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Mary G
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We've been investigating the way, way back past this year. We're just finishing up our Mesopotamia unit and have found some fabulous resources. Here's a link to a blog post but I wanted to especially mention the Gilgamesh epic books by Ludmila Zeman -- these three stories are retellings of the oldest epic ever recorded.
It's also fascinating how many Mesopotamian legends are also Biblical stories -- Noah and his ark and Moses being found in the basekt in the river.
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Anne
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I agree Mary! We just finished the first book in the trilogy and my children loved it. They can't wait to continue the story  We love to make connections between the bible and other stories or myths.
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Kathryn UK
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Another vote for the Gilgamesh trilogy  . There is also a retelling of Gilgamesh by Geraldine McCaughrean. Although I usually like her books, this one didn't fly here and I prefer Ludmila Zeman's books. The illustrations are lovely.
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vmalott
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For high school students and parents, the David Ferry translation of Gilgamesh is very accessible...a fairly quick read.
We really enjoyed our study of Mesopotamia a few years ago. It was really neat to make the connections with Biblical people as well, especially Abraham. The Zeman books appealed to all my kids.
Valerie
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Erin
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Mary
I had read your blog post with interest and have been meaning to ask you, are you doing RC History? We are in the middle of Mesopotamia ourselves, I decided that I couldn't afford three Zeman books so I purchased Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean as it worked out cheaper, we are due to read it next week, finishing up unit two of RC History. So as of yet I haven't read it.
Actually so far my dc are not enjoying Mesopotamia but I think that has more do with the fact that I have 'put my foot down' and I'm making them complete assigned work. A bit of a shock for them Once they complete their written work I know they will enjoy the hands on activities
ETA: Kathryn I just read your post  I do hope my dc do like it 
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margot helene
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Erin,
have you read this yet? There is one questionable point in the reading. You'll want to read aloud so you can skip over it. It is near the beginning of the book. The only version I've found that avoids this is the Bryson version. I think I sent one to Anna at Fountain. It is published by Whole Spirit Press. (The Zeman one mentions the incident but not as graphically as McCaugrearn.)
Margot
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Erin
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Margot
I am reading it aloud, there was a part in chapter two that made me uncomfortable is that the part you meant? It was when Hattie was enticing Enkidu to join the 'world of men'.
I am kind of regretting buying the McCaughrean version as Mary is favourable about the Zeman books, which I didn't buy as I was trying to save money. Mmm a lesson.
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Mary G
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Y'mean to always listen to my advice? 
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Erin
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Mary,
That's what I mean, next time I will write to you BEFORE I place my order
The lesson was maybe there was a reason that RC picked that particular title. Having said all this the dc are enjoying the book.
BTW Are you doing RC History?
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Mary G
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| Posted: Nov 28 2007 at 6:59am | IP Logged
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Erin wrote:
| BTW Are you doing RC History? |
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I'm so sorry Erin, I meant to answer this question earlier. I am not using RC, but am using Gombrich's Little HIstory of the World loosely as my spine and building off that. My kids LOVED Egypt so we spent the first couple of months on that and than moved to Mesopotamia/Babylonia etc. Which fits well as I've been reading the OT stories to them, using The Golden's Children Bible and supplementing THAT book with the DK Family Bible -- so it all fits together. Kind of neat as I've never really read thru the OT and only knew some of the stories.
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Mesopotamia
