Customer Reviews

The Traveler's Key to Ancient Egypt: A Guide to Sacred Places

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John West really out performed himself with this book. We have just returned from a trip to Egypt and we took this book along. It was super. We visited Cairo, Memphis, Sakkora, Aswan, Luxor and more. Our Egyptian tour guide also had this book and thought it was very good. The detail is great and it is easy to read. The size of the book makes it very easy to carry around but does not limit it's information. The book is very informative with lots of background information about each site. The appendices contain very intersting travel tips and a good overall historcal review. Do not go to Egypt without this book. Highly recomended.

This book is essential for any traveller to Egypt with a mind that is even slightly ajar, let alone open.

West gives an alternative account of the meaning of the monuments and antiquities to be seen in Egypt, more esoteric (though certainly not more difficult to understand) than that which is usually presented in guide books. He points out the details which brought him to the conclusion that the Giza Sphinx is in fact closer to 13,000 years old than the 4,500 years old that has been traditionally believed, and has a different viewpoint to the orthodox school in many cases. He presents both sides of the argument, and gives the information necessary to make up one's own mind based on observation of what is actually there to be seen.

On my first visit to Egypt, my companions and I felt rather sorry for tourists in groups with official guides, because they seemed to be missing out on at least half of the story, and in many cases the whole point.

I was particularly impressed with West's analysis of the architecture of the Temple of Luxor, based on the work of Schwaller de Lubicz, and once it was pointed out how the whole building maps onto a plan of the human skeleton, I found it very difficult to refute.

Whilst I did not always agree with his conclusions on every occasion, it cannot be disputed that West has raised thoroughly pertinent questions which conventional Egyptology has either glibly brushed under the carpet or failed to address at all.

I used this book as one of my guides on a trip to Egypt, and believe it would be helpful to anyone who wants to understand what they're seeing there. It has good explanations of what you will see, and of the author's view of the significance of it. But you must keep in mind that the author takes Ancient Egyptian beliefs more seriously than most 20th Century Americans--Some of his ideas are a bit dotty by my lights. But he is fair and reasonably unbiased. The book format is tall, narrow, and thick--probably about as small as possible to get the information across, but still larger than ideal if you plan to take it into the field with you in Egypt. The size ends up not being totally satisfactory for either leisurely reading or as a field companion. Still the only book I'm aware of that makes a serious effort to be an "on-the-spot" companion for viewing Egyptian antiquities in a studious way.

The author provides a historical overview of Ancient Egypt and the development of Egyptology (by Kircher, Napoleon, Champollion, and Schwaller de Lubicz among many people). The book covers Egyptian Religion as well as the major religious and funerary texts. Giza, the pyramids and the Sphinx are discussed as are Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Abusir, Meidum, Akhetaten, Thebes, Abydos, Dendara, Esna, Edfu, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Alexandria. A section is dedicated to the content of the Cairo Museum. Included are 5 appendices - dynasties and kings; sphinx and pyramid; glossary; bibliography; and travel tips. Both orthodox and unorthodox views are dealt with in this book, whose emphasis is mostly on the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt. With black and white illustrations, it is recommended for the open-minded reader.

Now in a updated and expanded new edition, John West's The Traveler's Key To Ancient Egypt continues to be the definitive guide to all of the sacred places of ancient Egypt. The ideal traveler's guidebook is enhanced with maps, diagrams, and photos to accompany the history and spiritual significance of Egypt's art, architecture, mythology, religion, and ritual practices. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings, this traveler's guide reveals the hidden meaning of monuments, ancient city sites, as well as new research on the dating of the Sphinx. Travel tips include tour information, Nile cruises, what to bring and what to wear, shopping advice, as well as information on money, hotels, and restaurants. If you are planning a trip to the Land of the Pharaohs, beginning with a thorough perusal of John West's The Traveler's Key To Ancient Egypt!

I found this book to be absolutely fascinating! I have always desired to travel to Egypt and this guide has it All! John A. West is, like all men of genius, Controversial and ahead of his time. His guide is a first-hand experience of Egypt, compiled with resource knowledge and personal perspective. He explains where to get what and what not to take where and where to go when you are there! John A. West makes a historical text of this guidebook and it can fit in most pockets, although it is quite thick with information. I have not had the opportunity, yet, to visit Egypt...however, the great man who introduced me to this treasure had just come to America from Egypt on a tour around the globe. According to him, this book was a terrific source of information during his travels through the Ancient capitol of the world. I thank him, for recommending this guide to me--it has been quite useful in my studies of Anthropology. I cannot wait to test this book, for myself! History students will enjoy this one, as well.

One of the most useful guides to ancient Egyptian sites! A visitor can read the descriptions to the tombs, monuments and temples prior to their visit - but the guide is most helpful during and after being awestruck! The guide is more of a historical, academic narrative to the many treasures of Egypt and is much more prefereable to the shallow descriptions of a traditional travel guide. In lieu of an ancient copy of Baedeker's, "Traveler's Key..." is the next best thing!

If you want a guide book with more than the basic superficial run of the mill tourist info this book is for you.

Lots of maps, tips and explanations of the deeper meaning behind the sites you're visiting.

I'm bringing this book with me on my trip!

I ordered this book with some skepticism as i did not want to be drawm into another dreary account of the significance of the temples. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book very readable and throught provoking. Granted that throughout the book you are subject to the author's bias in interpretation (which he is forthright about) but it is an excellent way to add depth to a visit to the temples and as a starting point for further research if one so desires. Personally for me being a hindu, it was fascinating to discover the similarities between ancient egypt and our own vedic past which I am ashamed to admit I was rather clueless about!!

I used this guide when I travelled to Egypt in '87 and it served me well. I would have missed so many interesting sites if I had to relie on most travel books and tour guides for information on what I could and should see. I continue to use the book for info in my continuing studies on Ancient Egypt. Thank you Anthony West for your tireless efforts to bring to new light the many wonders of this astonishing place.