Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Archaeology    3. Architecture    4. Architecture, Egyptian    5. Congresses    6. Egyptian revival (Architecture    7. Egyptian revival (Architecture)    8. Egyptian revival (Art)    9. Egyptology    10. History - Specific Styles    11. Reference    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    15. Ancient Egypt    16. Egyptian archaeology   

Reviews (6)

Awesome Book!
Awesome book!! Lots of info regarding gods that are involved in the burrial/afterlife procedures.Really cool, definetly worth a read if you are interested in Egyptian history.

Ian Myles Slater on A Grand Antique
I hate to say a hard word about a volume so many (including myself) have found so intriguing. The Egyptian "Book of the Dead" - a collection of spells, prayers, hymns, and instructions for success in the afterlife - is a famous, and widely misunderstood document, well worth a first-hand examination. However, potential purchasers should be aware that this is a reproduction of a Victorian edition and translation, and that Budge, the editor and translator, was industrious, sincere, talented, and from time to time brilliant, but already a bit out of date in his approach to ancient Egyptian, even when the book appeared in 1895. This Dover reprint is a monument to obsolete scholarship.
Better then you would expect
This book is loaded with knowledge. It has information on the different versions, and types of the book. This version, is quite unique, as even though it is translated, the orignial language, and hiro-glypics was left intact.I would highly recommend this book for anyone that is interested in egyptian ages, but I would not expect just anyone to understand the true nature and power of the book. The book is extremly deep, and a few people might have troubles understanding it, But if you have an open heart and mind, then the nature and power of this book, is limitless. Enjoy it guys! :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Comparative Religion    3. Egypt    4. Future life    5. General    6. Incantations, Egyptian    7. Philosophy    8. Religion    9. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    10. British & Irish history: BCE to c 500 CE    11. History / Ancient / Egypt    12. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (4)

A Plethora of Deities
Richard Wilkinson's latest book (he has previously written "Reading Egyptian Art," "Symbol and Magic in Egyptian Art," and "The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt") presents the reader with an impressive selection of all the major gods and goddesses, and many of the minor ones, of ancient Egypt. Although hardly "complete" in the technical sense (Wilkinson discusses "only" 500 of Egypt's 1500 or so deities, and much more could be said about the ones he does discuss), the book is fairly "complete" in a practical sense: most gods that most readers want to look up, will get at least a brief mention. For example, you will find here the 24 Hours of the Day and Night, 12 (of 21) Gates of the Underworld, all 42 Gods of Judgement, and all 42 (hmm... there's that number again!) Nome Deities. About as good as you can get without a degree
First off, "The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt" is not a book you want to read cover to cover.I love Egyptian mythology, but I really just use it for refrence when I need it.Some of the other sections on the origins of the dieties and such are great information as well. Some controversial figures
As I first starting reading this book, I noticed the dates were very very advanced from any other dates that I had seen with the corrosponding event.Sadly, after that I didn't really take in things said in the book to be of researched value.But it does have useful maps, and pictures of present Egypt to compare with drawings of ancient Egypt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient Archaeology    3. Ancient Religions    4. Antiquities & Archaeology    5. Archaeology    6. Archaeology / Anthropology    7. Egypt    8. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    9. Goddesses, Egyptian    10. Gods, Egyptian    11. Mythology, Egyptian    12. Religion    13. Social Science    14. Sociology    15. Ancient Egypt    16. Ancient Egyptian religion    17. Myths & mythology    18. Social history   

Reviews (3)

classic
This book can be a hard read, but it is brilliant. Of interest to anyone who wants to learn about colonialism, Egypt, and Middle Eastern history in general.

An excellent critical work
This is an excellent critical work that powerfully engages how the Western colonising project unfolds, and it utilizes Egypt as its main centerpiece.Mitchell is a master when it comes to observing how divergent mindsets prevent the West and East from understanding one another. His use of Foucaldian and Derridian paradigms for describing the experience of modern power in Egypt and process of mutual discovery are amazing, entertaining and insightful.As a Western student living in the Middle East, this work compelled me to question my own mindset, lifestyle, and perceptions. This is a very important book that I would recommend to any intellectual who desires to understand colonialism and/or relate to Egypt and the Middle East.

A Derridean Orientalism
Mitchell's writing, as stated in the reviews, takes the scholarship begun by Heidegger and continued by Derrida and Foucault and applies it to his critique of 19th century colonialism.The ideas of deconstruction and its fight to overturn both complete objectivity and the hope of "overcoming the system" lead Mitchell to demonstrate that the West and its objectivity is rooted in as much subjectivity as any other cultural perspective.It is this Western rationale that brought European colonialists to impose their values and hierarchies onto the Oriental system, bringing the power structures of Foucault's discourses to the fore.Whatever conclusion you come to take from the book, and Mitchell's arguments are exceptionally convincing, you will certainly not leave its pages with the same mindset you entered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1798-    2. Civilization    3. Egypt    4. Europe    5. General    6. Relations    7. Sociology    8. Africa    9. African history    10. Development studies    11. International relations    12. Political Science / General   

Reviews (4)

Travelog of Ancient Egypt's modern discovery
This book is not really about Ancient Egypt. It is, as its title suggests, a book about the discovery of Egypt by modern Europeans and research on the civilization through the 1980s.In a lot of ways it reminds me of a National Geographic issue which isn't bad it just isn't highly technical or academic but geared toward a general audience.If it is judged with this audience in mind, it rates as an excellent book.For anyone more serious, it may be amusing and interesting and certainly a nice change in that it attempts to discuss fairly recent research.

Idiosyncratic but good
The rather idiosyncratic section headings in this book are: The disappearance of pharonic Egypt; Travellers in ancient times; Crusaders, monks and sightseers on the banks of the Nile; Treasure hunters and thieves; The era of the scholars; Archaeolgists to the rescue; and Documents. It should be noted that the section on documents does not discuss papyrology or famous documents such as the Egyption mathematical leather roll (EMLR), The story of Sinuhe, or anything else of original documents! Having said that, the book as a whole is richly illustrated and is excellent value for money. Every oppportunity has been taken to reproduce colour photographs and black and white illustrations on the full gamut of subjects, not just confining the scope to the best known images. Most of the expected topics are covered: the Rosetta Stone, hieroglyphics, Tutankhamun, the pyramids, the early Egytologists, something of modern research. There is also a useful chronology at the back, and a few interesting technical articles, eg on the preservation of the mummy of Ramesses II, and gravimetric analysis of the Great Pyramid. Rekindles the interest if you have read one too many dry textual work on Egypt. Recommended.

The Seach For Ancient Egypt (Discoveries Series)
I'd like this book & i want it now ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient - Greece    3. Antiquities    4. Egypt    5. Egyptology    6. Excavations (Archaeology)    7. Geography (Young Adult)    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. Social Science / Archaeology   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. China    3. Commercial policy    4. Economic Conditions    5. Globalization    6. Government policy    7. Investments, Foreign    8. Labor    9. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    10. Middle East - Egypt    11. Political Science    12. Political aspects    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Asian and Asian American Studies    15. Development economics    16. Economics    17. Egypt    18. Labour economics    19. Political Science / Globalization    20. Political Science and International Relations    21. Political economy   

Reviews (7)

Would be a great book for a child interested in Egyptian Hieroglyphics
This would also make a great book for a child who is interested in Egyptian Hieroglyphics.Like I was during a part of my gradeschool years. The book's layout is simple, and would not be overwhelming, like a university level text book on actual Hieroglyphic usage would be.The book is loaded with pictures and guides to how to draw them.Some very basic understanding to the meaning of actual Hieroglyphics are also given.

good word vocabulary
This book does not really teach you how to read and write heiroglyphs very well but it does show many words and how they were used on tombs and ancient manuscripts. This book is probably not the best book for someone who is a beginner and trying to learn how to learn hieroglyphs.

Egyptian Hieroglyphics : How to Read and Write Them
Good graphics, but little on reading, writing, grammar, sythetic or general principles of the language or extracting meaning from actual Egyptian inscriptions which have a string of hieroglyphs.Better for beginners: Karl-Theodor Zauzich. Hieroglyphs without mystery: an introduction to ancient egyptian writing. (translated and adapted for english speaking readers by Ann Macy Roth) University of Texas Press, Austin. 1992. 121 pp.This has actual examples from the Tutankhamun exhibition.After this book, Colier and Manley.Read more

Subjects:  1. African Languages    2. Ancient - Egypt    3. Egyptian language    4. History - General History    5. History: American    6. Writing, Hieroglyphic    7. History / Ancient / Egypt   

Reviews (3)

The story of Zawahiri according to Zayyat
Among various books of Islamic movements that published after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, this book might be the most controversial. The author of this book, Montasser Al-Zayy�t gave a reflection about his comrade Ayman Al-Zawahiri, the second command of the contractor turned religious revivalist Osama Bin Laden. Zayy�t and Zaw�hir� are two Islamists who rose from the underground movement in the post 1967 era. Both Zayy�t and Zaw�hir� are coming from the middle class of Egypt and have gained professional education and career; Zayy�t as a lawyer and Zaw�hir� as a medical doctor. They are bounded as comrade in the Islamic political movement after they met firstly in 1981, the time when they were imprisoned suspected of having conspiracy of assassinating the former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. Although they did not play a part in the assassination of Sadat, they had have to spend three years in prison as the price of their involvement of the cells and their ideology of toppling Egyptian secular government. Three years time in prison is a significant phase of their life that eventually separating their practical vision; Zayy�t chose to be the advocate of da'wah, a society centered movement of Islamism, while Zaw�hir� chose to be a jih�d fighter, a state centered of Islamic activism.
Provides western readers with critically important insights
Also available in a hardcover edition (0745321763, $65.00) The Road To Al-Qaeda: The Story Of Bin Laden's Right-hand Man by Montasser Al-Zayyat is the biography of one of the world's most-wanted terrorists -- Ayman al-Zawahiri. An Egyptian, Ayman was identified as the man to take over the leadership of Al-Qaeda after the death or incapacitation of Osama bin Laden. Since the September 11 attacks, Ayman is also the reputed architect of the Riyadh bombings in Saudi Arabia. Enhanced with an extensive introduction from the distinguished Islamic scholar Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi, The Road To Al-Qaeda provides western readers with critically important insights into the tensions between violent and non-violent factions within radical Islamist movements. No contemporary Islamic Studies collection can be considered complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of The Road To Al-Qaeda.

Essential Reading
By rendering this book into English, Ahmed Fekry and Sarah Nimis have done a tremendous service for anyone seeking more insight into international terrorism than she can get from a talking head on the evening news. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Criminals & Outlaws    4. Egypt    5. Islam - General    6. Islamic fundamentalism    7. Jihad    8. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    9. Political Science    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Religion, Politics & State    12. Terrorists    13. Zawahiri, Ayman    14. Biography: political    15. History / Middle East    16. Islamic studies    17. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (4)

Amazing reference for ancient Egyptian jewelry!
I would encourage anyone to seek out a copy of this book, it is well worth a few extra dollars considering it's out of print.The photos are exceptionally rich in color and detail, all fully labeled with dates and names.As someone looking to recreate jewelry in the style of ancient Egypt, this book has been my top resource on so many levels.It lists the multitude of stones and minerals used by ancient Egyptian craftsmen, along with the tools and techniques they practiced.The contents and sections are very well organized and easy to follow, and it includes a complete index for quick reference.This book is a treasure all its own!

Excellent resource and the best book in its field
I happened upon this book while visiting the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and it is well worth every penny. Copious full color photographs illustrate the many types of jewelry worn by the Ancient Egyptians, both in life andas funerary pieces. Manufacturing techniques are also discussed somewhat,and the Egyptian names for items are also provided. This superb referenceis not only a great replacement for the out-of-print "Jewels of thePharaohs" by Cyril Aldred, it surpasses this earlier work by providingmuch more detail and information.

excellent and well documented study
I have met the author personally when taking a class through a Stanford Univ. graduate program and was impressed with her background and extensive knowledge of Egyptology and jewelery.As a gemologist and lifelong studentof Egyptology, I could recommend this book on its contents alone, but theauthor, herself, is extraordinary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. History - Ancient & Classical    5. Jewelry    6. Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry   

Reviews (3)

This book is both a hoot and a living history
This is not dry reading. The author (or the translator or both) have a droll sense of what people are really like and his descriptions of 'evil-doers' in the priesthood are a riot. In so expressing himself with these observations of human foibles, he manages to make history come alive and his subject suddenly 'more human' thereby. excellent introduction to the lives of Egyptian priests
Religion, an essential key to understanding the pharaonic civilisation,tells of the importance of learning about the Ancient Egyptian priests. Inthis book the author informs the readers about the priestly profession, thenecessity of temples, the religious texts priests had to know, the beliefin magic, the gods and the clergy. Aimed at the general public, this 1957classic originally written in French is finally made available in English,thanks to David Lorton's excellent translation. Widely illustrated in blackand white, this book should be recommended reading for everyone.

Remarkably informative for specialists and laymen alike
I had been studying ancient Egypt for over 20 years before I read Sauneron's book, and I was amazed at how little I knew about the day-to-day lives of the priests who stood near the very center of Egyptian society. The book is well-written, nicely illustrated, and easily read, mixingtechnical titles for the various types of priests with personal vignettesdescribing their lives and how their roles as priests affected and wereaffected thereby.I truly hope that this goes back into print, but willsome future publisher PUH-LEEZE include an index and some maps?! It wasdifficult for me, a specialist, to track down specific bits of data, so itmust surely be very hard on those who don't have a whole library of bookslike this at their disposal.On the plus side, however, thumbing throughthe book to find a particular passage can lead one down some veryinteresting by-ways which might otherwise be overlooked byover-particularism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Egypt    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Priests    7. Ancient Egypt    8. Ancient Egyptian religion   

Reviews (2)

what if he is right?
This book strikes me as the author's own philosophy projected onto ancient Egypt, which is mysterious enough to allow for any interpretation. But what if he is right? What if they really were the advanced scientists and mystics and founders of alchemy he believes? That would make this an important work indeed.

-Bible says, our body's a temple, perhaps not only for God,
This book delves deep and is philosophic in origins. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Controversial Knowledge    3. Egypt    4. History    5. History: World    6. Miscellanea    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Occultism    9. Temple of Luxor (Luxor, Egypt)    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / General    11. Religious buildings   

Reviews (5)

Modern slavery, boy soldiers and African Diaspora
This is a fascinating account of how orphaned Sudanese displaced in struggles with northern miltias, found new lives in the US. The volume is particularly useful because it shows the connection between wars of religion and region, the slaving expeditions conducted by janjaweed Islamic militias, and the politics of recruiting for rebel liberation movements in the south. Short on arms, money, soldiers and international sympathy, the southern Sudanese seek international attention to the problems of post-colonial boundaries and rights. They have learned to use the politics of refugee camps to leverage attention and forces. The fortitude of these survivors is amazing, no matter how complicated the story of their displacement turns out to be.

Full review of Bixler's book
The Lost Boys of Sudan: An American Story of the Refugee Experience, by Mark Bixler.The University of Georgia Press, 2005.Pp. 261.
Interesting Reading
Learned a lot about the area of Sudan and trials that a refugee faces cominginto the US when not working with a host family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    3. Men's Studies - General    4. Middle East - Egypt    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Travelers    8. Modern fiction    9. USA   

Reviews (4)

Great book.
I'm basing my next vacation in the Western desert to include a few oasis. He keeps the gritty details to a comfortable level, which makes the reading pleasant.

On the edge
Here is a splendid recounting of histories (the old and the older) and anecdotes of explorations in the deserts and oases of what was once Roman Egypt. In addition, credible summations of existing research and excavations provide the reader with a distanced understanding of some curious spaces. The images in this book, all black and white, seem both numinous and stunning. The maps present the only bit of chaos with their insect-like sprawlings and unorganized keys. One must scan all names of the key to find the number and location for the places described. Clearer maps would have been lovely, but since it is unlikely I'll need such maps, the existing suffice. The reading is compelling, the topics heterogenous. On the whole, this book provides significant information and pleasure.

Amazing insight into history
This book was amazing! when i read it, not only did it keep me interested, but i couldn't put it down!! the photographs were amazing, and so were the detailed maps! Jackson has done an excellent job with this book, and i can't wait for his next one. his hard work on this book has really paid off as it provides an exquisite insight into the history of Rome and the other places. being the head of the history department is a high post, and i am sure he deserves it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient - Rome    3. Ancient Rome - History    4. Antiquities, Roman    5. Boundaries    6. Egypt    7. Egypt - History    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. Middle East - Egypt    12. Romans    13. History / Ancient / Egypt   

Reviews (4)

I'll buy here again
The service was excellent. The book was despatched the dayI placed my order and arrived the next day. The price was right and the condition of the book was as described or better and the feedback from the supplier was friendly and useful.
accurate information on Ancient Egyptian art
Clearly and thoroughly explained, this book provides an accurate description of Egyptian art from the Early Dynastic Period to the PtolemaicPeriod. The author demonstrates the importance and place of art in AncientEgypt. Beautiful illustrations from tomb paintings, sculptures, coffins,and many objects accompany the text. A definite must for both students andprofessionals.

The most comprehensive book on Egyptian art
I bought this book as a text book for a college class.Not only did I learn so much about the art of this amazing ancient society, I learned about their culture that spanned for thousands of years. This book willdefinitely give you a deep understanding on Egyptian art. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History - Ancient & Classical    4. History - General    5. Art / Commercial / General    6. The Arts: General Issues   

Editorial Review

She was the beloved wife of "heretic king" Akhenaton, who defied ancient custom by practicing monotheism and by elevating Nefertiti far above the role of subservient consort previously played by Egyptian queens. Her image has ravished Western viewers ever since a magnificent limestone bust unearthed at the royal retreat of Amarna went on display in Berlin in 1924. But frustratingly few facts are known about this woman who lived more than three millennia ago. As she did in Read more

Reviews (19)

Egypt's most beautiful queen
One of the most famous faces in the world, and perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of sculpture, is the exquisite bust of the Egyptian queen, Nefertiti, which is currently housed in the Berlin museum.She's also widely regarded as Egypt's most beautiful queen (I wonder what Cleopatra would have to say about that?).But what do we really know about her?Not a lot, as Joyce Tyldesley's book, Nefertiti, shows us.In fact, so little is known that a book that is rather short to begin with takes a lot of side trips talking about her husband and the unusual monotheistic religion that he formed. Thankfully, Tyledesley never claims to have all of the answers.Unfortunately, that didn't stop the publishers from advertising that she did.Yes, bad cover copy once again leads the reader astray, and while the book is interesting enough despite that, I still have to knock it down some for that.Many of the questions that the back cover asks ("Did she ever rule Egypt as king?When did she die?") don't actually have answers within the book.Tyledesley gives her best estimate, and refutes some of the common theories, but she admits that there's no way to tell.
The Mysterious Queen
In the world of Egyptology, Queen Nefertiti is probably the most interesting female figure. Not much is known about the queen making her that much more fascinating. Finding an extended book about Nefertiti is hard to find due to the fact that her history is so vague. This book is probably one of the best about the queen and the book is relatively recent, so the information and new "discoveries" about her are pretty accurate. Not the whole book is about Nefertiti because we don't really know that much about her. The book also describesAmenhotep III and Queen Tiy, the parents of the fascinating Akhenaten. Akhenaten is the other major person besides Nefertiti in the book. He was the husband of Nefertiti as well as the first prominent monotheistic figure in history. One does get the idea of Nefertiti's almost goddess-like presence in Egypt as well as her high status in society often ruling equally beside her husband in the book. Tyldesley does a great job with Nefertiti. This is probably a must have book for Nefertiti as well as Akhenaten.

Can we get some new theories?
All in all, this is a pretty good book, in a textbook-y way.In my opinion, it was mainly a rehash of the popular theories of Nefertiti, and not really anything new and exciting for us to read.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 14th cent. B.C    2. Ancient Egypt - History    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Egypt    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. Middle East - Egypt    11. Nefertiti,    12. Queen of Egypt,    13. Queens    14. Royalty    15. Women    16. Biography: general    17. History / General    18. Nefertiti   

Subjects:  1. 1945-1989    2. Business/Economics    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Egypt    5. Foreign relations    6. General    7. Middle East - Egypt    8. Political Science    9. Politics - Current Events    10. Politics / Current Events    11. United States    12. African history    13. Economics    14. International relations    15. Political Science / General    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Egypt    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. History    5. Middle East - General    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Relations    8. Slavery    9. Sociology    10. Sudan    11. 20th century    12. ASIA    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 1500 to c 1900    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    15. Colonization & independence    16. History / General    17. Nationalism    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain    19. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Calendar    3. Calendars & Diaries    4. Calendars - General History    5. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (19)

The Asiatic Facial Features of the Sphinx........
What an astounding read!Author Peter Tompkins has written the one book that can be called 'must read' for anyone wishing to peel back a bit the veil shrouding the Great Pyramids at the Giza Plateau.It has always been my personal conviction, after watching Discovery documentarys about the pyramids in Egypt, that whoever built this singular remaining 7th Wonder of the World were masters of precision and material construction.Most striking to me is that since these mammoth structures are 40 stories tall, once having a limestone polished and near seamless mantle however many eons ago, and are in no way a product of mass work force - not by conventionary (hauling stones by rope and ramp) means anyway.If these pyramids, the great pyramid in particular, are so exact in their layout, then whoever built them must have left a clue as to who they were, where they came from.It is my absolute belief that the sphinx is the answer for several reasons.#1) In ancient Hindu culture there were (still exist?) statues of a mans body having a lions face.Obviously, the sphinx is simply a reversal of this theme.#2) In the Baghavad Gita, it speaks of a Hindu/Indian king travelling to what is now Cairo, establishing a society there, and accomplishing many spectacular feats.#3) Because whoever built these pyramids of Giza were highly advanced, which should be of no debate anymore, they did in fact leave several clues, the most important of which is the Sphinx.Debate has waged for thousands of years, across the globe, as to who were the pyramid builders?Well, in the face of the Sphinx I think there lies a secret, or rather a blatant hint, that being the high cheek bones of the personified once ruler or king, as well as the wonderful symmetry of the eye structure.Because of this symmetry, emphasising as well the astounding symmetry present in the pyramid itself and its many oddities, I cannot think anything other than that the original builders of the Great Pyramid at Giza where of some Asiatic ancestry.Please allow me to excerpt Tompkins Introductory paragraphs, which beyond everything else making this book the only authoritative scientific examination of the pyramids' origin yet published.Here goes, prepared to be puzzled: (the following is close to verbatim)