Customer Reviews

The Ancient Gods Speak: A Guide to Egyptian Religion

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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This is an excellent collection of articles. However, potential purchasers should be advised that the articles are pulled from Donald Redford's Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt, but without the extensive bibliographies, and with fewer illustrations. (The Introduction by Redford is, I believe, original to this volume.) If you already own the Encyclopedia, you might want to think twice before purchasing this book. If you don't already have the Encylcopedia, The Ancient Gods Speak will be an important addition to your shelf on Egyptian religion.

This unassuming little volume is a veritable who's who of modern Egyptology. The articles are very well researched and thoughtful, and the depth of knowledge that informs them makes this a valuable reference for those who want to understand ancient Egyptian beliefs and related practices. It is true that these articles are intended for an academic audience, so don't expect cotton candy. Consider this a reference work: it may be a slow read, but quite worthwhile.

I purchased this book here through Amazon, and I have to say that I cannot knock the contents of the book per say only that it was a difficult Read. I would say more for a University Setting. This one will take time to finish

It's separated out for each subject, for example "Orsiris" is a sub-section under "O", and "Afterlife" is a sub-section is under "A", this makes it very easy to use as a reference tool. The "Further Reading" section impressed me as well, and is a great tool within the book I plan to take advantage of. Again, as with most books I have read on Egyptian Mythology there is a lack of stories or "legends" within the book, containing more oppinions on the subjects rather than the "whole" stories themselves. I'd rather read the COMPLETE STORIES of myths and legends of the gods and obtain my own oppinion from it with a summary or hypothetical explaination at the end, yes I know this is never gonna happen but a girl can dream now can't she!! ;) Don't get me wrong I'm not dawging the book, it's wonderful in educating what type of artifacts egyptians used in thier religion, and summaries of why they use them. But my preference is to have the FULL story of the legend that goes with the use of the artifacts.