Customer Reviews

HOREMHEB: The Forgotten Pharaoh

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(2)
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I have often felt it unfair when Egyptologists create stories about important figures in Egypt when there is no evidence to support it. Certainly, the "Amarna" era has its share of these stories. I tend to resist the extreme stories (ie Tutankhamun was murdered, Hatshepsut was an evil queen/king).

HOREMHEB: The Forgotten Pharaoh focuses on the information that is actually known about this man and doesn't write in bitter political rivalry and intrigue without evidence. Happily there is a great deal of information I haven't found in other discussions of Horemheb and other associated figures of the Amarna period.

I have read many books on ancient Egypt, some are disappointing. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Egypt and/or seeking details on this particular king. The stages in Horemheb's career are covered in detail. I found it of interest that later in his life before he became king, he was the one who was called to the palace when the king and/or royal family was in hysterical uproar and restored calm "with his voice." He seems to have been a wise man loyal to Egypt, a skilled general and administrator. A non-royal he put Egypt in order after the royal family of the 18th Dynasty died out with Tutankhamun and established a new dynasty, the 19th, by naming Ramesses I, the head of a capable family, as his successor and ushering in a renewed era in Egypt.

Can you tell I liked the book?

Charlotte Booth is to be commended for bringing together the wealth of surviving information relating to one of Egypt's important, but neglected, pharaohs. That said, it should be noted that Booth tends to charge off into scenarios which other historians might seriously question. She has a definite idea of her subject and is adept at weaving the sometimes puzzling evidence into a validation of her view. Unfortunately--and not at all the fault of the author--the beginning chapters are already out-dated in light of recent results from DNA tests on Amarna royal mummies. "Horemheb The Forgotten Pharoah" still has much to recommend it, even if in this reviewer's opinion it should be read with a healthy dose of questioning. For a more measured account of the reign of Horemheb see chapter seven in Aidan Dodson's "Amarna Sunset."

Kate et al., you are entirely correct. Anyone with access to journals on Ancient Egypt will be struck by the fact that Charlotte Booth's book comes across as a very poor collation of incredibly informative articles from said journals. These details are simply stitched together without the author bothering to add her perspectives. There are three major issues that I found rather disturbing. Firstly, the author's avoidance of citing and giving credit to the authors from whose articles she takes her information. A good example is found on page 37 where she says, and I quote: "From the Middle Kingdom fortress of Uronaroti, in Nubia, wooden tokens have been discovered which the soldiers exchanged for bread." The source of this information is never cited. The beginning of Chapter 4 reads like C. Aldred's paper: "The End of El-Armarna Period" published in J. of Egyptian Archaeology Vol. 43, pages 30-41 (1957). In her academic circles it may not be considered plagiarism but what she seem to have done comes dangerously close to it. Secondly, I found too many conjectures that are never substantiated. Is it possible that her bold but unsubstantiated statements may possibly have been lifted from sources that she unwittingly avoids citing? Thirdly, her hand-drawn illustrations are very misleading, whether it is a deliberate distortion or innocuous incompetence when it comes to drawing. As an example, compare her drawing on page 37 to Plate 46 in C. Aldred's book entitled Tutankhamun's Egypt. In another example, compare Booth's drawing on page 53 and the drawing on page 5 in an article published by Alan Gardiner in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Vol. 39 (1953). She clearly needs to avoid coming up with her own drawings when better quality drawings or pictures are available in the public domain. All in all, the book disappointingly appears like it was hastily put together with very little regard for academic seriousness. The book is clearly substandard and will inevitably disappoint any serious Egyptologist student, unless the reader lacks previous knowledge or access to published sources on the subjects touched by the author. I would suggest editing the book because Horemheb is too important an historical figure to have his narrative so poorly articulated. One good starting point is to cite the sources of the details in her book.

this book is nothing but a disappointing rehashing of old scholarship readily available elsewhere. the author brings nothing new to the table; there's no attempt at original research here, nor is fresh insight offered. considerable space is devoted to issues only tangentially related to Horemheb, including a highly speculative account of his education and training which may or may not be widely off the mark: it all depends on whether Horemheb was a commoner who had to work his way up through the ranks, or whether he was born into the elite (albeit non-royal) and hence had a considerable head start in life. in this respect, mrs. Booth fails miserably. she does not discuss Horemheb's pre-royal career to any satisfactory extent. she mentions neither Horemheb's proposed relations (Horemheb, owner of TT78) nor discusses the brilliant work done by Prof. Jared Miller in equating Mursilis II's egyptian correspondent Arma'a with the then general Horemheb. a more thorough research of the subject matter would have benefitted this book and have spared mrs. booth a considerable blunder.

This book comes off rather like pro-Horemheb propaganda. Not the most interesting read, either. Now, the Amarna Period of Ancient Egypt is my passion & my main area of study, so I am always on the lookout for new information on the subject. That's why I apporoached this book with such high hopes, but was strongly disappointed. It didn't tell me much I didn't already know, and the author is clearly a Horemheb fan, putting the very best interpretation possible on every action and/or motive. I am not convinced. Mind you, second-guessing motives for people dead for more than 3,000 years and from a turbulent and complex period of history can never be a certain thing in the first place, but I did not come away from this book favorably impressed by either the author or her subject.

Not so impressive as R. Hari's wonderful book about Horemheb & Mutnodjemet. A lot of general information available everywhere. Terrible drawings, very inaccurate, by the author. So, usual student's work of normal quality for this level, but not to the book or PhD.

This accounting of the life and influence of Horemheb is extensive, easy to read and understand. With all of the attention paid to others, like Rameses II; it's really refreshing to find this book. This is not a 'coffee table' book but a truly in-depth study of an important pharaoh.

This book by Charlotte Booth, contains plenty of colored plates. Along with many of her own line drawings, showing she has spent time getting to know her topic, Horemheb: The Forgotten Pharaoh.

Like a cold case, Ms Booth looks at the evidence and lets it lead her. I was greatly surprised to learn of all the documentation that this Pharaoh left behind. Therefore, the book is based more upon physical evidence, than the usual authoritative opinion. It is refreshing and something long lacking in the field of Egyptology. Her opinions (few) and stated as such instead of as the new norm. Allows the reader to decide based upon the evidence she provides if her opinion has any weight. Presented, as it is, some of her opinions do have weigh, but not all. Horemheb becomes a real human being in this book. This is not a book for the people that want the Amarna Pharaohs including Tutankhamun to be victims of evil servants. It is clear, well thought out, creative, and interesting book.

I was impressed with the details provided of an Egyptian coronation it rings authentic. Honestly, I find little to fault in it. Its major fault, to me anyway, is found on page 17. She puts the so-called father of Christian Chronology, Africanus 3rd century A.D. into the same century as the Egyptian priest turned historian Manetho 3rd century B.C. shocking but understandable. For those wanting a dose of reality, and modern science, psychology, forensics brought to this era, I highly recommend the book.

As an author and student of ancient Egypt, I found this book quite interesting and informative. I especially found the information on a scribes' life and training well described as was that of the soldier. Although we have a good deal of information on the 18th dynasty and it's end, we have not alot on the man Horemheb, and what we do is open to question. Although he is often described as the first pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, I see his successor Rameses I and his son Seti I as the fisrt pharaohs of the 19th dynasty. The author does a fine job of gathering the information we do know about Horemheb and presenting it in a coherent and organized manner. Horemheb at the very least is the embodimnet of a common man who rose to the loftiest position in the known world in his time-in my opinion when he says he was a descendant of the prior kings I believe he was in some way related to the royal family, just as he was probably reltaed to his long-time friend, eventual vizier and successor Rameses I. Horemheb in history exudes a certain morality and honesty so I do not see him telling such a blatant lie even to secure the throne-he didn't need to. Horemheb's reign is the return to reality and sanity after the destructive rule of the pharaoh Akhenaten.