Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Clements's ( The Illustrated History of the World ) concise yet conversational text and accurate drawings focus on some 60 inventions that have greatly influenced civilization, at the same time spotlighting hundreds of other intriguing discoveries and events. Evidence of the author's fastidious research fills this paper-over-board volume's colorful spreads, each of which is packed with informative sidebars, spot art (much of it accompanied by humorous asides) and an illustrated timeline that helps place the inventions in historical context. After offering an overview of ancient and medieval inventors, Clements zeroes in on key individuals, including Johannes Gutenberg, Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein and Theodore Maiman. An introductory note acknowledges that--due to incomplete historical records and ``limited opportunities in the past for some people''--``many major inventions are associated with European men''; Clements, however, includes notes on the work of selected women and minority members. Her edifying book concludes with an extensive illustrated glossary. Ages 8-12. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-What readers really get here (and never mind the all-inclusive title) is a look at inventors who were male, white, and residing in Europe or America. Once they get over that bump in the road, they'll find an inquisitive trundle through time, from Archimedes (the Archimedes screw) to Theodore Maiman (the laser). While some biographical data is imparted, along with a look at the famous innovation, more fun can be had (and tons of trivia acquired) via the tiny vignettes at the side and bottom of each page. Those at the sides give other technological developments that occurred at about the same time as the featured invention (Charles Goodyear's vulcanized rubber and Chubb's ``new'' safe share space with Morse's telegraph, for example). The items at the bottom present other ``happenings'': again, using Morse as an example, readers learn that there was a huge meteor shower in 1833, and that Sir Isaac Pitman devised shorthand in 1837. So, willy-nilly, children discover that sterling inventions did not happen in a vacuum; that everyone and everything was tootling along, watching meteors, overheating rubber, and struggling with shorthand. Double-page spreads on ``Earliest Inventions'' and ``Medieval Inventions'' indicate there (at least) was an Egypt and a Far East. Obviously, this is no in-depth examination suitable for serious research. However, as a way of providing a smattering of information, and giving one food for future thought, this is an approachable, enjoyable title.-Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The oversized volume presents a variety of inventors, all male, and their most famous inventions, while a historical time line runs across the bottom of each page. There is humor in the colorful, primitive illustrations, but the busy layout and minimal text make the book most appropriate for browsers. Glos., ind. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
