(3) 4-6 Life in the Roman Empire series. These well-researched volumes include frequent art reproductions, quotations from Roman poets and historians, and boxed insets to highlight interesting aspects of the material. The author avoids gimmicks and refuses to over-emphasize sensational elements of Roman history, such as gladiators. The two more narrowly focused volumes, City and Patricians, are the strongest. Reading list, source notes, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Roman Empire titles: The City, The Countryside, and The Patricians.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Life in the Roman Empire series. These well-researched volumes include frequent art reproductions, quotations from Roman poets and historians, and boxed insets to highlight interesting aspects of the material. The author avoids gimmicks and refuses to over-emphasize sensational elements of Roman history, such as gladiators. The two more narrowly focused volumes, City and Patricians, are the strongest. Reading list, source notes, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Roman Empire titles: The City, The Countryside, and The Patricians.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Life in the Roman Empire series. These well-researched volumes include frequent art reproductions, quotations from Roman poets and historians, and boxed insets to highlight interesting aspects of the material. The author avoids gimmicks and refuses to over-emphasize sensational elements of Roman history, such as gladiators. The two more narrowly focused volumes, City and Patricians, are the strongest. Reading list, source notes, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Roman Empire titles: The City, The Countryside, and The Patricians.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Life in the Roman Empire series. Hinds's balanced book provides well-researched explanations of the ways Roman religious beliefs infused the lives of men and women, marked places and days, and sustained civic and family structure. She also emphasizes the rich variety of practices throughout the Empire and admits that much is unknown or can only be generalized. Frequent art reproductions add interest. Reading list, sources, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Life in the Renaissance series. Well-written and informative, if a bit dry, these four small books include high-quality art reproductions. Unlike most histories, these volumes are organized by topic rather than by country or by chronology. Countryside and City stand out in their discussion of the ordinary life experiences of men, women, and children of all classes. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Renaissance titles: The Church, The City, The Countryside, and The Court.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Life in the Renaissance series. Well-written and informative, if a bit dry, these four small books include high-quality art reproductions. Unlike most histories, these volumes are organized by topic rather than by country or by chronology. Countryside and City stand out in their discussion of the ordinary life experiences of men, women, and children of all classes. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Renaissance titles: The Church, The City, The Countryside, and The Court.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Life in the Renaissance series. Well-written and informative, if a bit dry, these four small books include high-quality art reproductions. Unlike most histories, these volumes are organized by topic rather than by country or by chronology. Countryside and City stand out in their discussion of the ordinary life experiences of men, women, and children of all classes. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Renaissance titles: The Church, The City, The Countryside, and The Court.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Life in the Renaissance series. Well-written and informative, if a bit dry, these four small books include high-quality art reproductions. Unlike most histories, these volumes are organized by topic rather than by country or by chronology. Countryside and City stand out in their discussion of the ordinary life experiences of men, women, and children of all classes. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Life in the Renaissance titles: The Church, The City, The Countryside, and The Court.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the Past series. Offering balanced, thoughtfully interpreted material, this book effectively introduces the republic of Venice. The five divisions--history, cultural history, belief system, beliefs and society, and legacy--allow the author considerable scope. Reinforcing the text are illustrations (generally period art), a map, a time line, and brief samples of literature. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the Past series. Offering balanced, thoughtfully interpreted material, the books in this series effectively introduce their subjects. The five divisions--history, cultural history, belief system, beliefs and society, and legacy--allow the authors considerable scope. Reinforcing the text are a number of extensions, including illustrations, color photos of artifacts, a map, time line, and brief samples of literature. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Cultures of the Past titles: Medieval England and The Phoenicians.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Life in the Middle Ages series. Generously illustrated with archival artwork (and a few photographs), this series provides a relatively comprehensive look at the lives of men, women, and children in the Middle Ages. While the text itself is somewhat dry, additions such as songs, games, recipes, and literature excerpts make these books an enlightening if not entirely compelling read. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jane Lopez-Santillana

(4) 4-6 Life in the Middle Ages series. Generously illustrated with archival artwork (and a few photographs), this series provides a relatively comprehensive look at the lives of men, women, and children in the Middle Ages. While the text itself is somewhat dry, additions such as songs, games, recipes, and literature excerpts make these books an enlightening if not entirely compelling read. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jane Lopez-Santillana

(4) 4-6 Life in the Middle Ages series. Generously illustrated with archival artwork (and a few photographs), this series provides a relatively comprehensive look at the lives of men, women, and children in the Middle Ages. While the text itself is somewhat dry, additions such as songs, games, recipes, and literature excerpts make these books an enlightening if not entirely compelling read. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jane Lopez-Santillana

(4) 4-6 Life in the Middle Ages series. Generously illustrated with archival artwork (and a few photographs), this series provides a relatively comprehensive look at the lives of men, women, and children in the Middle Ages. While the text itself is somewhat dry, additions such as songs, games, recipes, and literature excerpts make these books an enlightening if not entirely compelling read. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jane Lopez-Santillana

(3) 4-6 Perfect Pets series. These books provide basic historical, mythological, and practical information on the different breeds and species. Clear color photos and informative captions combine with straightforward texts to successfully engage and advise prospective pet owners. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Perfect Pets series. Each title includes information about different breeds or varieties, pet care, and some of the history and mythology surrounding the animal. Some of the attractive, clear color photos are more informative than others. The lack of a table of contents or index may make it hard to find specific information, but overall the books provide useful, basic facts for potential pet owners. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Perfect Pets series. Each title includes information about different breeds or varieties, pet care, and some of the history and mythology surrounding the animal. Some of the attractive, clear color photos are more informative than others. The lack of a table of contents or index may make it hard to find specific information, but overall the books provide useful, basic facts for potential pet owners. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth