Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Civilization    3. Egypt    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. To 332 B.C    8. Ancient Egypt    9. Archaeology    10. History / Ancient / Egypt   

Reviews (1)

Easily one of the best nonfiction books i've ever read!
This should almost be required reading in colleges, especially with the current geopolitical situation. It isn't just a translation of Ibn Battuta's book, it's at least 50% background material on the places he visited & the people he met with considerable historical info from before, during, and after Ibn's travels. The writing is excellent and easy to get through. It easily ranks next to Plutarch (in a good translation) and Gibbon for it's grand overview of a largely unknown area of history & the world (at least in the West).
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Subjects:  1. 1304-1377    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Ibn Batuta,    8. Islamic Empire    9. Medieval    10. Middle East - Egypt    11. Travel, Medieval    12. Travelers    13. Egypt    14. History / General    15. History of specific subjects    16. Islam    17. Places & peoples: general interest    18. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    3. Ancient Egypt    4. Archaeological methodology & techniques    5. Archaeological theory    6. Egyptian archaeology   

Reviews (1)

Easy to read, a very good book for spiritual self discovery
The Opening of the Way : A Practiful Guide to the Wisdom Teaching of Ancient Egypt is a refreshing alternative to the more traditional religious literature. It is very well written and easy to follow.Although notadvertised as a "Self Help" book; it definitely falls in thatcategory.Isha Schwaller De Lubicz displays her wealth of Egyptianknowledge by starting out with correlating the body system and organsimpacting man's spiritual system.The stomach representing "TheOpening of Way".The entire book focuses on the spiritual growth ofthe individual using the lessons of the ancient Egyptians. Its void of thereligious rhetoric and concentrates only on the basic of the ancientEgyptian teachings.This is an excellent book for spiritual selfexamination. If you want a step by step on how to make a spiritualtransformation using ancient Egyptian wisdom, this is the book to get.Iam using it as my personal "Good news Book - Bible ". I haveenjoyed it immensely and look forward to reading more of Isha Schwaller DeLubicz works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. General    3. History    4. History: World    5. New Age (Self Help)    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / General    8. Egypt    9. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    10. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography / Political    2. Middle East,History,Saladin,Sultan,Sultan Yusuf,Egypt,Syria,Kings,rulers,biography,Bahîa\',al-Dîin,Ibn,Shaddîad   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Christian saints    5. Early works to 1800    6. General    7. Historical - General    8. History    9. Monasticism and religious orders    10. Monks    11. Palestine    12. Religion    13. To 1500    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    15. BCE to c 500 CE    16. Christian communities & monasticism    17. Early Church    18. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (2)

it's not bad
the pop-ups are nice. Definitely better than the New York pop-up book.

Pop Ups, Wonderful Pop Ups!
A truly wonderful book.As a collector of pop up books, I believe this example to be first rate.The pop ups are imaginative and, if I may, are on the same level of excellence with those of Robert Sabuda. The text reflects the expertise that one might expect of the British Museum. Hugely entertaining. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African    2. Ancient - Egypt    3. Art    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Specimens    7. Toy and movable books    8. Art / History / General    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Africa   

Reviews (7)

Valley of The Kings by Kent Weeks
The BEST book illustrating the wonderful tombs of Egypt!!!
Quality
This is the sort of book you are proud to have in your collection.Everything from the binding to the pictures to the heavy paper and foldout photographs reeks of quality.It's a tome (note the weighty size). Buried
This is the best book on the Valley of the Kings. I own John Romer's and Nicholas Reeves books,which I highly recommend,but this one I like best. This is a must own book if you love the tombs. It won't let you down. Well worth the money. Buy it before it goes out of print. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History: World    2. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    3. Ancient Egypt    4. Egypt    5. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides   

Reviews (1)

Stuart McCoy
This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size.His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1796-1864    2. Artists    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Egypt    9. Historical - British    10. Middle East - General    11. Palestine    12. Roberts, David,    13. Scotland    14. Travel    15. Travelers    16. Africa    17. Israel    18. Journeys    19. Roberts, David    20. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Cleopatra Comes To Life Again, After 2000 Years
This book, I would say, is the best book I have read, (and that's a lot) on the Ptolemaic Period and Egypt's last and fateful Macedonian Queen, who died for her ambition, and desire to restore her country as major power. She was brave enough to challenge the enslaving and powerful force of Rome, and dreamed of an independant Egyptian Empire. But her attempt to achieve her goal cost her her life, and her country.
Great resource for Cleopatra
If pressed, I'd almost say that this is the single best book on Cleopatra.Granted, there are critical biographies, historical accounts, and all sorts of other sources, but this massive book is unique in that it shows nearly every sculpture, coin, or papyrus that can be tied directly to Egypt's last independent ruler.Its fascinating to finally see how Cleopatra presented herself to her subjects -- in traditional Egyptian style for the local population, in Greek style to the Greco-Roman world at large.It's also sobering to see how little remains of her reign.The Romans went after her Greek-style statues, but since they didn't understand Egyptian art, many works of art in that style survive.Besides the impressive visuals, the book includes important essays on many different parts of Cleopatra's reign, life in Alexandria, and the legends that have swirled around Cleopatra after her death. A good comprehensive look at this famous queen, scholarly and readable.But boy, those visuals...! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 332-30 B.C.    2. Ancient - Egypt    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Biography    6. Cleopatra,    7. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    8. Egypt    9. Exhibitions    10. History    11. History - Ancient & Classical    12. History - General    13. Queen of Egypt,    14. Queens    15. d. 30 B.C    16. d. 30 B.C.    17. Archaeology and Ancient History    18. Art / History / General    19. Art and Architecture    20. The Arts: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. African Languages    2. Ancient - Egypt    3. Ancient - General    4. Archaeology    5. Chicago Hawara Papyri    6. Egyptian language    7. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    8. Hawara Site (Egypt)    9. History    10. History: World    11. Manuscripts, Greek (Papyri)    12. Papyri, Demotic    13. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Editorial Review

In 1799, while Napoleon's troops battled the fierce Mamelukes in Egypt's Western Delta, a French engineer discovered a giant granite slab that contained strange symbols and Greek letters. Two Egyptologists, the British-born Thomas Young and the astounding young French linguistic polymath Jean-François Champollion, fought to decipher the confounding script in an epic scientific battle. In 1822 Champollion finally broke through 3,000 years of mystery and revealed the Egyptian demotic and hieroglyphic system of writing--forever changing our view of history in the process.Read more

Reviews (2)

most informative book ever published on the Rosetta Stone
This book was written as an accompanying extract to a British Museum exhibit celebrating the bicentenary of its discovery, and accurately presents the important Rosetta Stone. This is achieved by means ofoutlining the Stone's history, controversy around its discovery and itsdeciphering which gave the key to understanding the hieroglyphs. Using thisas his starting point, the author continues to explore the role, power andimportance of writing in Ancient Egypt as well as its many aspects (such asscribes and the tools used) and its relation to art. Other decipherments(Linear B and Meroitic) are also considered in this book. Readable,enjoyable and very informative, accompanied by black & whiteillustrations, it is recommended for anyone interested in the AncientEgyptian language.

A surprisingly crisp, informative, and lovely catalogue
For those expecting to receive a high quality catalogue of the British Museum's Rosetta Stone exhibition, you will not be disappointed. But as an added bonus, the essays are not pedantic and dull, but eloquent andinformative.They detail not only the finding of the stone and its impacton Egyptology, but also include chapters on the development of the AncientEgyptian language, the scripts, tools used to write, and the ways in whichthese reflect the Egyptian world view.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient Languages - General    3. Antiquities    4. Archaeology    5. Archaeology / Anthropology    6. Egypt    7. Egyptian language    8. General    9. History    10. History: World    11. Writing    12. Egyptian    13. History / General    14. World history   

Reviews (13)

Composite review of two books - 'Act of God' and 'Out of Egypt'
I thought it prudent to do a generic review of the two books so at least they can be compared as they are dealing with the same topics. The two books are `Act of God' by Graham Philips and `Out of Egypt' by Ahmed Osman. They should be read concurrently.
A Thought Provoking Possibility Worth Considering
I read Mr. Osman's book a year ago and I'm still thinking and dreaming about the possibility that Moses and Akhenaten were the same person. If not, Mr. Osman convinced me that they must have known, or heard about each other because they lived during the same period of time, or within a couple hundred years of each other. I suspect that Thera, the volcanic island in the eastern Mediterranean that is presently called Santorini, exploded during Akhenaten's reign unleashing devastating destruction throughout the region in the form of tsunamis, earthquakes, extreme weather changes, droughts, and bacterial/viral epidemics that substantially reduced the population in the region, including Egypt. I lived in Seattle when Mount St. Helens blew up and the environmental devastation caused by the blast was awful to behold. Yet, Thera's blast was magnitudes greater, perhaps greater than the blast that created Crater Lake in southern Oregon or Krakatoa's blast in the South Pacific. The damage caused by the tsunami produced by Thera's explosion must have far exceeded the damage caused by the tsunami that killed so many people in southeast Asia last December. If I'm correct, the priests of Amun-Ra likely seized the "opportunity" to blame Akhenaten and his god, the Aten, for provoking Ammun-Ra's anger thereby assuring the end of what must have been Egypt's Camelot. Small wonder that Egypt retaliated against the Atenists with the biblical oppression enslaving them and forcing them to build Pi-Ramses, the new capitol in the Nile delta that became the base of operations for the Rameside pharaohs of the Nineteenth Dynasty. I also suspect that Egypt emptied its jails and rounded up the Hebrews (many of whom were Atenists), political dissidents, foreigners, the mentally ill, and the incurably sick and expelled them after Pi-Ramses was completed. Moses led Egypt's untouchables out of Egypt into permanent exile.Horemheb, whom many regard as the pharaoh during the oppression,or his successor Ramses I and the priests of Amun-Ra, probably thought they were pretty clever to assign Moses, or Akhenaten, to be the ruler of the nation's untouchables. Many egyptians probably followed them out into the desert hurling insults, stones, and anything else that they could throw at the struggling sweating mass of unarmed people. It must have been quite a scene. I wonder how many americans today would like to do the same thing to other americans with whom they disagree. Like the sixties song says, "When will they ever learn?"
Worth more than just a cursory glance
Before I begin my review, in response to Richard Lewis' review: before you begin laughing at the idea of Atenism being the first monotheistic religion, I suggest you read your history books.Most historians (in fact, I can't think of any who dispute it) agree that Atenism is at the very least the first case of monotheism that can be supported with archeological evidence.If you had read the Hymn to Aten, you would have come upon the lines: "O Sole God, whose powers no other possesseth" and "The Living Aten, there is none other than he." Akhenaten was actually adamant that no other gods be worshipped under his reign (What on earth are your sources that Ma'at was worshipped?).Polytheism slowly began to emerge in Armana when Smenkhare was installed as co-regent as a political compromise.But, certainly at the beginning of his rule, no other gods were worshipped publically in cities controlled by the Pharaoh (Thebes was not under the religious control of the pharaoh after the capital was moved to Akhetaten, now Tell el-Amarna).Even Donald Redford, a well-known critic of Akhenaten, views Atenism as the first monotheistic religion.O and worshipping many gods and goddesses as manifestations of one god while more sophisticated than, say, Greek polytheism, does not qualify as true monotheism.
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Subjects:  1. (Biblical leader)    2. Akhenaton,    3. Ancient - Egypt    4. Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Egypt    6. Exodus, The    7. King of Egypt    8. Moses    9. Mythical Civilizations    10. New Age    11. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    12. New Thought    13. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    14. Ancient Egypt    15. Books of the Old Testament    16. History / Ancient / Egypt   

Subjects:  1. African Languages    2. Ancient - Egypt    3. Grammar    4. History - General History    5. Foreign Language Study-African Languages    6. History / Ancient / Egypt    7. Language Arts & Disciplines-Grammar   

Reviews (4)

Touches the surface...
This book is a great source of information for life in ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphic explanations are offered (from a mundane point of view), clothing and hairstyles are explained, food and artistic cultures are discussed. All of these are explored within sexuality and its expression through Egypt's creation/origination stories. I learned very much about Egypt's pantheon and many questions were answered which I haven't found in other works on Egypt. My only complaint with this beautiful book is the lack of spiritual application. Sexual energy is a necessary part of awakening and enlightenment, and the ancient Egyptians were fully aware of this. The practice, study and employment of sacred sex was a vital piece of their esoteric learning. I was disappointed to find the authors ignoring this aspect completely. After reading the book, the title is misleading. It is "sacred" sexuality only in the sense that the practices studied were originated in the religion of that era.

Considers the sexual life of the ancients
Ruth Antelme and Stephane Rossini's Sacred Sexuality In Ancient Egypt is the first book to explore the sexual philosophy and practices of the ancient Egyptians, considering the sexual life of the ancients and revealing the social and personal influences of sexuality in their society. Over 160 black and white photos pepper this informative survey of the symbolism of erotic images found in temples and on papyri. A truly intriguing study.

Bits-n-Pieces
This is an entertaining and informative book about sex, drugs and rock and roll in ancient Egypt. I am happy to recommend it for amatuer Egyptologists.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Egypt    3. Erotic art    4. General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Human Sexuality    9. Philosophy    10. Sex    11. Sex customs    12. Ancient Egypt    13. Religion / Sexuality & Gender Studies    14. Sex & sexuality    15. Sociology, Social Studies    16. Sexuality   

Reviews (14)

Egyptian Encyclopedia
This book is by no means any sort of scholarly account of Egypt or the like. This is merely like a reference book on Egypt, breifly touching on all the major aspects of this once great society. Everything from the different pharaohs, religion, pyramids, technology and food is described in this book. Every single page in this book has beautiful color pictures on it. One can also consider this an Egyptian picture book of sorts. Although this is not a good scholarly book, it is a good book to have for a quick reference on different aspects of Egypt.

A Comprehensive Guide for Ancient Egypt
While not exactly encompassing, it gives a great overview to the various parts of Ancient Egyptian life and history. Really good if you want to pick a specific part of Ancient Egypt to focus on!

Not good for the classroom
Given the previous high reviews of this book I was hoping that this might replace Grimal's and a cultural atlas in a college history course on Egypt.Sadly it cannot.The essays will interesting and focused still are too general in some areas such as women and religion where it seems that there is no change over time in Egypt.That simply isn't true.In other sections, change is suggested but it isn't explained.Overall too little time is spent on each subject to justify its separation from the whole.A good solid introduction to the basic chronology and traditional history is covered in only 20 pages!I was so disappointed in the book that I'm returning it for a refund.I have specific and general books on Egypt already and this adds nothing to them.On the bright side, if you like a very general book then you should like this one because it is organized by topic and has very nice images and decent maps (not as good as others I've seen however). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient Egypt - History    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Civilization    5. Egypt    6. History    7. History: World    8. Middle East - Egypt    9. To 332 B.C    10. History, World | Ancient   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Antiquities    3. Egypt    4. Excavations (Archaeology)    5. History - General History    6. Sociology   

Reviews (11)

Going back in time.... Great story.
A great book. It presents the major historical facts, surrounding the decipherment of the hieroglyphs in a very active and interesting way.
No Sources
There are no sources sited in this book other than ... ' the staff of many libraries gave us invaluable assistance.."

A terrific read
The reviewer below has really summed up this book well, but it's worth reinforcing those views. This book is full of color, action, excitement, sadness, and lots of information about Egypt, hieroglyphs, 19th-century France, and rivalry in England. Well recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient Languages - General    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Translating & Interpreting   

Editorial Review

When the Muslims captured Jerusalem in 1187, Christian rulers across Europe responded to the call. While they raised funds and mustered armies, priests preached that killing "infidels" was morally proper and that crusaders would be guaranteed a place in heaven. Read more

Reviews (9)

Breathtaking.... a window on the past.
Regan does a fantastic job of bringing the historical characters of the period to life. He is not biased to either side and does a good job of presenting the facts. Although he tries to enter into the minds of his subjects, his efforts enrich rather than detract from the narrative.Regan's talents as a writer are obvious. He thrusts the reader deep into the conflict and leaves him to suffer in suspense as each battle is fought out. I am an Egyptian reader and for once I have found a 'Western' book that ignores the fanaticism and shallowness of our deeply troubled age. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in the crusades, medieval warfare or history in general.

A fair study
I thought this book did a great job of presenting both sides and giving a fair apraisal of the leaders, Richard I and Saladin, of each side in the Third Crusade.Whereas the author does not gloss over the faults of each man, niether does he downplay the strengths of each man.In short, this is a great comparative biography that provides both education and entertainment in an easily accessable format.the author has done a great job of bringing the subject matter to life.

Good Comparisons
This book gives a good overview of two of the most famous leaders in medieval history.It starts comparing them in many aspects like their childhood, how did they reach power and what they did with the power when they got it. It covers the great strategies that each used in battles. In a particular chapter you feel that the two leaders were playing chess with each other. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1137-1193    2. Crusades    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Medieval    7. Military History - Medieval    8. Saladin,    9. Sultan of Egypt and Syria,    10. Third, 1189-1192    11. Richard    12. Saladin   

Reviews (26)

Accurate, clear, and user-friendly
This simple book is the ultimate on basic construction in period costumes for the stage from ancient Egypt to the early 20th century. This goes through history and shows for each look the following: male and female sketch of the final costume, labels that name important parts of the costume, undergarments (where relevant), scale patterns on each piece shown (except some hats), decorative patterns to help with the selection of trims, and instructions on how to wear (when needed). There is also a section on pattern drafting and draping methods, sizing, millinery (hat making), and special costume pieces (hats, wigs, corset sizing, animal faces, masks).
I'm going to quit lending this book out ---
Because it never comes back! Altho not the most advanced book of patterns (draping, other techniques not covered in detail), it is one of the best for basic clothing for the Medieval and Renn. era. It's my handbook for sleeves, necklines, and facings, what I check before I draw and cut.
Great resource for silhouette, but mediocre patterns
I have to agree with the other reviews, this book is great for Halloween costumes, general period silhouette, and for the novice costumer.Instructions are not included, and seam allowance is not included in the patterns.Patterns are 1/8 scale unless otherwise noted (so they must be enlarged), and in sizes S-M-L (But I question the grading).
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Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Costume    3. Design - Textile & Costume    4. History - General    5. Performing Arts    6. Performing Arts/Dance    7. Sewing    8. Theater - General    9. Theatrical Costume    10. Fashion design    11. Theatre, drama