A review by read_100_books
Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek
4.0
This book is great if you are looking for a very general history of Mesopotamia. If you are looking for an in-depth look at some of history's earliest civilizations then you will have to look elsewhere.
Pros: Babylon is an easy read because it a popular history rather than an academic history. The tradeoff is the loss of hard facts/data and a less extensive bibliography but the author certainly keeps the reader engaged
Cons: The author uses too many modern comparisons that throw off his narrative and don't always make sense when looking at civilizations where there is limited data available. There were some that were poignant and helped give readers relatable context for these ancient cities but overall I felt that a lot of the comparisons were personal conjecture rather than historical fact.
Pros: Babylon is an easy read because it a popular history rather than an academic history. The tradeoff is the loss of hard facts/data and a less extensive bibliography but the author certainly keeps the reader engaged
Cons: The author uses too many modern comparisons that throw off his narrative and don't always make sense when looking at civilizations where there is limited data available. There were some that were poignant and helped give readers relatable context for these ancient cities but overall I felt that a lot of the comparisons were personal conjecture rather than historical fact.