Minoans

I have long been fascinated with the discovery of the Minoans and their culture and way of life. This books is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn more about this historical topic. The author, Rodney Castledon, is incredibly knowledgible on the subject, yet presents his book in a manner that is friendly to read by professional archaeologists and laymen observers of history, alike. Much is presented that disuades Arthur Evans original view of the Minoan's as a peace loving and flower-power culture. This is based largely on discoveries made since Evan's time, which show without a doubt, a darker side to the Minoan's and their bronze-age way of life. Although incredible care is still given to preserve the fact that they were an immensely sophisticated, articulate, and advanced civilization. The book addresses everything from town life to city affairs, agriculture, the arts, religious rites, and many other facets of Minoan existence, as witnessed by solid scientific and archaeological evidence. The books is also richly illustrated with both plates and figures throughout each chapter, and an intensive figures reference section at the end. All in all I enjoyed reading this book a great deal and can't wait to recomend and loan it to friends with interests in the same subject. I also plan on further reading by the same author, who has another book specifically about the labyrinth at Knossos, to which this book is actually a follow-up. Highly recomended.

The first publication of this type, known to me, which so multifaciously represents the culture of Minoan Crete. The only disadvantage is the lack of references to the myths associated with Crete

I am almost finished reading this interesting overview of an early civilization. The book is straightforward, perhaps a little dry, but nonetheless very informative. It covers all phases of the culture, and presents the Minoan Civilization in a a very positive light. I was looking for an insight into what a very early community would look like and this satisfies my curiosity. As a matter of fact, they sound more civilized than what exists in much of the world today.

A look at a very interesting culture.

Excellent for research. Used it extensively for my research.

This is a generally well-written book presenting the author's slightly idiosyncratic synthesis of pre-1990s archaeological work on the Minoans. The author certainly did his homework, but even at its time of publication, some parts were shaky and the reasoning is often a bit questionable. In the three decades since it was published, archaeologists have learned a lot more about Minoan Crete and parts of the book have aged poorly. In sum, this isn't a bad book. It's pleasant to read and does give a sense of the Minoans. However, as an overview for general readers it falls far short of Vance Watrous's book, and for something more scholarly I would recommend the edited volumes by Eric Cline (OUP) or Cynthia Shelmerdine (CUP).

Excellent condition of product

a good book on this subject. Heavy on details, light on narrative

Although an older publication, is probably the 'go to' book on the Minoans. I would have been willing to pay more for this publication if colour photo illustrations had been used rather than the author's quaint black and white sketches.

Castledens "Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete", ist, obwohl auf dem Stand der frühen Neunziger, von ungebrochener Aktualität. Das Buch beschreibt auf archäologischer Basis und unter Seitenblicken auf die mykenische Gesellschaft der Linear B-Tafeln die Lebensweisen, die Berufsgruppen, das militärisch-politische System, die landwirtschaftlich-kulinarischen Gewohnheiten und die religiösen Vorstellungen der bronzezeitlich-minoischen Kultur Kretas und einiger Stützpunkte in der Ägäis in fesselder Weise unter Nutzung von eloquentem Englisch. Es enthält eine Schlüssige Kapitelgliederung und eine große Anzahl schwarzweißer Abbildungen, die dem Verständnis sehr zuträglich sind. Positiv hervorzuheben ist auch, das Castleden es wagt, die über 100 Jahre alten Theorien von Evans, dem Entdecker der minoischen Kultur, kritisch zu hinterfragen und die freizügigen,unkriegerischen Minoer unter ihrem König Minos, wie Evans sie sah, ins Reich der archäologischen Legende zu verweisen. Castleden gelingt es in "Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete" ein fesselndes Panorama der bronzezeitlichen Gesellschaft zu entwickeln, eben so lebendig wie in Donadonis Der Mensch des Alten Ägypten. , Schachners Hattuscha. Die Hauptstadt der Hethiter: Auf der Suche nach dem sagenhaften Großreich der Hethiter oder Bryces Life and Society in the Hittite World . Allen, die vor englischsprachigen Geschichtsbüchern nicht zurückschrecken, und all jenen, die ein detaillierteres Bild der minoischen Kultur suchen, kann dieses Buch nur wärmstens empfohlen werden.

This is one of the best guides to an ancient culture that I have read. I significantly enhanced our understanding of the culture but also stimulated a greet deal of discussion amongst us. We were enthused to find out more about early Cretan culture, lifestyle, social structure, religion and art. Excellent.

I used the book to expand my knowledge on the Minoans. From the evidence side it’s good, but from the historic it needs expansion.

A little dry, and with this type of history there is always a lot of "it may be assumed" and "so and so thinks" and a shame no colour plates, but a good history neverthless