In this interesting and highly informative book" "we are presented with an impressive view of the great movements in time of cultures and civilizations as they flowered and died. Among the many discussed in this book are the Sumerian, Babylonian, Mycenaean, Hittite, Assyrian, the always fascinating Etruscan, and the Inca, Aztec, and Maya of the Americas. Defining civilization as the city-state inhabited by specialistspoliticians, priests, craftsmen, laborers necessary in a society learning to cope with the complexities of urban life, Mr. Riley has made use of the most recent results of...