Product Description

Adam Hart-Davis, one of the nation's favourite TV presenters, returns to our screens with a tour through the Top Ten developments of each of the great civilisations of the past. From the Egyptians to the Romans, Babylonians to the Arabs, Adam takes us on an epic history of the world, looking at some of the great legacies left to us by ancient cultures. "What the Past Did For Us" accompanies a major 9-part new format autumn show, in which Adam is the anchorman who leads us through the history of inventions while testing some of these in the studio. The accompanying book is an entertainingly written history of ancient cultures, capturing Adam's enthusiasm for the subject. Adam tells the story of the Chinese inventors who came up with the mariner's compass, paper money and gunpowder right through to the Ancient Indians who, according to Einstein 'taught us how to count' as well as giving us the 12-month calendar year and 7-day week.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #315376 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

What the past
This is a very entertaining book - I was given this as I really enjoy Adam Hart-Davis' series and his style. The book didn't disappoint. It's a mine of fascinating information and has provided me with much entertainment when there's nothing on the tv! I'm now a source of many useless but fascinating facts to entertain others with!