About the Author:
Brian Fagan is at University of California, Santa Barbara.
From School Library Journal:
Grade 9 Up-A collection of essays on antiquarians and archaeologists from early figures to recent notables. The book is divided into four chronological sections, each beginning with an introduction that sets the scene for the biographies that follow and ending with paragraph sketches of other archaeologists from the same period. Individual entries investigate each subject's major contributions to archaeology as a science and to knowledge of the past in general. Fagan does not hesitate to criticize the scientists' failings or to highlight their strengths. His writing style is clear and interesting, making these essays much more enjoyable reading than encyclopedia articles. Each entry also includes black-and-white photographs or reproductions, a sidebar of facts, and suggestions for further reading. The book is not without its flaws, a number of which seem to be typographical or simply carelessness. Dates and subjects' ages are misprinted (or miscalculated?) in several cases. A bit more troubling is Fagan's description of European Neanderthals as "primitive looking," surely a value judgment, and his first mention of Bishop Ussher's 6000-year time frame for human history, while later dealt with more carefully, is described simply as "the mere 6000 years assigned to all our existence in the Old Testament." Even so, this is a brisk and informative volume, useful for larger collections and public libraries.
Coop Renner, Fairmeadows Elementary, Duncanville, TX
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