doudouce55's Books > Book reviews by doudouce55

excellent reference on food

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 08:55 (A review of Food: A Culinary History from Antiquity to the Present (European Perspectives S.))

Interesting moments in our history are those that brought us from eating berries to spending time in fast food eateries. This book explains this most important part of our evolution.

This is a great reference for those who wish to know more about man's food habits at any moment of its history.

The chapter on Egyptian food, written by Italian Egyptologist Edda Bresciani, summarizes what exactly was eaten and drunk in Ancient Egypt, providing much information.

Beautifully researched, and easy to read, this book offers details useful for all to know.


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excellent biography on Ptolemy

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 07:48 (A review of Ptolemy of Egypt)

This study provides great details on this ancient ruler's life.

Although he lived part of it in the shadow of Alexander the Great, much is owed to Ptolemy I Soter : the birth of the Hellenistic state, the creation of the Museum, the addition of the Great Library and the Lighthouse to the city of Alexandria, as well as other extraordinary achievements both in and beyond Egypt.
Alexandria, his capital, became known as an intellectual center.

This book not only tells the story of a leader, but also of his satrapy, his kingship, his family, the wars he fought, and his role during Alexander the Great's reign.

With several black and white pictures, it is a recommended biography of interest to students of Greek and Ptolemaic history.


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for the interested

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 07:37 (A review of An Archaeological Investigation of the Central Sinai, Egypt)

This book is the product of the Combined Prehistoric Expedition's forays in the upper Wadi Girafi Basin. The information which has been yielded on the southern Levantian Timnian Tradition (a pastoral tradition existing between 7000-3000 BP) is invaluable.

Settlement patterns and the adaptive responses of the peoples to their changing environment is examined in graphic detail.

The book is divided into two sections: the survey results and the excavations.
The numerous line-drawings, maps and black and white photos enhance this fantastic scholar book.

This book is highly recommended for all interested students and scholars.


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readable and informative

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 07:17 (A review of Ancient Goddesses: The Myths and the Evidence)

This book offers 10 essays each written by a specialist of the subject covered. Among the prominent authors, Meskell writes on Catalhoyuk, Voyatzis on Greek goddesses, Malone on Malta and Fekri Hassan on Egypt. The latter chapter discusses such important Egyptian goddesses as Hathor, Isis, Nut and Maat.

The debates surrounding the goddesses are presented with the evidence backing up each view and each centered within their particular historical context.

Well illustrated, it is written in a comprehensive style making it readable for all.


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for math lovers

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 07:15 (A review of Mathematics in the Time of the Pharaohs)

Gillings outlines the mathematical practices, procedures and arithmetic techniques used by the Ancient Egyptians. This is done through providing examples of all its aspects : additions, multiplications, fractions, etc.

A standard Egyptological reference work, it is recommended reading for all involved in the subject of mathematics and who have an interest in its evolution and history in Ancient Egypt.


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easy to read, and rather interesting

Posted : 1 year, 5 months ago on 8 June 2007 07:10 (A review of La Signification Astronomique des Pyramides d'Égypte. L'ordre céleste recréé)

Written by a French astrophysician, this book tries to resolve a few problems which the pyramids of Egypt pose.

The author first describes the Ancient Egyptians' world through the sky and their beliefs in it, as well as their conception of the universe, and then goes on to explain the meaning of the pyramids.

This is an easy book to understand, despite the few technical and astronomical terms in the concluding chapters.

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C'est un livre facile à lire malgré les quelques termes astronomiques des derniers chapitres. Ce livre associe une signification astronomique aux pyramides différente de celles connues jusqu'à maintenant.


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easy to read

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 8 June 2007 06:09 (A review of The Secrets of the Sphinx: Restoration Past and Preesent)

Written in both English and Arabic, this book nicely presents the past and present history of the Sphinx.

The author presents his own theory regarding the time of its construction and the source of its weathering. In doing so, he argues strongly against the hypothesis advanced by geologist Robert Schoch and author John Anthony West.

With many photographs, this is a good overview of this famous ancient Egyptian monument, for it is easy to read and understand.


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outdated, but still useful

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 8 June 2007 06:05 (A review of The obelisks of Egypt: Skyscrapers of the past)

The history of each existing obelisk is explained informatively and in vivid detail by the author.

Well written, although out-dated a little, it is a must read for all obelisks buff.


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for the interested

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:56 (A review of Poetry of Ancient Egypt (Documenta Mundi Aegyptiaca 1))

This book, presented in phonetic Ancient Egyptian and its English translation, covers select poetry from the First Dynasty down into Graeco-Roman times.
The examples given include praises of the pharaohs, love lyrics and hymn to the gods. Included are very useful endnotes.

The book is an interesting concept and the only criticism that can be made is that it has no illustrations of the texts mentioned.
All in all, it is recommended for the interested in literature of Ancient Egypt.


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interesting travels

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:55 (A review of Africa Solo: A Journey Across the Sahara, Sahel, and Congo)

Falling under the wide-ranging scope of travel literature, this entertaining and informative book expands on the author's experiences during a journey through the African continent in the late 1980s : he visits the countries of Algeria, the Central African Republic, the Congo and Zaire, as well as the Sahara desert.
Cars, boats, planes and the author's own two feet were his means of locomotion, meeting interesting people along the way from natives to foreigners like himself.
The story he tells is related in a comprehensible style.


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