Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture

Rating:
Summary: Rare comprehensive and readable history of Ancient Near East
Review: This has been the textbook in my "History of the Ancient Near East" course and I find it to be remarkably effective in keeping a broad perspective and good continuity over time and space in the several topics it covers. Stiebings is a very good scholar with respect to both his factual content and presentation of conflicting theories. My professor pointed out a few flaws, though nothing too significant, except when Stiebing's used and misconstrued his very work (primarily on the Indo-European migration and The Sea Peoples). It would have also been nice to have seen more diagrammed maps given the density of the text at times.

There is just so much misinformation in this field of study and little effort to tie together "The Near East" into a single narrative history - a need which Stiebing's book fills marvelously. This one will stay on my bookshelf and be a reference for years to come.