Customer Reviews

The Search For Ancient Egypt

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This book is not really about Ancient Egypt. It is, as its title suggests, a book about the discovery of Egypt by modern Europeans and research on the civilization through the 1980s. In a lot of ways it reminds me of a National Geographic issue which isn't bad it just isn't highly technical or academic but geared toward a general audience. If it is judged with this audience in mind, it rates as an excellent book. For anyone more serious, it may be amusing and interesting and certainly a nice change in that it attempts to discuss fairly recent research.

The rather idiosyncratic section headings in this book are: The disappearance of pharonic Egypt; Travellers in ancient times; Crusaders, monks and sightseers on the banks of the Nile; Treasure hunters and thieves; The era of the scholars; Archaeolgists to the rescue; and Documents. It should be noted that the section on documents does not discuss papyrology or famous documents such as the Egyption mathematical leather roll (EMLR), The story of Sinuhe, or anything else of original documents! Having said that, the book as a whole is richly illustrated and is excellent value for money. Every oppportunity has been taken to reproduce colour photographs and black and white illustrations on the full gamut of subjects, not just confining the scope to the best known images. Most of the expected topics are covered: the Rosetta Stone, hieroglyphics, Tutankhamun, the pyramids, the early Egytologists, something of modern research. There is also a useful chronology at the back, and a few interesting technical articles, eg on the preservation of the mummy of Ramesses II, and gravimetric analysis of the Great Pyramid. Rekindles the interest if you have read one too many dry textual work on Egypt. Recommended.

This is a beautifully done book that includes many photographs and illustrations as well as documents pertaining to the history of Egypt as well as the history of Egyptology. Details the historic findings of tombs and relics, illustrations of what things looked like prior to the pillaging that abounded in earlier centuries. A joy to look at and to read and full of great information.

I'd like this book & i want it now