recommended book

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:53 (A review of Statues of the Xxvth and Xxvith Dynasties: Catalogue General of Egyptian Antiquities Nos. 48601-4864)

From the introduction to the last page, this catalog is the witness of this period, qualified as 'purely Egyptian in style.'

The last paragraph of the introduction says a great deal about this most interesting catalog; the author suggests that scholars should show more interest in this particular period.
When reading through this catalog, the reader will wish indeed that scholars show this interest.

Through the well-documented pages appears a rich era. All inscriptions are well explained and all statues described with much detail.
Wonderful photographs complete this recommended book.


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for those interested in Ancient Egypt

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:23 (A review of A Short History of Ancient Egypt: From Predynastic to Roman Times)

This book provides an accurate description of ancient Egyptian history, as it is currently known and recognised.

Dividing chapters in dynasties' history, the author tells about the development of this fascinating culture.

Accompanied by wonderful color photographs and maps, this is an excellent introduction for beginners to the introduction to the history of ancient Egypt, from Predynastic times to the Roman period.


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for children ages 9 to 12

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:22 (A review of The Egyptians (How We Know about))

The book's brief chapters deal with various aspects of life in Ancient Egypt including hunting, trade, farming, and family.
They also describe the society in which the Ancient Egyptians lived, the work involved, the scribes and the pharaohs.
A short overview of Egyptian history and its dynasties is provided. A glossary explaining the terminology is included.

Beautifully illustrated, this is a wonderful introduction to Ancient Egypt for children ages 9 to 12.


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essential reference

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:18 (A review of The Myth of Egypt and Its Hieroglyphs in European Tradition)

Throughout the ages the hieroglyphs of the Ancient Egyptians were a treasure-trove for the imaginative creators of European literature, art, religion and philosophy, in both a practical and theoretical sense. This story of 'the myth of Egypt' is conveyed in a lucid fashion.

From the medieval, the Renaissance and the Baroque eras radiated the misconception of allegorical hieroglyphs and of Ancient Egypt being the reserve of ancient mystic knowledge. Ironically it was this very misguided train of thought which created the foundation from which the science of Egyptology would later arise, starting primarily with the decipherment of the hieroglyphs by Jean-François Champollion (the subject of the final chapter).

The author vividly and accurately reconstructs the historical contexts surrounding these events, making it an essential reference for students and academics alike.


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Ancient Egyptian souls

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 08:11 (A review of Moral Values in Ancient Egypt (Orbis Biblicus Et Orientalis))

The author claims this book (her fourth) is the last one.

Through different Ancient Egyptian texts, she studies the meanders of Ancient Egyptian souls. Tombstone texts reveal their deep meanings and the wish of each to tell that his heart was filled with Maat throughout his life. She begins by explaining that one should be aware of 'terminological muddle', such as for the word wisdom.
She also tells of the arrival of the idea of 'evil' in texts of the Fourth Dynasty. According to her, the pursuit of happiness seems to be linked with social ethics and generosity.

This is an intelligent book to read, which leaves the reader with much to think about, once the book is closed.

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extensively researched

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 07:57 (A review of Giza: The Truth : The People, Politics, and History Behind the World's Most Famous Archaeological Si)

In this book, the authors first present a short history of Giza's archaeological site and then examine several objections raised against the discipline by outsiders, such as Bauval, Hancock, Schoch, West and Dunn.

Plunging into the heart of the controversies, the authors describe the politics behind the site of Giza, the sphinx and the pyramids. The references and appendices included clearly demonstrate that the authors extensively researched the subject.

A book for open-minded readers, who wish to know more about the site and the theories surrounding the Giza Plateau.


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good introduction to hieroglyphs

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 07:54 (A review of Hieroglyphs for Travelers)

Through this wonderful compact book and its exercises, readers are able to identify the names of pharaohs and their queens.
They will actually translate curses and other inscriptions, and will be transported to Egypt with short visits of the pyramids, the sphinx, the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, the Temple of Hatsheptsut at Deir el-Bahri, the Colossi of Memnon, the Luxor and Karnak temples among many other monuments.

In only 120 pages, the authors briefly explain the Ancient Egyptian religion and the most important gods and goddesses. They also deal with hieroglyphs and their spelling and translation, reading numbers, and even a little hieroglyphic grammar.
There is an answer page that provides a key to the various exercises.
A short bibliography and chronology are provided at the end.

With several black and white illustrations, this book is a must for any trip to this fascinating land, whether accompanied by a guide or alone.


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new age beliefs

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 05:55 (A review of Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations, and Rituals)

The book discusses new age beliefs, based on 20 goddesses, including the Egyptian goddesses Hathor and Isis. It allows you to find the right goddess in you. Definitely for those interested in esoteric out-of-the-path research.

If you want to know how far people take Ancient Egyptian religious ideas, this book is for you.


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extensively researched

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 05:54 (A review of The Jews of Egypt: From Rameses II to Emperor Hadrian)

This is the story of the people of Israel in ancient Egypt, from the Ramesside Period to the Ptolemaic times.

The author's extensive research brings us to a world we rarely hear of : the life of common people, which is as important as the life of emperors. This book is more about social changes than religion.

An important contribution for anyone who wishes to know about the reality of everyday life for these peoples in those times.


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excellent book

Posted : 1 year, 2 months ago on 7 June 2007 05:50 (A review of The Prehistory of Egypt)

Archeological remains open up to the author while searching for the antecedents of the great Ancient Egyptian civilization.

From the paleolithic to the neolithic of the fifth millennium BC, she examines these complex and sometimes obscure cultures, which ruled over the land before the known kings, who are often referred to as 'the first ones.' The clear description, both geographical and historical, leaves the reader with questions.

An excellent translation of a very specific, somewhat technical book, that remains easy to comprehend for the interested reader.


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