A thorough and intelligent survey of the field of archaeology, lavishly illustrated with photographs, maps, and drawings, and containing both the quality and quantity of information one would expect from an introductory college course. Beginning with a comprehensive introduction to the techniques, methods, and specialties of archaeologists, Moloney surveys the archaeological and investigative work done on over a dozen sites throughout history, and includes chapters on specialties such as underwater archaeology and ethnoarchaeology. Like other volumes in the series, the text is lengthy and dense; it's not a book for slackers, but for those whose interest is strong enough to demand the most and the best in information. Despite the lack of a bibliography or reading list, this is a fine reference for reports on particular excavations or on archaeology in general. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)
Pub Date: Feb. 5, 1998
ISBN: 0-19-521248-7
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1997
These tales of women pirates show that the ``gentle sex'' could be dastardly, too. In a somewhat dry tone, Weatherly recounts what's known about these feminine scourges of the sea, most of whom dressed as men to carry out their dirty deeds. Included are Alfhild, the fierce Viking warrior, who plundered the Danish coast, and Grace O'Malley, a pirate who met and was pardoned by Queen Elizabeth I. Mary Read and Anne Bonny met each other while both were posing as men, and both just missed the noose because of pregnancy. Even as late as the early 1800s the China seas were plagued by Cheng I Sao, who married into a family of pirates and became one herself. The lackluster text and staid black-and-white reproductions temper an inherently exciting topic. Margarette Lincoln's The Pirate's Handbook (1995) has only tidbits about a few of these women pirates, but delivers that information in a colorful, pleasing format. (maps, bibliography, index) (Biography. 11-13)
Pub Date: Jan. 26, 1998
ISBN: 1-883846-24-2
Page Count: 112
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1997
This latest entry in the Library of American Indian History series chronicles the life of the courageous Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, a gifted, charismatic, and ``brilliant, spellbinding orator'' who attempted to unite the Native Americans into an intertribal confederacy and an independent nation against newcomers. Stefoff (Finding the Lost Cities, 1997, etc.) recounts with sympathy and empathy, how Tecumseh ``was determined to keep white settlers out of the Indian lands north of the Ohio River.'' Tecumseh's impressive, historic encounter with William Henry Harrison, the governor of the Indiana Territory, showed that he was not someone to be easily manipulated as were other native people who sold lands they did not own for trinkets and alcohol. One of the lessons of this compassionate biography is that essential differences regarding land-owning made it impossible for Native Americans and non-natives to understand one another. Tecumseh attempted ``to establish a principle that the lands should be considered common property and none sold without the consent of all.'' Despite Tecumseh's brilliant communication and negotiation skills, he was unsuccessful ultimately as a warrior and a leader and was mortally wounded during the Battle of the Thames in 1813. In Stefoff's work, his legend of integrity and courage, as well has his ``remarkable brilliance, dignity, and honor,'' lives on. (b&w photographs, maps, index, not seen, chronology, further reading, notes) (Biography. 11-13)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-8160-3648-9
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Facts On File
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1998
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