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Babylon

Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization

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Babylon

By: Paul Kriwaczek
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Civilization was born 8,000 years ago, between the floodplains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when migrants from the surrounding mountains and deserts began to create increasingly sophisticated urban societies. In the cities that they built, half of human history took place.

In Babylon, Paul Kriwaczek tells the story of Mesopotamia from the earliest settlements seven thousand years ago to the eclipse of Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Bringing the people of this land to life in vibrant detail, the author chronicles the rise and fall of power during this period and explores the political and social systems, as well as the technical and cultural innovations, which made this land extraordinary. At the heart of this book is the story of Babylon, which rose to prominence under the Amorite king Hammurabi from about 1800 BCE. Even as Babylon's fortunes waxed and waned, it never lost its allure as the ancient world's greatest city.

Engaging and compelling, Babylon reveals the splendor of the ancient world that laid the foundation for civilization itself.

©2010 Paul Kriwaczek (P)2019 Tantor
Ancient Civilization Middle East World Mesopotamia Ancient History Thought-Provoking Africa Royalty Ancient Greece Middle Ages Iran
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Derek Perkins narrates this brilliantly
The author has given just the right amount of information about this fascinating area of the world and its people, we owe so much to them .

Great book

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I loved learning about a subject I had very little knowledge of. If you have even a small interest in ancient history you'll enjoy this.

Fascinating Listen

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This is one of the best histories I have listen to (and I've listened to a lot). Despite the name, it covers all of the major Mesopotamian cities, from the earliest settlements to the final conquest by the Persians. It's well written and narrated, providing plenty of detail without being dull or dry. Thoroughly recommended if you have any interest in ancient history or the middle east.

Not just Babylon

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very good factual account of the city and area. not the best, but worth every penny.

good listen

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engaging and well researched over view. The author attempts to draw parallels with modern times that are not always appropriate, however it did not affect my enjoyment of the book.

engaging over view

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