SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD is art historian Lynn Curlee’s information-packed tour of the structures. After a brief and somewhat confusing introduction, Curlee delves into descriptions of the great marvels accompanied by illustrations in his signature style. Curlee’s choices for emphasis are sometimes strange. For example, when discussing the statue of Zeus at Olympia, he briefly mentions the Olympic games on the page facing the statue‘s illustration. Turning to the next double-page spread, the reader sees a full-page illustration of four bearded, naked men running. Although not explicit or inappropriate in its presentation, the odd thing about this is that even the short description of the Olympic Games doesn’t even mention nudity. These kinds of choices may leave readers confused as opposed to focused on the topic.

The information about each marvel seems to be thoroughly researched, although one can not be sure of the sources as no references are provided. Part of the problem lies in the fact that each structure has an intricate history that may be confusing when condensed into such a short description. Mary Ann Carcich, writing for School Library Journal points out that, “Unfamiliar names will stymie many readers (there’s no pronunciation guide); students may also have difficulty following the trail of evidence that documents each structure’s history and legend.”

Curlee’s art work is striking, in its simplicity still able to impart a sense of nobility and grandeur. Khufu stares out at the reader in a stiff, but still oddly realistic way. Something about his eyes conveys humanness, and a sense that he was a real person. Still, some of the figures, such as the men standing on and near the Colossus of Rhodes are so flat as to appear to be cut out and pasted onto the page.

Publishers Weekly states that, “The expanse of his ambitious subject does not allow the author to delve into the kinds of details allowed by his single-subject volumes, but he certainly whets readers’ appetites with this well-researched introduction,” To be sure, the subject matter is interesting, but something about the presentation in SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD seems self-indulgent.

2002. Review of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in Publishers Weekly.

Carcich, Mary Ann. 2002. Review of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in School Library Journal.