Ancient history will come alive for older children who have a curiosity about the beginnings of civilization. Ancient Man was written by Hendrik Willem Van Loon (1882 - 1944) in 1922 for his two young sons. Van Loon was a Dutch/American historian. His The Story of Mankind, a history of the world especially for children won the first Newbery Medal in 1922. Van Loon's writing style is full of antidotes and a casual delivery suited to young readers. Topics covered include prehistoric man, ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Sumerians, Assyria, Moses, Jerusalem, Damascus, Phoenicians, the beginnings of the alphabet, and the end of the ancient world. Van Loon has a special way of making history come alive for is readers.