Until nineteenth-century archaeologists uncovered evidence, no one was even sure that the ancient city of Babylon truly existed. Using information from the Bible as well as cuneiform tablets, historians have since pieced together sketches of a remarkable metropolis anchored by breathtaking towers and hanging gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one never proven to exist). Gibson's march through the history, the gods and kings, and the modern countries that occupy the land is a bit dry and declarative but packed with report-friendly info, including sidebars on important leaders like Alexander the Great. The mix of artwork is fabulous: ancient and modern speculative illustrations commingle with photos of artifacts, ruins, and modern Iraq, including the fall of Saddam Hussein's statue. A solid, educational entry in the Explore Ancient Worlds series.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist