Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Ideas and Adventures 1200-1700

Author: Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss

ISBN: 9781933538730

Ideas and Adventures 1200-1700 authored by the late five-time author Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss is quite impressive as it charts five centuries of important history that include the historic and cultural contributions of less well-known nations. Many history books omit to include insights on important past civilizations, and this is what makes this book extraordinary that will no doubt appeal to the everyday reader who can now more fully appreciate these contributions to history.

Seherr-Thoss was a passionate world traveler exploring ancient ruins and cultures becoming a self-taught history expert and today many of her writings and photographs can be found in the Smithsonian Institute.

She began her worldwide travels in 1966 when she and her husband trekked 10,000 miles through several Middle East countries. Along the way she photographed hundreds of sites as well as speaking to locals who helped her accumulate a great deal of data included in the book. Seherr-Thoss died in June 2006 at the age of 87.

The book is divided into eight sections including an introduction, conclusion and endnotes. Readers have a brief glimpse into the contributions made by such countries as the Americas, France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Africa, Japan, Cambodia, Burma, India, Persia (Iran), Turkey, Switzerland, China, Southeast Asia, Timor, The Netherlands, Russia, Portugal, and Poland. In addition each section briefly discusses pertinent happenings and cultures as the Crusades, the Mongols, the Ottomans, various religions, the Reformation, and the British Colonists. Many of these sections succinctly delve into the contributions made by areas of the world that are often snubbed.

The book also includes over sixty beautiful and unique photographs in full-color from Seherr-Thoss’s private collection. A sampling of these photographs included are an Aztec workman as represented in his everyday clothes, showing respect for his labor, Chartres that is a proud symbol of French Gothic art, one of twelve churches excavated out of the tufa by King Labilela in the late twelfth century in Labilea, Ethiopia, Alhambra located in Granada, Spain, first royal residence of the Spanish monarchs, and Roayan-ji (1499) which has been described as the unsurpassed creation of abstract design located in Kyoto, Japan, and the Palace of Emperor Galawdewos (sixteenth century) in Gondar, Ethiopia.   

The detailed research and breadth of information are remarkable and what is more is that it is presented in a way that is devoid of academic prose thus making it user friendly to the reader.

The book, however, has some shortcomings, as I would have liked to have seen included a more comprehensive Table of Contents, as well as a short bibliography and index. Nevertheless, this will not prevent readers from receiving a brief taste of five centuries of important history that as the introduction states: “will bring a more balanced evaluation of the contributions made by various lands and people to human culture.”

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Ideas and Adventures 1200-1700

The above review was contributed by: The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

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