Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

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For anyone who's ever wanted to decipher ancient inscriptions, Teach Yourself Hieroglyphics is the ultimate resource. This lively and informative guide uncovers the mysteries of Egyptian and Mayan hieroglyphics, revealing how these ancient languages work and exploring the fascinating cultures that used them. It demonstrates just how simple and fun hieroglyphics are to work with, offering readers plenty of practice in drawing their own on blank cartouches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

a good start
This is a good beginner's book for this beautiful ancient language. Most of the entire book deals with ancient Egyptian, but there are a few chapters discussing Mayan hieroglyphs as well. The Egyptian text I believe is Middle Egyptian, as it is the most common type of Egyptian I think. The basic "alphabet" is discussed, along with the confusing ideograms, logograms, phonograms, determinatives, etc. There are exercises as well, some are very short, and when you get to the last chapters, you translate somewhat of a long text. All the answers can be found in the back of the book. For Mayan, the basic "alphabet" is discussed as well. There is one whole chapter discussing mayan calenders and numbers, and it is quite interesting. Overall, this is a good book to start out with. However, there are some problems with learning the Middle Egyptian, regarding the way it's read. At some parts, I found it difficult to translate the Egyptian into English because of the way the hieroglyphs were placed. Also, the section for Mayan in the book was too small. The author should have expanded more, because Mayan is just as interesting as any ancient Egyptian language. After reading this book, I would read the book by Mark Collier which goes in more detail for Middle Egyptian. Plus, alot of the exercises from this book seem to come from Collier's book.

Somewhat disappointing but not an unmitigated disaster
First, let me say that I am not an Egyptologist (as one of the reviewers below). I bought the book as I have an interest in ancient history and also languages. I gave this book a 3+. It doesn't really cover the ancient Egyptian language very well, and I wish that the author had dispensed with the Mayan and concentrated more on the Egyptian language.

However, I do take issue with the first reviewer below who claims: "The author has not realized that Egyptian hieroglyphs can be read from left to right OR from right to left, depending on which way the signs face. Therefore he has transliterated all his examples backwards."

On page 12 one reads: "Hieroglyphics were generally written from right to left-just as modern Arabic-unless there was a particular reason to write them from left to right. ... In this book hieroglyphs are written from right to left, because most inscriptions the reader will want to decipher are written this way. When looking at an inscription, it is easy to tell whether to read it right to left or left to right: the figures in the inscription face the direction from which it is to be read."

Comments from readers more familiar with Egyptian hieroglyphs are solicited.

Excellent, concise but completeIntroductury Book
In the great tradition of the Teach Yourself series, this one shines. I cannot comment on the Mayan section but the Egyptian one is probably the most complete, yet simple to understand, introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphics (or Hieroglyphs). It describes the main grammatic topics, including conjugation of verbs, number, possessive pronouns etc. It also includes a chapter on the "offering formula", probably the most common contruction found on monumental inscriptions. The hieroglyphic words are written from right to left (most common way) and are, of course, transliterated correctly. A great book for it price.

Don't buy this book!
This book was written by a "trained geologist", and purports to teach the basics of ancient Egyptian and Mayan hieroglyphs. I can't comment on the Mayan section (which is very small), but the Egyptian section is woeful.

As a trained Egyptologist, I have often thought the Teach Yourself series should have a volume on Egyptian HIEROGLYPHS (NOT hieroglyphics!), so I grabbed this when I saw it.It is hopeless. The author has not realised that Egyptian hieroglyphs can be read from left to right OR from right to left, depending on which way the signs face. Therefore he has transliterated all his examples backwards.

DUH!BASIC mistake.

There are other mistakes in the book. If you want to learn to read Egyptian hieroglyphs, read Collier & Manley's How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-by-Step Guide To Teach Yourself.

Teach Yourself Books did not do themselves a favour by publishing Ron Bonewitz's book. ... Read more

Product Description
Max Muller was one of the most respected religious authorities of his time. His accomplishments include translating The Upanishads and editing a massive collection of work called The Sacred Books of the East.. Some of the most valuable and instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India, and in India only. In her classic dialect, the Sanskrit, we may read with what success ancient India conquered the elements and the world as it was then known. The study of Sanskrit, and particularly a study of the Vedic Sanskrit, is able to enlighten us and illuminate the darkest passages in the history of the human mind. This book gives the reader some idea of ancient India, of its ancient literature, and, more particularly, of its ancient religion. Muller will help you see and feel what it was like in ancient India, and the importance that it played in the history of the human race. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Prof Muller And Modern Indology
Although he was a pioneer among 19th century scholars who tried evaluating the real thought behind what is generally brushed aside as "Indian Mysticism", it is a an open question as to his legacy. A legacy which is used neither by the modern Indologist circles nor by the indian traditionalists. The book is an effort to best describe Vedic India, as Muller saw with tools and resources best known to him.

Besides throwing open the possibilities for comparative religion of the Ancient Indo-Europeans with his book, Science of Mythology, this work will be remembered for being sincerely a tribute to the ancient, but not yet lost, Bharat.

Max Muller deserves the respect of Indian Traditions & Modern Indologists. Modern Indology needs to be sympathetic not only to Bharat but the entire INdo-European Heritage as well.

It has been a pleasure for me to have gifted my only copy of this book to some people from Germany whom I came across on a journey. But this book speaks of an age long gone and a land not existing anymore. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR’d book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Macmillan in 1919 in 217 pages; Subjects: History / General; Religion / Biblical Studies / Jesus, the Gospels & Acts; Religion / Christian Theology / Christology; ... Read more

Product Description
The book may have numerous typos or missing text. It is not illustrated or indexed. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website. You can also preview the book there.Purchasers are also entitled to a trial membership in the publisher's book club where they can select from more than a million books for free.Subtitle: Is the Doctrine of Endless Punishment Taught in the Bible? or Does the Bible Teach the Doctrine of the Final Holiness and Happiness of All Mankind?Original Publisher: H. Lyon Publication date: 1855Subjects: Universalism; Future punishment; History / General; Religion / Christian Theology / General; Religion / Christian Theology / Soteriology ... Read more

Product Description
Studying historical wars through literature offers an effective, interesting way for students to understand the issues surrounding the conflicts and gain insight into the drastic changes that wars cause in the lives of individuals and nations. Useful for both teachers and librarians, "Using Literature to Teach Middle Grades About War" covers major wars that have generated a suitable variety of materials and resources that are readily available for student use - the Revolutionary War; the Civil War; World War 1; World II; the Vietnam War; and the Gulf War. The wars are categorised into individual literature units. Each unit features a selected chronology; recommended books (picture books, factual books, biographies and fiction); a sample lesson plan; suggested questions and activities; and a glossary. Covering a wide range of viewpoints, the books were selected for their readability, recent copyright dates and point of view. Appendix A contains two planning guides for teachers and librarians that help to effectively organise the units. The first provides suggested guidelines and questions to consider in advance to help effectively organise the units for classes.The second provides help in designing units for special interest groups. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Invaluable teaching tool for middle school teachers!
Reading books that depict a wide range of viewpoints gives the student a more balanced look at historical events.This book tells you exactly how make this happen in the classroom.It contains annotated bibliographies,sample lesson plans, suggested questions and activities.It covers sixwars - the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. An invaluable tool. "Don't leave home without it!" ... Read more

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An introduction to the lives of the Ancient Romans, looking at the Roman people, society and psychology. "Key sites" are explored in the landscape and the literature of the civilization, and the book looks at Roman achievements in public works, private comforts, prose, poetry and propaganda. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The book provides a historical perspective on thePalestinian history curriculum and analyses to whatextent history curriculum, during various colonialand postcolonial periods in Palestine, starting from1861 Ottoman rule till 1999, has acted as a vehiclefor promoting Palestinian national values for bothPalestinian Arab students in Israel/ 1948 Palestineand the 1967Palestinian Arabs in the West Bank. Itexamines the critical issue ofpeaceful coexistence as reflected in historycurriculum. Thebook draws on insights frompostcolonialism.It calls for a serious historycurricular reforms as a prelude for ethnicacceptance of the ?Other?, and peaceful-coexistence, where efforts of Arab- Israeli critical ethnic and cultural studies in thefield of academic history pave the way for creatinga non assimilative and non distorted academichistory. Primary textual sources and policydocuments will be examined to develop the socio- political and cultural context of the argumentpresented in the book. ... Read more

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Untangle the fascinating history of Ireland

Teach Yourself Irish History makes sound sense of the Emerald Isle's complicated history. You will learn about all the major players and events, from the wars of the ancient kings and British subjugation to the IRA's decommissioning of arms and the murders of Robert McCartney and Denis Donaldson.

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"The Middle East since 1945" is an essential guide to one of the world's most turbulent regions. Informative yet lively, it examines the origins and developments of the issues that have made the headlines over the last half-century. This new edition has been comprehensively updated to cover recent developments within the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the invasion and occupation of Iraq and the terrorist attacks in the West and elsewhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

It's succinct.It's well written. It's informative.
It's the kind of book you'd expect young M16 agents to have on their bedside table.

Quick and easy to read, Ross'the Middle East Since 1945 is detailed throughout but does not get wrapped around the axels of any one issue - just a punchy and well written page or two on the main issues and protagonists post the second war.It would read most like an intelligence briefing were it not for the colour that this author adds to the writing in an unbiased and mature fashion.5 out of 5.

A good start to your knowledge
I'm not saying that this book should be one's only basis of knowledge of the recent history of the middle east, but I did find it to be a good way to start learning about a part of the world that is very important, yet is never covered in school classes. I don't think that there is any one book out there that covers the whole history of the region and shows no bias, but I do believe that this book does a good job of laying out the history of the middle east and I know that I learned so much from reading it.

Reads like a parody
This book is useful in teaching yourself some Middle East history.You see, some folks claim that some books about the Middle East merely parrot a bunch of anti-Zionist myths and taunts.This is one of the books that proves them right.

Ross says that by 1945, Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini's reputation was "tarnished" because he moved to Germany in World War Two and entered into "negotiations" with the Nazis.Well, that surely is one way to put it!

The author continues by saying that more fervent Zionists were "irked" by Britain "limiting" further Jewish immigration to the Levant with the 1939 White Paper.That also is one way of putting it.I think that some of the more fervent Tutsis were also irked by the fact that 800,000 of them were slaughtered by Hutus.Now I know what "irked" means, I guess.

We also hear of secret meetings between Jordanian King Abdullah and Golda Meir in 1948.Of course, their meeting is totally misrepresented by the author.

What do you suppose Ross says about the assassination of Count Bernadotte?He says that the UN mediator was killed because he "seemed too pro-Arab."This ignores the question of why opposition to human rights of life, liberty, and property might be synonymous with being "pro-Arab."I also think the author ought to have had the nerve to say what Bernadotte did and let us readers judge him ourselves.

What about the six-day war?Our intrepid author blames the Jews, of course.I wonder why he praises the Arab aggressors and blames the Israeli defenders.The benefit of doing this is not clear to me.Such misrepresentations are not going to lead to peace or harmony.

Ross says that Egypt's Nasser "felt obliged" to re-occupy Sharm al-Sheikh.Now Nasser did say at the time that Egypt was ready for war.And in no uncertain terms! But the author wants to blame Israel, so he explains away Nasser's statement by saying "It was not what he meant at all."If I could misrepresent facts the way Ross does, I think I could prove anything.

Now we get to the topic of Arab terrorism.What do we get to read about one of the worst human beings of the twentieth century, Arafat?Do we read about his vicious slaughters of innocent civilians?His constant lies and taunts?Or even his misuse of funds?

What we read is that Arafat overcame his drawbacks "with an exceptional vitality that combined passion, determination, charm, and bravery."

That takes the cake.Obviously, such words, true or false, could be used to describe any thug or mass murderer.But what does it say about the writer?Only a person wholly committed to opposing human rights could dream of associating the words Arafat and charm in such a manner.


How about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which was in response to terrorist attacks from there?And which did drive Arafat's gang out of Lebanon? Ross says it is the other way around.He talks about Israel's incursions into Lebanon as if Arafat belonged there.And then he says "Arafat refused to play ball.Despite repeated incursions into Lebanon, the PLO did not retaliate."I think a reader who wants to learn about the Middle East might want to check some of the other books I have reviewed about the topic to decide if this is a good description of events.

The author does not like Jewish settlements in the West Bank.He calls them an "obvious affront" to the Arabs.And he implies that the settlements are simply a theft of Arab land.

The only problem with all this is that the land is disputed.Jews and Arabs have equal rights to it.Jews may well feel that the presence of Arabs in the West Bank is an "obvious affront."One day, some other group of people (maybe one with a truly immense army) may feel that the presence of Arabs is an obvious affront. Is the author trying to say that this will justify the ethnic cleansing of Arabs? Or is he trying to say that the Arabs are the only real people in the world, and that the Arabs are justified in stealing whatever they want whenever they want?

Ross mentions Arab riots over the opening of a door to a tunnel in the Old City of Jerusalem.The tunnel was already open near the Western Wall.This door was at the other end of the tunnel.But Ross tries to imply that this somehow threatened the al-Aqsa mosque.Hey, maybe it threatened the Kaaba and the Kremlin as well.Stories like these are not facts.They are so obviously untrue that they count as taunts.

In 2000, we read that Ariel Sharon killed the peace process by visiting the Temple Mount.This leaves unasked the question of why one more visit to Judaism's holiest site, in the middle of the capital of Israel, ought to provoke a murderous Arab riot.Oh, but that wasn't the only provocation.In addition, we are told that a 12-year old Arab boy was "shot several times by Israeli soldiers."But it is extremely unlikely that Israelis actually shot this boy.In fact, the incident may well have been entirely staged.In any case, the author owed it to us to tell us this, as well as to tell us about the saturation of the international information supply with anti-Israeli propaganda.We're also entitled to know that much of the reporting of events from Israel is indeed staged.

Obviously, I do not recommend this horrible book.
... Read more

Product Description

Teach Yourself History

Each title in the history category of Teach Yourself makes complex events accessible when you’re seeking an alternative to dry, academic texts. Incorporating gripping personal stories, our Teach Yourself History Books transform history from a record of facts and dates to a dynamic, fascinating experience.

Teach Yourself the British Empire explores how, over a period of 300 years, Great Britain expanded its influence through colonizations and conquests to become one of history’s greatest powers.