Review
Written in the style of modern day travel guides such as the Fodor's Guides or the Lonely Planet series, these children's guides to the past are a wonderfully original way of showing life as it was. The subtitle to the London guide is a bit misleading as it only talks about the Globe Theatre, but apart from that minor quibble it is a fascinating and fun slice of history. The time-travelling tourist is told what to wear, where to go, what to eat and how much things will cost. There are handy hints, 'must-see' sections and a quiz at the end of the book to test how attentively you have read it. There is also a pull-out map to add visual context to the information. It's handsomely produced, with thick, glossy pages and great artwork, making it both a good present and a reference book for the home. The Ancient Rome guide follows a similar format, though it includes more background information about the different cultural aspects. Skimming through bloodthirsty sports - the gladiators in the Colosseum, the chariot races in the Circus Maximus - it also covers food, housing , clothes, work and religion - all in equal measure in an easy, chatty style. This Guide feels lightweight compared with the London one simply because of the enormous subject it tries to gloss into one small book. But if it leaves the appetite whetted for more then it's succeeded. Others in the series include: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Paris 1789 and California Gold Rush. With fold-out map. (For ages 5-11) (Kirkus UK)
Product Description
This travel guide attempts to cover centuries of history in a few pages. As well as general information on particular aspects of society, it contains useful tips for the traveller, providing details of that historical time. This book explores the sights and sounds of ancient Rome.
