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Early History

Ancient History

A Short History of Ancient Times by P.V.N. Myers, Fingerhut Press. The best general treatments of Ancient history are given by P.V.N. Myers in his classic textbooks. My favorite is A Short History of Ancient Times, the most pedagogically sound introdution to Ancient History available, but it is also difficult to find. He also has other texts available that may be useful. You've got to hunt for them.
- Review by Scott Powell
Wonders of the Ancient World by Sandy Ransford, David Farris. An exploration of the wonders of the ancient world, through puzzles, games, quiz questions, facts and activities for children of seven years and upwards. There are word puzzles, picture puzzles, crosswords, and logic and maths puzzles, as well as cartoons and jokes. (ages 7 to 10)
Early Progress by P.V.N. Myers. The best general treatments of Ancient history are given by P.V.N. Myers in his classic textbooks. My favorite is A Short History of Ancient Times, the most pedagogically sound introdution to Ancient History available, but it is also difficult to find. He also has other texts available that may be useful. You've got to hunt for them. (out-of-print, see sources.)
A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. 3000 - 323 BC by Marc Van De Mieroop. "I do not know of any other handbook of similar size that can compete with Van de Mieroop's book in philological competence, in historiographic method, and in expository clearness." Mario Liverani, in Orientalia

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt by Ian Shaw.
The Egyptian book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge. For reference only. Enter the world of the magical funerary rites of Egypt! E.A. Wallis Budge was one of the giants of Egyptology. A prolific writer, his works remain popular to this day. These works are not for young students, however. They may be useful for families looking for answers to particular questions.
The Gods of the Egyptians by E.A. Wallis Budge. Egyptian religion varied in place and time over millenia. E.A. Wallis Budge was one of the giants of Egyptology. A prolific writer, his works remain popular to this day. These works are not for young students, however. They may be useful for families looking for answers to particular questions.
The Complete Pyramids, Solving the Ancient Mysteries by Mark Lehner. Complete diagrams and explanation of the construction, structure, and history of all of the pyramids.

Babylonian Life and History by E.A. Wallis Budge. Important insights into a culture from our distant past that remains far less well known than Egypt. E.A. Wallis Budge was one of the giants of Egyptology. A prolific writer, his works remain popular to this day. These works are not for young students, however. They may be useful for families looking for answers to particular questions.
The Epic of Gilgamesh by Ludmila Zeman. An age-appropriate adaptation of the original narrative of the adventures of the Mesopotamian god-king Gilgamesh, with terrific illustrations that bring the story to life. (ages 7 to 13)
Mesopotamia by Philip Steele, John Farndon. Fantastic visuals. Nice supplemental narratives. Includes a CD-ROM.

Bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti

Egypt from space, showing the Nile river flowing from upper Egypt (at the bottom) through the desert of lower Egypt, to the Medditerranean Sea.