Archeology (Eyewitness Books)

The Eyewitness series is the best thing to happen to reference books since the encyclopedia was invented, and this volume on archeology is no exception. Lushly illustrated with the crispest, most detailed full-color photographs imaginable, this book makes archeology look fun and interesting. Twenty-six two-page spreads cover everything from the basics ("Why Excavate?") to the mysterious ("Mounds and Monuments") to the gruesomely cool ("Human Remains"). Topics are global, from Pompeii to the American Southwest. Although ostensibly geared to 9- to 12-year-olds, reading this book is like visiting a museum of archeology, and adults will get as much out of it as kids. --Therese Littleton