Gr 4-7-A different slant on the study of cultures of the past. With lucid, well-written texts and colorful drawings, both books concentrate on the design and function of a major town. A 17th-century community based on Benin City of the Edo empire in present-day Nigeria, and a 15th-century Inca town using Cuzco, Peru, as a model are presented first in aerial views, followed by double-page spreads that feature sites within each town-a temple or shrine, fortress, main square, homes, artisan workshops, etc. Clever "Time-Traveler's Guides" offer advice on shopping, how to pack, festivals, modes of travel, etc. "Guided Tours" of the important sites wrap up these studies. For readers who want more detailed information, Heather Millar's The Kingdom of Benin in West Africa (1996) and Kathryn Hinds's The Incas (1998, both Benchmark) offer well-rounded historical and cultural material with good-quality, full-color photography.-Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR

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