The Temples of Karnak [Hardcover]

R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz (Author), Georges de Mir? (Photographer), Valentine de Mir? (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

More than 700 photographs and line illustrations documenting the ancient Egyptian temples of Karnak

• A magnificent excursion that explores the monuments, ruins, statues, and bas-reliefs from the ancient and highly developed civilization of Egypt

• The only complete photographic record available of this important acheological treasure 

• Contains 600 photographs by two top French award-winning photographers

This book is a magnificent excursion led by R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz to the monuments, ruins, statues, and bas-reliefs of the temples of Karnak. With nearly 600 photographs by Georges and Valentine de Mire, more than 450 of which are full-page plates, this volume is the only complete photographic record of this important historic site. Because of recent vandalism many of the artifacts are no longer intact, and it is no longer possible to see many of the details captured in these images. 
This promenade through the temples of Karnak reveals the remains of a world devoted to an unimpeachable faith in the afterlife, a faith whose conviction seems to have exalted its builders and artists, as was the case for several brief centuries with those who constructed the cathedrals of the Middle Ages. One did not work at fashioning these stones, nor were these works sculpted under someone's strict authority; here it was necessary to act out of the heart. Every gesture in the depictions, every arrangement in the buildings, is a hieroglyph from the symbolic language of the sages who spoke to spirit and consciousness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Of all contemporary esotericists, there are few who are as fascinating, and whose work is as potentially rewarding, as R. A. Achwaller de Lubicz."
(Gnosis )

"As a contemporary renaissance man, R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz may fall into that category of genius shared by such luminaries as Rudolph Steiner and Emanuel Swedenborg. He combined the talents of social reformer, artist, scientist, visionary, and mystic to formulate ideas that were far ahead of their time."
(East West )

"R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz, one of the most important Egyptologists of the twentieth century, collects the giant shards of this fascinating and strangely alien civilization and presents them in a book that is itself as monumental as it is beautiful. Inner Traditions has now completed a task that truely warrants applause."
(The Quest, Nov/Dec 2000 )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 736 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892817127
• ISBN-13: 978-0892817122
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 9.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Record of an Essential Site, December 13, 2003

By 

Stanley C. Sargent "Stanley C. Sargent" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Temples of Karnak (Hardcover)

This beautifully boxed, printed and bound hardcover is the finest record of the reliefs and monuments of Karnak that I've encountered. In main, this book consists of over 450 excellent, clear and detailed, black and white photographs, one to each oversized page. A brief introductory text provides the reader with some historical and overview information to prepare him/her for the photos. The photos are followed by fairly lengthy notes describing each photo individually, which is a wonderful addition that adds tremendous insight and understanding to the knowledge and enjoyment to be derived from the wonderful camerawork.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt that goes beyond the casual.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vital piece of Egyptology, February 18, 2002

By 

ilmk "ilmk" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Temples of Karnak (Hardcover)

I bought this as a gift for my wife but on flicking through it myself have found it stirred a mixture of curiosity and wonder. It is primarily a book with plates of the Temple at Karnak, but it has a good opening section on the history of the area, a nice outlay on each of the royal cartouches and, after the plates themselves, a interesting commentary.
The book is not intended as a discussion on Karnak. It is the culmination of several years hard work photographing and documenting the temple. As a primary source it is already invaluable, for to have such a feast of photographs in one book is rare.
Any Egpytologist or student of the area must possess this book because the Temple of Karnak is there in all its glory to look at. If it had some color plates then so much the better but that is hardly a detraction on an immensely fine piece of work.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monumental!, March 29, 2009

By 

Friend of Egypt "Instructor" (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Temples of Karnak (Hardcover)

Karnak is THE largest place of worship on the planet. Trying to gain a perspective on its implications on history is a lengthy process. The contents of this giant 9.5" x 12.5" volume put things together on a scale that is breathtaking. It is an architectural & spiritual journey for anyone interested in ancient Egypt.

The over 450 full-page black & white photos are a fantastic record of the temples, statuary and obelisks as they stood prior to 1982. Since that time much information has been degraded by tourism and pollution. The B & W photography is almost essential to see the carvings in the sunlight. Only during certain times during the day are many reliefs in their optimal viewing moment. So many temples and chapels are overlooked by tourists or are off-limits. With the exception of Hatchepsuts' recently restored "Red Chapel," most everything is covered in this volume, including the beautiful raised-relief alabaster "White Chapel" of Sesostris I.

The rear of the book has commentaries on every plate, architectural floor plans indicating the exact viewing angle of each photo, Line drawings of important temple features (particular attention given to the "botanical garden" area added by Tuthmosis III, to name one) and detailed notes of the history and significance of every corner of this amazing complex. Some notes include reconstruction overlays of carvings usurped by later rulers & manuscript pages of Champollion.

After having returned again in 2009, my color digital photos cannot add much to the detail contained in this book. Karnak is a place, to most, steeped in mystery and wonderment. For the list price of around $65. this book cannot be beat! The only other place to find a copy of the original "Epigraphic Survey - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak (Oriental Institute Pubns: No. 25)," from 1936, is the OI or Chicago House in Egypt.

If you are a serious Egyptophile and want the most comprehensive information on this complex of temples, this book is a "must have!"