und Sand begrub ihre Städte.

by Aubrey Menen

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: History

Perfect Paperback

Published January 1, 1990

About the author

Salvator Aubrey Clarence Menen was born in 1912 in London, of Irish and Indian parents. After attending University College, London he worked as a drama critic and a stage director. When World War II broke out, he was in India, where he organized pro-Allied radio broadcasts and edited film scripts for the Indian government. After the war ended, he returned to London to work with an advertising agency's film department, but the success of his first novel, The Prevalence of Witches (1947), induced him to take up writing full-time. Aubrey Menen’s writings, often satirical, explore the nature of nationalism and the cultural contrast between his own Irish–Indian ancestry and his traditional British upbringing. Apart from his novels and non-fiction works Menen wrote two autobiographies titled Dead Man in the Silver Market (1953) and The Space within the Heart (1970). He died in 1989 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Reviews

[Jeff Lanter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this book recently at Half-Price Books in amazing condition. A book from the 1970's with almost no yellowing. That has to be rare indeed. I've always been interested in the provincial side of Roman history too. They have left behind a great deal of coins and an interesting culture to read and analyze. In theory that is what this book is about but it is not one I can recommend.

There are a couple of problems with it. One is that the author freely inserts their opinion whenever they feel like and his opinions about Vietnam and other unrelated topics feel out of place in this book. Second, this book is not well-researched the author seemingly is just retelling ancient sources for the history sections which take up about a third of the book. Third, there are large sections that are out of date which is no fault of the author's but it does dampen the book's usefulness to a modern reader. One thing in the book's defense is that there are lots of nice pictures even for the book's age and I couldn't help but feel like I must visit the Roman ruins in Libya one day whenever it is safe to do so. Outside of that, there are few redeeming qualities here other than the fact that this is a short read. Instead, go read ancient sources on Roman history like Cassius Dio to get what is in this book and I'm sure you can find tons of great internet articles about the Roman ruins in Libya, Algeria, and Palmyra with some Google'ing.

[Telyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author provides some excellent material on the Phoenicians, including many impressive photographs of the city of Palmyra, but also a lot of barbed and spiteful, for lack of a better word, commentary about the Roman emperors, the everyone else in the ancient world who has the misfortune not to be phoenician. Most of it may be true, but the glee with which the author blasts and bashes suggests TMZ or the National Enquirer, rather than a balanced historical perspective. In fact, it felt like they had somehow insulted him personally and this was his way to get even. It didn't help that the author appears to have had a chip on his shoulder about the size of Trajan's column. Definitely a mixed bag.

[Emma Hoggard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like a friend discussing interesting historical stories with you on a cozy night in.
I loved being swept away to distant sand-covered places.

[Nick Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good story or gossip this arch history since classical Rome is for you! Revealing such facts as why a new Roman Emperor entered Rome backwards, and the first transvestite emperor! If you are concerned that it is just another mythical narrative, the author quotes from classical sources such as Martial and Dio Cassius grounding this history.

Cities in the Sand considers neglected ruins like Palmyra, and neglected history e.g. the Phoenicians. Taking a level-headed they were much like us approach to ancient peoples is refreshing. The author insightfully criticises the Western tradition of hero-obsessed history. When the evidence warrants it, the author doesn't shy from reporting repugnant facts about early civilisations.

Looking at this heavy hardback volume I was a little daunted "will this be fascinating but take forever to read?" but Aubrey Menen has produced a very readable work which requires no special knowledge of history - you can read it in a day or two. But take time to enjoy the photographs of ruined cities and temples.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite history travelogues because it details the North Africa and parts of the Middle East instead of focusing on just Rome and Greece the way most books do. It's packed with black and white photos (mainly of ruins) and a highly engaging, wittily written text.

Absolutely recommended as a companion book to Linsey Davis' bestselling mystery novel Last Act in Palmyra. Plus, of interest to anyone who is following the dangers various wars and rebellions pose to the remaining historic sites in this part of the world.