The Sumerian Civilization: An Enthralling Overview of Sumer and the Ancient Sumerians (History of Mesopotamia)

This book is a general overview of Sumerian history. It isn't an in-depth, detailed account of the fullness of Sumerian history, but it is definitely informative enough for those who (like myself) have already studied Sumerian history and culture and just need a quick run-through book as this to refresh their memory, or for those who may just be getting started in the subject and need sturdy information to feed their curiosity. Overall, it serves a very practical purpose and is indeed useful.

This book, “The Sumerian Civilization… “ is a great review of Sumer and its accomplishments. Kramer’ s tomb is still the best, but it is getting a bit old. The Sumerian Civilization updates Kramer in some details because it is more recent. For example, the diggers in the dirt [archeologist] have determined that Uruk predates Eridu. Eridu dates as far back as 5,400 BC [7,400 years ago], so we are talking about some seriously long time periods into the past. What’s always fun is to review the Sumerian firsts. The first writing system, and the first to tick all the boxes for “civilization” according to scholars. There were 39 Sumerian firsts, and as more is learned others will probably be added. And other innovations arose in farming and irrigation that might have come first in Sumer but became so wide spread so fast that it’s hard to tell. Did anyone know the ancients in Mesopotamia [Sumer 1st?] used metal tipped plow blades? One important item to point out is this book tells us that much of what we “know” about Sumer [and other ancient civilizations] is speculation. No agreed to timeline has been developed for Mesopotamian civilizations. No one has figured out where the people of Sumer came from, or how they developed farming. Sumerians, who were very literal in other writings, said a god taught them. There were over 5,000 cuneiform tablets discovered in Niniva [sp] and most of them are still not deciphered. The Sumerian Civilization points out that much of the story of the Sumerian past is not known and has been pieced together from tiny fragments of broken pottery and incomplete documents. This kind of honesty about the past is sorely needed. AD2

I really like this book. My interest in this subject has been going on for a long time. I look to find any information on them. This book has many good information that should keep you very informed.

First off there is no publishing date, catalog number, name of publisher (Enthralling History doesn’t count) nor name of Author(s) [Enthralling History doesn’t count here either]! Then the layout of the book is illogical. Maps are present but often cities cited aren’t on the maps. But there are a large number of cities (towns? villages?) on the maps that are never mentioned. No timeline graph is ever presented to give a reader something to refer to as the author progresses through numerous conflicting wars, dynasties, gods, myths etc. Then, finally, chapter 8 arrives and we learn what sets the Sumerians apart from people before or after their civilization. But that should have been in chapter 1 after the introduction. Not 2/3 through the narrative. And the Bibliography…….three books listed followed by 32 pages of internet sites from places like Brittanica, Wikipedia, World History Encyclopedia et.al. I can’t recommend this book except for perhaps Elementary children.

This excellent history book will answer that question at the: religious, political, literary, agricultural, artistic and scientific levels as well. Simply put...they were an innovative, problem solving people living in an harsh and inhospitable environment.

I am way over my head with this topic. But, I found the authors take on this mammoth, far-reaching subject to be quite "digestible" without being simplistic. Well done!

The Sumerians were the first civilization, originating as a singular society around 4000 BCE. Being the initial group to create well-developed urban centers, attain agricultural success, implement a written language, live under a centralized government, use mature and applied technologies, hold a common ideology and shared culture. they achieved and invented many ‘Firsts’. The discovery of the Sumerian Civilization did not take place until the Nineteenth Century. It was ‘hiding’ within the information of the civilizations that followed it and who subsequently built on the Its foundations. There are still a lot of gaps in knowledge and understanding of the Sumerians’ Life and Times. Even though they left many artifacts and documents, they are incomplete. This book summarizes the details of the Sumerian City-States locations, governments, major wars and battles, religion and mythology, culture and inventions. It does a good job in providing a comprehensive overview, but would benefit from including pronunciations for many of the names and places referenced. Additionally, the length of the book is a tad misleading, as 20% of the pages are actually found in the bibliography. Still, if you are looking for a book to pique your interest in ancient civilizations, Sumer IS the place to start.

The Sumerians invented many things which we use today like the wheel, cosmetic sets, harps, hammers, axes, weapons, the plow, the sailboat, and a written language, among other things. They also created governmental patterns and institutions which are in use today. They were among the first to establish peace treaties with other nations. At first the Sumerians were a city-state people with each city-state governing its own City and the surrounding area. The first Empire was built by Sargon II and it ruled land of the Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest Sumerians developed of a form of writing called cuneiform with which they were able to write and keep records. This form of writing was adapted to all of the languages of the Sumerian people even though the languages were different. Through the clay tablets which have been found much of the history of the Sumerians that has been left to us. We know of the daily lives and the trading practices of the Sumerian people. We also know of the successions of the rulers of Samaria and the expansion of the Sumerian people. Their religion was recorded on these clay tablets and we have their creation story, the flood story and many epic poems which relate the stories of the great heroes of the Sumerians. This book has been thoroughly researched and the material has been presented in easy to read prose and is interesting for the reader. As a former history teacher I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the ancient civilizations from which we have received our culture. It is both a good review and a great starting point for studying the Sumerian people.

Although I enjoyed reading it, I can't recommend it to others. The book has no references neither to any author nor to any external resource. It felt so weird reading history with no references. Almost certain that it was written by AI. It very likely contains misinformation as well. Shouldn't be read as a resource of education.

This book is very interesting. It is unbelievable to know that you are reading about the very first civilisation, the Sumerians, who had 39 firsts including the invention of writing, irrigation and the wheel etc. You learn a lot about the different, city-states, kings, wars, gods, creation myths and a lot more etc. A valuable read. I highly recommend!

Nice book (gift for my father-in-law). Wasn't packaged very well and arrived warped and bent. Otherwise ok.

Worth the money I thought and good go to reference guide for the future

Great Read