Customer Reviews

Who's Who in Egyptian Mythology

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Alphabetically organized, this dictionary lists numerous entries on the Egyptian pantheon of gods, mythology and religious beliefs. It also covers such subjects as mummies, pyramids, magic and calendar. The complete translation of major Egyptian tales (The Tale of Sinuhe, the Tale of the Magicians and the Doomed Prince, among many others) are included in this book. Illustrated in black and white, it is mostly useful for students of Egyptology.

This book was written for the beginner in my opinion; however, it is a pretty good introduction. One thing I like about it are the "complete" myths. Many versions of the stories exist, and often they differ from one another. In this volume, all the existing stories are combined to form one story. But it's impossible to say how complete they actually are as there could still be other versions yet undiscovered.

The size is also nice. A lot of my Egyptian reference books are large and heavy which makes them hard to read in bed. For its size, this book has a lot of information which keeps me from having to lug out the big guns all the time.

I must say though, considering Amazon's $42.83 price tag for a new copy I was expecting a lot more. I bought a good used copy for $12 and I'm glad that's all I paid.

Now in a revised and updated second edition, Who's Who In Egyptian Mythology compiled and co-authored by Antony S. Mercatante and Robert Steven Bianchi presents the Egyptian pantheon and a compendium of related topics, historical personages, and themes pertinent to it in and arranged in an alphabetical order, and an encyclopedia-style, from Akhenaten to Zehuti (another name for Thoth). A most fascinating reference filled cover to cover with condensed myths, history, and archaeological discoveries, Who's Who In Egyptian Mythology is a highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library Egyptology reference collection.

I am always drawing the gods & godesses of Egyptian myth, but there are very few good books that give descriptions and/or pictures of a large amount of their dieties. This book proved to be the largest and best guide to the egyptian myths, folklore, and symbols that I have found. The pictures are OK, but the information is WONDERFUL! I use it all the time.