Akhenaten: The Heretic King [Paperback]

Donald B. Redford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1987

Describes the world of Akhenaten, a ruler of ancient Egypt who attempted to introduce monotheism through worship of the sun.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Redford has produced a remarkable book, one that engages both scholar and general reader. . . . [He] introduces the reader to the heretic king, to 18th Dynasty Egypt, and to history at its best. -- Religious Studies Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691002177
• ISBN-13: 978-0691002170
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars informative book about Akhenaten, June 17, 2000

By 

Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Akhenaten: The Heretic King (Paperback)

The author portrays Akhenaten more as an atheist than a monotheist. A striking portrait is an outline of this fascinating 'worshiper of the sun', who is also one of the best known pharaohs. A good overview is provided of the Akhenaten Temple Project. Some of the author's comments are amusing which makes the book more enjoyable especially through the 'dry' moments. The book contains a short glossary, suggested readings, and many black and white illustrations and drawings. It is recommended for the open-minded lay person.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly blunt and down-to-Earth., May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Akhenaten: The Heretic King (Paperback)

For once, it was nice to have Akhenaten seen as something other than a benevolent man who was before both his time and religion. Dr. Redford reveals that opposed to being a monotheist, Akhenaten was more of an aethiest as there was no real religion--backed up by mythology, which even Chrisitianity has--behind the concept of the Aten. Through the eyes of Dr. Redford, the Heretic becomes a man worth loathing, one who inforced too harshly or didn't inforce at all and for the most part did just leave the empire to rot. Needless to say, if you are an Amarnan Romantic, this book probably shouldn't be your first choice. However, it does pay to see one's subject in many different ways so that one is better able to form their own view. The discussion of the Amarna Temple Project was wonderous,and many of the admirable plates feature reconstructed talatat scenes. It is also revealed that the blocks were not as intentionally brutalized as previously believed. Akhenaten is brutalized slightly in this book, I will admit, but such is the fate of any Heretic, no matter their place in history or their behavior in forming that same history.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Debunks all the nonsense about Akhenaten being enlightened, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Akhenaten: The Heretic King (Paperback)

Excellent. Pretty well debunks all the nonsense about Akhenaten being an enlightened monarch. Without making any claims to be the last word on the topic -- let's face it, there's not so much hard information out there -- it paints a convincing picture of an antisocial egomaniac who subjected his people to his whims, some of which involved standing in the Saharan sun for hours on end. Although it's a scholarly book, and necessarily a little dry at times, some of Redford's observations and comments on the available evidence are quite amusing.