Customer Reviews

Egyptian Art (World of Art)

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This volume is actually a re-issed version of his earlier work. the illustration are fine, but the text is dated & sometimes a little skewed by his own theories. It is not a bad place to start one's reading, but really reflects the scholarship of 30 or more years ago.

Dr. Aldred does not need to be introduced: he is one of the most distinguished Egyptologists at the present time; being an expert in the subject, it is not surprising that this historical overview of ancient Egyptian Art should be recommended to anyone interested in following its steps from the beginnings to the end of Pharaonic History. Well-written, with many color and b&w illustrations cleverly chosen to enhance the contents. There are the too-often reproduced "masterpieces", but also several objects of interest not easily accesible to general public. Highly recommended also for lovers of the History of Arts.

An excellent chronological survey of Egyptian art by one of the Egyptology's best writers.

Upon a recommendation from a professor of Egyptian art, I bought this book in hopes of gaining a basis of knowledge (being completely ignorant of the subject). I must admit I find Aldred utterly unreadable. He inserts commas all sorts of places they should not be, altering the meaning I intuit he is trying to convey and forcing me to reread every other sentence. I think books should introduce concepts inspiring reflection, not writing demanding deciphering. The last straw came when Aldred called a statuary material "graywacke (schist)"-a laughable conflation of geology. Please, if you want a beautifully illustrated book of Egyptian art basics, read _The Illustrated Guide to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo_: it has a lovely history lesson for each period and object, as well as inspiring photos (lacking in Aldred).