Riddles of the Sphinx (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

The great Sphinx of Giza, thought to date from 2500BC, has been an object of curiosity since ancient times. In relating the story of archaeological exploration of this giant monument, the author assesses the theories surrounding it and describes the nature of the world in which it was created. This large volume is lavishly illustrated with drawings and photographs, many in colour. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"I strongly recommend this book. A valuable contribution."

- Dr. Rosalie David, Keeper of Egyptology, The Manchester Museum

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 222 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press; Unknown edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814742424
• ISBN-13: 978-0814742426
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,786,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and valuable, June 10, 1999

By	Michael Bulger (Rochester, NY, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are perhaps two ways in which Paul Jordan's "Riddles of the Sphinx" should be viewed. First and foremost, Jordan details everything we know about the Sphinx--its structure, its geology, its place in Egyptian history, the cultural context in which it was made, the place of the Sphinx in Egyptian society thereafter, etc. etc. In this sense, the book is especially valuable in explaining in a highly readable fashion the scientific and historical basis for placing the origin of the Sphinx at about 2500 BCE. You will not find a clearer account of how such scientific reasoning works. At the same time, Jordan is quite fair in admitting where scientists and historians are simply guessing, or where they know nothing at all.

Second, this book provides a fine counterpoint to the recent spate of speculations--carried on by the likes of Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval, John Anthony West, Robert Schoch, Zecharia Sitchin, et. al.--that the Sphinx dates from a far more ancient time and represents evidence of a long-lost civilization predating even ancient Egypt and Sumer. While Jordan argues persuasively against such wild theorizing, and is immeasurably helped by his careful summary of conventional Egyptology, I do wish he had been less offhand in his criticisms of the "alternative Sphinx." Only Schoch is ever mentioned by name or referenced, and then only because he is a trained geologist, and as such is deserving of being "taken seriously." While in some sense this might be correct, and certainly is in an academic context, in a work of popular nonfiction this is downright haughty. Someone, someday needs to address the Hancocks, the Bauvals and the Wests in the same way that, for example, Philip Klass and Robert Sheaffer deal with UFOlogists. In an academic context, it is perhaps appropriate to laugh Graham Hancock out of the room; in the popular arena, his claims need to be addressed specifically.

Nevertheless, as "Riddles of the Sphinx" is the only book I have yet found that does treat the most recent wave of early-Sphinx speculation directly, as of this writing it stands as the most valuable book on the subject for the general reader. It is written well and a surfeit of excellent photographs are included, though they undoubtedly contribute to its rather high price tag.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction about the Sphinx, June 15, 2000

By	Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Despite having a bad choice for a title, the twelve chapters of this book offer excellent information on the Ancient Egyptian sphinx. The author provides accurate description, dimensions, excavations and conditions of the monument. He discusses several theories regarding its construction dates and the reason for its construction. Chapters also present the history of Ancient Egypt from predynastic to Old Kingdom times. Accompanied by excellent black-and white illustrations and color photographs, it is a beautiful study of this monument, recommended to have in a personal library.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good coffee table book!, September 6, 2001

By	D. E. W. Turner "dewt" (Hereford, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

I'm sure Mr. Jordan did not have in mind to write a coffee table book -- he seems to have a specific thought in mind regarding some of the books that have been released over the past 30 to 40 years regarding the mysterious Sphinx. However, the photography and other illustrations make this book one that you would want visitors to see. I enjoyed the writing as well as the photographs, regardless of Mr. Jordan's obvious biases. (Actually, from a professional historian's view, Mr. Jordan's biases are not at all biases.)