for the next three hundred years. As the first Emperor, Augustus remains one of the most famous persons of Antiquity.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine

Cleopatra

Lowery, Zoe and Julian Morgan. Cleopatra. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2017. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5981-7254-3. Available at B CLE on the library shelves.

Cleopatra is one of the most well-known figure of Antiquity. The last queen and last Pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra was a contemporary of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Augustus, and more than anything else tried to preserve Egypt’s independence in an era where Roman power was spreading throughout the Mediterranean.

Egypt at the time was considered the breadbasket of the world, and produced important surpluses. These were sold throughout the Mediterranean, generating large wealth for the Egyptian rulers. Since Alexander the Great’s conquest, Egypt had been ruled by the Ptolemy dynasty, who descended from one of Alexander’s generals. These Greek rulers did not mix in with the local Egyptian population.

When Cleopatra was born, the country was being squeezed on all sides by Rome’s expansion. Accepting to become a vassal state of the Roman Republic, Cleopatra’s father paid 6,000 talents to the first triumvirate, made up of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey, around 60 BCE. This bought peace between the two states, but when civil war erupted between Pompey and Caesar following the death of Crassus and Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon with his legions, Egypt found itself on the wrong side. By this time Cleopatra had ascended the throne, succeeding her father.

A triumphant Caesar entered Alexandria and was smitten by the Egyptian queen. Their torrid love affair became a scandal in Rome and eventually contributed to Caesar’s downfall. A second triumvirate, made up of Octavian, Caesar’s heir, Mark Anthony, and Lepidus, emerged following the defeat of Caesar’s assassins, and Egypt once again found itself in the middle of a conflict between Roman factions. Unfortunately for Cleopatra, Egypt chose the wrong side, and Octavian’s army forced Cleopatra and Mark Anthony back to Egypt, where they both committed suicide.

Always seeking to protect Egypt from the world, Cleopatra ultimately failed but continues to be remembered for her dedication and powerful personality. Fans of Roman history and of strong women will love reading about the life of the last Pharaoh.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine

Turtle Island

Yellowhorn, Eldon & Kathy Lowinger. Turtle Island. 2017. 116p. ISBN 9781554519446. Available at

For most Western folks, the history of the Americas begin in 1492, when Christopher Columbus “discovers” a new continent on his way to India. Despite the absence of written records, there is plenty of archeological evidence and storytellings that describe what the Native peoples did and how they lived before the arrival of Europeans. Turtle Island chronicles this history starting at the last Ice Age, based on this evidence, and by records left by the generations that followed. Moments in time are imagined based on what is now known, and a series of topics are explored, such as the animals that shaped the Native peoples’ environment, the art they left behind, and how they successfully adapted to their surrounding to thrive in often hostile environment.

Beautifully illustrated and with an emphasis on the Native peoples’ storytellings of their own creation and myths, Turtle Island provides a voice and a perspective on Native people that is currently missing from today’s historical discourse about the first inhabitants of the Americas. Fans of history will appreciate the thoroughness displayed by the authors in discussing those who were here first, and, though tragic, their history represents the hope that the future will bring to Native peoples.

Julius Caesar

Baum, Margaux and James Thorne. Julius Caesar. Part of the Leaders of the Ancient World series. 2017. 112p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7248-2. Available at B CAE on the library shelves.

No ancient Roman is more well-known than Julius Caesar. Military strategist extraordinaire, a man of letters and a master politician, Julius Caesar remains a controversial figure. Coming from two ancient Roman families, Caesar felt destined for greatness and pursued the experiences necessary to climb the ranks of the Roman Republic. Captured by pirates, he scoffed at their ransom request and demanded they ask for more. His various appointments enabled him to build a base of support among Rome’s populace, while his successful military campaigns in Gaul and elsewhere endeared him to his troops.

Leading several legions, Caesar marched on Rome and fought Pompey’s troops in yet another Roman civil war. Chasing his foe around the Mediterranean, he arrived in Egypt and met Cleopatra. Returning to Rome in triumph following his victories over his enemies, Caesar reformed the calendar, declares himself dictator, and began the transformation of Rome from a Republic to an Empire. However, Rome remained bitterly divided, and Caesar’s many enemies conspired together to assassinate him in the Senate.

This book illustrates Caesar’s amazing life and his oversized ambitions. Fans of Rome and of history will enjoy reading about one of the most famous historical person.

Titles in the Leaders of the Ancient World include:

• Julius Caesar
• Cleopatra

• Augustus

• Cicero

• Nero

• Hadrian

• Constantine