Amazons―fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world―were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valor in duels with Amazon queens; and the Athenians reveled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times; Cyrus of Persia; Alexander the Great; and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons.But just who were these bold barbarian archers on horseback who gloried in fighting; hunting; and sexual freedom? Were Amazons real? In this deeply researched; wide-ranging; and lavishly illustrated book; National Book Award finalist Adrienne Mayor presents the Amazons as they have never been seen before. This is the first comprehensive account of warrior women in myth and history across the ancient world; from the Mediterranean Sea to the Great Wall of China.Mayor tells how amazing new archaeological discoveries of battle-scarred female skeletons buried with their weapons prove that women warriors were not merely figments of the Greek imagination. Combining classical myth and art; nomad traditions; and scientific archaeology; she reveals intimate; surprising details and original insights about the lives and legends of the women known as Amazons. Provocatively arguing that a timeless search for a balance between the sexes explains the allure of the Amazons; Mayor reminds us that there were as many Amazon love stories as there were war stories. The Greeks were not the only people enchanted by Amazons―Mayor shows that warlike women of nomadic cultures inspired exciting tales in ancient Egypt; Persia; India; Central Asia; and China.Driven by a detective's curiosity; Mayor unearths long-buried evidence and sifts fact from fiction to show how flesh-and-blood women of the Eurasian steppes were mythologized as Amazons; the equals of men. The result is likely to become a classic.
#36959 in Books Deaton Angus 2015-05-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x 1.10 x 5.40l; .0 #File Name: 0691165629376 pagesThe Great Escape Health Wealth and the Origins of Inequality
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is a great book. It combines a beautiful writing style with ...By Reasonable personThis is a great book. It combines a beautiful writing style with amazing insights. Deaton won the 2015 Noble prize in economics but you definitely do not need to be an economist to enjoy it.It will cause thinking people on the left; right and middle to think differently (and better) about public health; equality of opportunity; and foreign aid.This is the best book I have read on equality of opportunity because it appeals strongly to both the heart and the mind.Deaton's in-depth expertise with the negative impacts of foreign aid (especially with smaller countries) is compelling. This counter-intuitive reality shows the importance of smart metrics (which was the foundation for Deaton's Noble prize).From a positive perspective; he shows that public health usually provides a huge return on investment and lays the foundation for education and equality of opportunity.I believe a focus on "equality of opportunity for everyone" could drive economic growth and reduce inequality in the U.S. and the world.The Great Escape is a book that the world's leaders need to read; understand and embrace.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tremendous!By Carlos A. CinquettiSome great economists; which we used to know only through very formal papers; are proving to be good writer. Among them; Deaton excels. It brings very good stories with an exposition that we feel like reading a Tolstoi of Science. He knows how to tell good stories; which any scientific writing should search; and which involves concepts and notions that evolve. There some impressing exposition on Wealth and Health; on Incone inequality within the USA; on income inequality in the world; as well as on some attempted remedies. Worth Reading for economists and non-economists0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. fact based claim that foreign aide as we think of it is largely wasted. Amelioration of world poverty is just not feasible ...By MARK LIEBERMANThis is clearly the most insightful book I've read for sometime. In contrast to so much we read today; this book is optimistic about social and economic progress. It's policy recommendations for developed countries are largely hurried and not very well justified -- all except for one; and that one is very important. He makes a very strong; fact based claim that foreign aide as we think of it is largely wasted. Amelioration of world poverty is just not feasible given the infrastructure of the countries that need it most. Clearly; just writing checks doesn't do it; he claims; despite the good intentions those accompanying those checks. But he doesn't advocate doing nothing. He just advocates a carefully administered program that helps underdeveloped countries; but only if they help themselves first.
