Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids [Hardcover]

Guillemette Andreu (Author), David Lorton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Recreates the golden age of ancient Egypt. Here, for example, the pyramids and the sphinx are construction sites teeming with workers. Administrators bustle to fulfil their assignments from the Pharaoh's court. Scribes draft the necessary letters in hieroglyphics. The representation of ordinary life in Egypt in brought from a variety of sources. Andreu makes use of letters from family archives, full of household instruction from travellers or nostalgic greetings from grown children living away from their parents. Also are the scenes carved or painted on the walls of tombs. Short hieroglyphic inscriptions accompany these images, recording what might have been said by the men and women they picture.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Drawing on letters, artifacts, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, Andreu provides a vivid slice of everyday life in ancient Egypt. After a brief historical summary of the dynastic era (2700^-1750 B.C.E.), the author concentrates on re-creating the daily lives and tasks of a host of Egyptians from a variety of backgrounds and social classes. Laborers, farmers, scholars, and artisans are all represented in an informative and evocative sociological survey. In addition, religious, political, and cultural activities and traditions are also outlined. An engaging introduction to the manner in which ordinary routines and sacred customs were practiced during one of ancient Egypt's golden ages. Margaret Flanagan

Review

"I am very pleased that this enjoyable, up-to-date, and learned account of life in ancient Egypt is now accessible to American readers in David Lorton's excellent English translation."-Lawrence M. Berman, Research Curator of Egyptian Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art

"Drawing on letters, artifacts, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, Andreu provides a vivid slice of everyday life in ancient Egypt. After a brief historical summary of the dynastic era (2700-1750 B.C.E.), the author concentrates on re-creating the daily lives and tasks of a host of Egyptians from a variety of backgrounds and social classes. Laborers, farmers, scholars, and artisans are all represented in an informative and evocative sociological survey. In addition, religious, political, and cultural activities and traditions are also outlined. An engaging introduction to the manner in which ordinary routines and sacred customs were practiced during one of ancient Egypt's golden ages."-Booklist

"After a brief historical introduction, Andreu surveys, in ten brief, crisply written chapters, the royal court, pyramids, and other public work, the life of the scribe, economic and family life, the countryside, and religious practice. . . Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids is a clear and useful introduction to a fascinating period of Egyptian history."-Choice

"Perfect for any study of Egypt."-The Bookwatch

"This book is a most welcome and valuable one for the individual wishing to learn about ancient Egypt, especially since it also reflects the recent expansion of scholarly interest in matters other than government, wars, and royalty. Andreu deserves commendation for writing a lively and interesting (and accurate) book."-Susan Tower Hollis, Empire State College. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 59, No. 4, October 2000

"A super book."-R.M. Seaton, The Manhattan Mercury --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 171 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Univ Pr (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801432227
• ISBN-13: 978-0801432224
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,766,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not hieroglyphics, July 24, 2000

By 

marzipan "panchild" (Greenwich, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids (Paperback)

This book is for the person just beginning to read about Ancient Egypt, as well as the more advanced reader. It's scholarly, well-organized, and up-to-date, but this narrative of the Old and Middle Kingdoms, and people who lived in those times, is also vivid and moving. Day-to-day life of those long gone becomes real, for Guillemette Andreu has given the Ancient Egyptians the immortality they yearned for. I haven't seen the book in its original French, but the translation by David Lorton must be excellent, it reads so well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars accurate presentation of the Age of the Pyramids, June 13, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids (Paperback)

An extremely well-written thoroughly-explained book, it provides an expressive picture of everyday life of the Ancient Egyptians and the pharaohs of the time. In the first chapter, the history of the dynastic era (2700-1750 B.C.E.) is briefly summarized. Throughout the remainder of the book, the author attempts to recreate the daily lives, labours and religious beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians, with the aid of letters, artifacts, hieroglyphic inscriptions and tomb scenes. Highly recommended for all and particularly for those whose primary interest lies in the Age of the Pyramids.