Large format 64 page book for young adults. Profusely illustrated, many illustrations occupy a whole page. A number of chapters covering the founding of the city, the construction of the library, famous persons associated with the library, and its eventual destruction. The discussion of the contributions of Archimedes is not really mathematically sound. I had not heard previously of Hierophilus the reputed vivisector, since my interest is mostly in math and engineering. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the illustrations: the Greek soldier confiscating books for the library looked oddly Roman. ( )

An introduction to the largest and most famous library in the ancient world, discussing its construction in Alexandria, Egypt, its vast collections, rivalry with the Pergamum Library, famous scholars, and distruction by fire. Includes biographical references and index

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