Howard Carter: Before Tutankhamun (Hardcover)

~ (Author), John H. Taylor (Author), Nicholas Reeves (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

English archeologist Carter's discovery in 1922 of the almost intact tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun has overshadowed his other impressive achievements. This attractive companion volume to an exhibit at the British Museum culminates in the excavation of Tut's tomb but focuses on the determined Egyptologist's 30 years of earlier fieldwork, including his explorations of Thebes and the tombs of Hatsheput and Tuthmosis IV. Taylor, a curator at the British Museum, and former curator Reeves have stitched together letters and diary excerpts of Carter and his contemporaries, augmented by 200 plates (80 in color) featuring museum photographs and Carter's own watercolors and excavation photos. The result is a rare glimpse into the private obsession of a tremendously energetic, irascible, suspicious pragmatist, a self-made man who, by dint of hard work and luck, clawed his way to the top of the Egyptological pyramid.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 201 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810931869
• ISBN-13: 978-0810931862
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,067,487 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perceptions of Howard Carter, August 25, 2007

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

This book is uniquely set up with personal letters to, from and about Carter from his early years through the discovery of Tut's tomb. The letters are chronological and are accompanied by an equal share of color and B & W photographs including many artifacts, digs and finds before Tut, some of Carter's original dig catalog drawings and paintings.

A fascinating "mini" history from the perspective of Carter and, especially, his contemporaries. Easy and fun reading for anyone interested in a "behind the scenes" look at the man who discovered king Tutankhamun's tomb.

Reeves' companion book: The Complete Tutankhamun: The King, the Tomb, the Royal Treasure (King Tut),