The Beginning of Writing (Lucent Overview Series)

Grade 6-9-- Stylistically interesting and factually forthright, these unintimidating books deliver a substantial quantity of information in an economy of space. They don't forge new territory but do offer readable overviews for reports and/or quick information-gathering. Teen Alcoholism is not as thorough as Susan Cohen's A Six-Pack and a Fake I. D. (M. Evans, 1988), but it packs a similar punch in its complete coverage of necessary material. The Beginning of Writing discusses communication strategies invented by pre-alphabetic societies. The result is a pleasing combination of cross-cultural scope plus information found in piecemeal in titles such as Leonard Cottrell's Reading the Past and Oscar Ogg's The 26 Letters (both Crowell, 1971; o.p.). In both titles, black-and-white photographs and illustrations are peppered liberally throughout. Reasonable additions, the books give quick, readable, and reliable information at a touch. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.