LOST DISCOVERIES The Multicultural Roots of Modern Science from the Babylonians to the Maya

Writing, mathematics, tools, metals, chemistry, and medicines are only some of the discoveries visited in this extensive survey of ideas, substances, and inventions. Peter Johnson's pleasant voice and excellent diction are up to the task of pronouncing the many foreign and scientific terms, and of guiding us on an intellectual journey through thousands of years of world history from Mesopotamia to Mesoamerica. Frequent references to the land surrounding the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers relate to the recent activity there. The transfer of information, as measured in "ideas per minute," might tax the brain enough to make driving in heavy traffic a challenge. The sweetest part is there's no test at the end. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]