The Tutankhamun Affair [Paperback]

Christian Jacq (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

At the beginning of the 20th century, a young unknown pharaoh remained, beneath his golden mask, in the darkness of a tomb deep in the Valley of the Kings. His name was Tutankhamun. He had lain undisturbed for a thousand years until two men, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon, discovered the tomb and wrested him from obscurity in an attempt to solve his riddle. Christian Jacq tells the incredible true story of the strange curse of Tutankhamen which was to cause havoc among its unfortunate victims for the next half-century.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Paris in 1947, Christian Jacq is one of the world's leading Egyptologists. He is the author of many novels on Ancient Egypt, including the bestselling RAMSES series and THE MYSTERIES OF OSIRIS series. His novels have sold more than 27 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 30 languages. Christian Jacq lives in Switzerland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671028553
• ISBN-13: 978-0671028558
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Ancient > Egypt

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tutankhamun Comes to Life After 3000 Years, July 26, 2004

By 

N. D. Harmon "ndharmon" (Baltimore USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tutankhamun Affair (Paperback)

Tutankhamun referred to as the kinglet in the early 1900s was described by some archaeologists as an unimportant pharaoh while others passed him off as mere myth. The pharaoh who slept in darkness and obscurity for 3000 years was still hidden under the sand in the Valley of the Kings. Englishmen Howard Carter along with the financial support of George Herbert, Lord Carnarvon would make Tutankhamun a household name and famous around the world.

It was Professor Percy Newberry who introduced eighteen year old Howard Carter to Egypt in 1894. Carter accompanied Newberry as a painter to sketch artifacts, but Carter found is purpose for living. Without university training he learned the skills of an archaeologist. He also learned to read and write hieroglyphics and the histories of the pharaohs. One pharaoh in particular called to him and that was the undiscovered Tutankhamun.

Lord Carnarvon an adventurer himself and never one to back down from a challenge suffered terrible injuries in an automobile accident. Later, he was advised to spend his winters in Egypt where the climate was more suited to his condition. It was there that he developed a taste for excavation and sought Howard Carter.

For several years Carter searched the sands only to discover trinkets. It was believed that the wealthy amateur excavator Theodore Davis had previously exhausted all the treasures to be found. Davis even claimed to have found a cache of Tutankhamun without actually finding the pharaoh. Although frustrated, Carter pursued what was in his heart and soul. On 4 November 1922, Carter's team came across a staircase leading down into the sand. On 24 November, Carter reached a door with a cartouche reading Tutankhamun. But the discovery would be a joy and a curse.

Carter's discovery produced international interest and excitement beyond measure. Government officials, journalists and visitors from around the globe demanded access to the tomb. The battle ensued. Together Carter and Lord Carnarvon would face the climate of World War I, Egypt's National Party, the Antiquities Service, illicit antiquities dealers, the Abd el Rassul clan, Prime Minister Saad Zaghlul, the Egyptian press, envious Egyptologists, a host of self-important nobles, and thieves. The discovery of the century that should have produced scientific and artistic enthusiasm instead produced pettiness, lies, betrayal, corruption and jealousy.

This incredible true story is brought to life by Christian Jacq.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Christian Jacq has missed the target, July 15, 2005

By 

G.Reed (Somewhere in Utah...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tutankhamun Affair (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of Christian Jacq, and have read and own most of his wonderful novels. So, I was extremely excited when I began to read the Tutankhamun Affair.
I love history, I do, and also Egyptology. But I have to admit, this book very boring. Promised in the description of the book was "passion, betrayal and madness" but the passion was Howard Carter's for Egypt, the betrayal was his grant not getting renewed (exciting, I know) and the madness was the frustration of a grueling excavation. This book needs to stop taking itself so seriously.
Jacq uses way too much repitition, and made the book about three times longer than it should have been, stretching it out to nothingness. I could barely bring myself to finish it.
Christian Jacq is my FAVORITE AUTHOR, but if he is going to keep writing novels like this one, with all that "merging with the light" formula, I will change my opinion. This book followed a very overdone structure, and the characters were very much underdeveloped.
Though this is harsh know that it is criticism, and I have great respect for the author and his PAST achievements.

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book, April 5, 2008

By 

Vivien L. Roberts (goshen indiana) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tutankhamun Affair (Paperback)

This is an interesting book that gave me more insight to the ancient Egyption culture. It arrived in good time and in excellent condition.