John E. Stambaugh stated  "[t]he book is full of interesting digressions: travel reminiscences, a marvelously malicious account of Israelite history, a sketch history of archaeology in Iraq. Throughout, de Camp exhibits skepticism about the sincerity of much Judaeo-Christian morality, interest in the technological and linguistic aspects of the civilizations discussed, determination to combat the notion that 'during the golden age of Greece... the Greeks were the only people in the world who were really alive,' and eagerness to draw modern parallels."
John E. Stambaugh noted that de Camp's book is filled with interesting tangents: travel anecdotes, a humorous account of Israelite history, a brief overview of archaeology in Iraq. Throughout, de Camp expresses doubt about the sincerity of much Judeo-Christian morality, shows interest in the technological and linguistic aspects of the civilizations discussed, aims to debunk the idea that "during the golden age of Greece... the Greeks were the only people in the world who were truly alive," and is eager to draw modern parallels.