The Neolithic Revolution in the Near East: Transforming the Human Landscape

This was just what I was looking for. It provides the major opinions on the topics covered while also (usually) giving a sense for what the prevailing views are. A good amount of detail is provided in describing artifacts, which should help with a fictional book I am writing.

The author knows the prevailing literature and presents an effective explanation of the Neolithic in Near East. I am currently researching the domestication of cats during the Neolithic. Although there was not a lot specifically about this, the book does explain the Neolithic effectively.

This book provides a grounding in the "Neolithic Revolution" phenomenon, and a rational context for the sometimes unfettered theoretical excursions and didactic expositions found in other writings bearing on this intriguing subject. The author's extensive experiences as an archaeologist in the Levant and Cyprus make this authoritative volume -- comprehending relevant literature to the publication date (2007), but of enduring pertinence -- essential to the professional's library. Its only deficit is relative neglect of the Anatolian Neolithic. To the writer's credit, the book provides intelligible, instructive, and interesting reading for the layman.

Not very well written. Makes it difficult to read in a state of flow. It seems to be intended for people who will then take an exam and need to know who said this and who said that.

This book is a very good map to navigate the Neolithic. It offers an overview of different perspectives and provides a rich bibliography for those who want to dig deeper. The only difficulty is that the author adopts the uncalibrated C-14 dating system, and that can be a little bit confusing.