Tracy Barrett

Thousands of years of Chinese history are covered with remarkable skill in this slim volume.
— Curriculum Connections

Readers seriously interested in history, in archaeology—or in China—will be well served by this engrossing book. Its 23 chapters progress chronologically, but each has a focus (e.g., the Shang, warfare, Buddhism, crafts, the role of women), and several of them engagingly retell the story of a memorable person, like Shensheng, Lady Hao, Laozi, and Wang Mang. A pronunciation chart is provided, along with phonetic versions of each name in a short "Cast of Characters." Primary-source material used throughout is identified in situ. Fascinating sidebars, superb maps, and color photos and reproductions with informative captions add utility and appeal. Women are as much a part of the story as possible (considering their generally low status).
— School Library Journal

A general overview using primary sources of turtle shells, clay pots, an ancient wall, folk songs, poetry, and more to construct a lively history of the politicians, farmers, warriors, and philosophers who created and shaped the ancient Chinese world.
    The authors also show the fascinating process of constructing a historical jigsaw puzzle. Archaeologists discover a 400,000 year old skull near modern day Beijing and determine that it is one of our earliest human ancestors. A scholar who prescribed "dragon bones" to cure an illness realizes that the bones—which are actually turtle shells—contain ancient Chinese writing used to send messages to the gods. Other discoveries weave a dramatic story of rulers, writers, soldiers, and citizens who made up the world of ancient China.
— Paragon Book Gallery

With the continuing discoveries of archaeologists and researchers, history is constantly changing . . . and so is learning about history thanks to this series.
— Growing Minds

For fans of Joy Hakim's wonderful History of US series, Oxford University Press is publishing The World in Ancient Times, the multi-volume world history equivalent. . . . This series is a great idea.
— Home Education

An excellent, flexible series to introduce, review, and enrich history units.
— School Library Journal