Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends [Paperback]

Lewis Spence (Author)

Book Description

Series: Egypt | Publication Date: December 1, 1990

This superb in-depth survey explores animism, totemism, fetishism, creation myths, Egyptian priesthood, cult of Osiris, numerous deities, Book of the Dead, alchemy, Egyptian art and magic, legends, and a host of other fascinating topics. An erudite, clearly written work, enhanced with over 50 photographs and illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486265250
• ISBN-13: 978-0486265254
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written comprehensive study., May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends (Paperback)

The details this book gives are extraordinary and the accompanying plates and illustrations are wonderful, though on occasion their quality is waning. I particularily found fascinating the study of the five parts of the being and their capabilities when the body containing them was alive or deceased. The influence of dreams is also looked at, albeit briefly. My only real complaint might be that since it was written in the early twentieth century, Pharaoh names and place-names are rendered differently, which is a bit odd, and the authors habit of referring to the ancient Egyptians as savage and primitive gets a bit annoying. I realize that this is only a reflection of the attitude of his day, and thus I will not hold such against Mr. Spence as the rest of the work more than makes up for these blemishes of preference.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars know what you're getting, October 4, 2004

By 

Theophanu (Hattiesburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends (Paperback)

This book is great for lovers of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody novels---it shows the state of knowledge about ancient Egypt in the early 20th century. This book was published originally in 1915. It's a classic. But it's NOT a good source for up-to-date scholarship on ancient Egyptian religion. The author's thesis is that ancient Egyptians were just as barbarous in their primitive beliefs as any other savages are. This can be very amusing to read, but. . . . Much of the information is outdated, some of it is just plain discredited; it's also occasionally quite insightful. It's more likely to confuse somebody who doesn't know much about ancient Egypt than to help, though.

29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Souce of Egyptian Mythology Information, September 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends (Paperback)

Ancient Egyptian Myths and Legends is the best collection of Egyptian myths I've found anywhere. Every aspect of Egyptian gods and dieties was mentioned in full detail. You have a question, I promise it will answer. Definitely a book to add to your shopping cart if you love Egyptian myth