I agree with the other reviews that the alphabetical layout is kind of confusing. I found this book good for quick references for dates, historical facts, etc. Some of the details are definitely glossed over. For instance, in summarizing Caesar Augustus, Davis describes him as a 'benevolent dictator' and states "Rarely has one man exercised so much positive influence on the world". In some ways this is true, but he never details the fact that Augustus was a big supporter of the Gladiator games, and worked to increase their scope and bloodletting, including the public torture and execution of prisoners and criminals. In all the chapters on the Romans, he barely notes their reliance on slavery and the brutal spectacle of the Gladiator games. LIkewise in describing Julius Caesars subjugation of the Gauls, which included the massacre of women and children at Alesia.

I also found some of the numerical chapter references missing from the maps. a minor annoyance, but one that should have been obvious to editors. Overall, I enjoy browsing through the book, but would not use it for any in depth study of history.

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