- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: McGraw-Hill Inc.,US (25 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0071357432
- ISBN-13: 978-0071357432
- Product Dimensions: 24.6 x 20.3 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
669,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #64 in Books > History > Other Historical Subjects > Paleography
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More About the Author
Product Description
Sir Patrick Moore, Astronomer
' It is a fascinating story, splendidly told....I simply could not bring myself to put it down'
Brian Fagan, Professor of Anthropology, University of California at Santa Barbara
'A masterly book. Andrew Robinson takes us on a fascinating journey... Clearly written, dispassionate and entertaining'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Written in a clear and concise style with copious illustrations and photographs, this book is a fascinating insight into some of the worlds oldest forms of writing. Covering first the work undertaken over the last 200 years to decipher previously unknown scripts such as Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Linear B, and some of the techniques employed to crack their 'codes', the text moves on to scripts still partially or totally undeciphered, such as Etruscan and Indus Valley. The book is evidently thework of an author fully in command of his material, but is presented in astyle and vocabulary accessible to the layman. Thoroughly recommended.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This review is written by someone who knows absolutely zero about this subject. I enjoyed the book overall, and thought it achieved an excellent balance between technical content and ease of presentation. The book is divided into two halves; the first reviews the decipherment of various languages such as Linear B and the Mayan code, and is fascinating, while the second half concentrates on languages that still remain to be decoded. I found the first half much more interesting than the second, and I think that is because there is more of a story to tell. With the second half, there is a sequenced display of indecipherable scripts, but you learn little other than they look like tough nuts to crack. I must admit, I gave up before finishing the second half, but the first half more than compensates.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First of all don�t be scarred by the subject of this book, wait no, the subject is scary but the way the book is written is not. It describes in detail, with lots of pictures, the way that long lost languages were found and understood again in a simple, enjoyable way. It then goes on to tell of the troubles ahead in deciphering other languages such as the fascinating ronogorongo language of Easter Island.
The book itself was a pleasure to read, easy flowing, informative and very well laid out. Infact I can�t really find a fault with the book at all and easily give it 5 stars�..
The book itself was a pleasure to read, easy flowing, informative and very well laid out. Infact I can�t really find a fault with the book at all and easily give it 5 stars�..
IMPORTANT NOTE
This book is not just for people who know the subject. I didn�t know a thing about decipherment until I read this book, purely out of interest and I don�t regret it.
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