Brian Fagan's edition of Austen Henry Layard's "Nineveh and its Remains" is a fabulous and affordable abridgement of what has to be the most romantic tale of archaeology- finding the enormous palaces and monumental sculptures of the ancient Assyrians. Traveling by horseback to the dangerous and exotic Turkish ruled mid-east; living among the arab people and learning their culture, customs, language and their history; visiting the ruins of other civilizations and thinking over the 'meaning behind it all'; and finally bringing back to the light of day the ancient Assyrians through their remains- human-headed lions and bird-headed divinities, massive throne rooms and polished ivories. The book contains many excellent illustrations that give life to this wonderful book.