ANCIENT ROME

The ""Eyewitness Books"" series provides another excellent glossy catalogue of entertaining information, this time about a civilization of antiquity. Family life, household effects, cosmetics, sports, the baths and plumbing innovation, children's dress and games--all these and more are on display in now-familiar uncluttered, eye-filling spreads. From the brief introductory paragraphs and small notes that accompany photos of artifacts and infrequent illustrations, readers are regaled with both general knowledge of Rome and specific images and insights of that culture. Either read chronologically or browsed through, each page offers up a sterling visual feast seemingly guaranteed to spur discussion and provoke thinking about the early Romans and their ways. Index.