Lost Civilizations: The Mangnificent Mayans Remnants of Glory and Genius

Whitman, John

ISBN 10: 1570425140 ISBN 13: 9781570425141

Publisher: Hachette Audio, 1998

Synopsis

Explores the ancient civilization, including its architecture, detailed sculpture, and a complex and highly developed society.

About this title

From AudioFile:

This audio documentary which sounds like the audio tracks from a TV show--is designed for a popular audience and in ts brevity, can do little more than touch upon major points. Part of the Time Life Lost Civilizations series, the presentation does a serviceable job of telling us why we should care about its subject, but one misses the lavish illustrations typical of Time Life books. Furthermore, some of the readers are a bit maladroit. Perhaps the publishers should have given the ancient Mayas their own personality, rather than stamped out this assembly-line product in the house style. Y.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Library Journal:

This polished, professional program offers generally excellent dialog with a variety of voices and occasional, interesting background sound effects. Tracing the history of a mysterious, brilliant, and often bloodthirsty people, it covers various archaeological discoveries, written and oral histories, and sorts truth from bizarre tabloid-type rumor (i.e., they did not have electrical telegraph systems). Of particular interest are the patterns and directions that led to the demise of the Maya and loss of their greatness, which tends to mimic the trends of overpopulation, destruction of farm land for housing, and power quests, all of which are evident in the world today. Arrival of the Spanish explorers only sealed their fate. A few voices seem artificially accented, but most give a feel of being with the explorers at the site, sharing the experience of the speaker. The grim descriptions of torture, sacrifice, and cruel sport make this inappropriate for the squeamish and children. Well made and readily understandable though not always easy to follow, this will interest Early American history buffs. Recommended for ancient history collections.?Carolyn Alexander, Brigadoon Lib., Salinas, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hachette Audio
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1570425140
• ISBN 13: 9781570425141
• Binding: Audio Cassette