The Jericho River: A Magical Novel about the History of Western Civilization Paperback - 2012

From the publisher

WINNER - LONDON BOOK FESTIVAL, BEST YOUNG ADULT WORK; WINNER - NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS, BEST SCI-FI/FANTASY NOVEL; BRONZE MEDALIST - READERS' FAVORITE BOOK REVIEWS & AWARD CONTEST Imagine you could learn history by reading a magical adventure novel. You can. The Jericho River flows through a mythic world shaped by history. Young Jason Gallo sails the river on a dangerous quest to rescue his father. He battles minotaurs and pirates, flees barbarians, stumbles into mummies' tombs, and outwits fairies, philosophers, and scientists. Along the way, he discovers friendship, love, and betrayal - and faces a hidden foe who threatens all he holds dear. The Jericho River flows like a timeline, carrying its hero through historic lands: Sumer, Babylonia, ancient Greece, Medieval Europe, Napoleon's empire, and many others, all in chronological order - tracing the history of Western Civilization, from its Middle Eastern origins to the modern era. Professor Gallo, Jason's father, is a historian, and his notes outline the journey, revealing the truth about Cleopatra, King Arthur, and the fall of the Roman Empire. He explains how Snow White began as a promiscuous goddess and why Eve was created from Adam's rib, as well as the origins of coffee, the cat, chivalry, the Internet, Atlantis - and much more. Come ride the currents of pageantry, myth, and magic that flow from our past into the future. Featuring twenty-six vivid historical illustrations and three maps.