Reviews by doudouce55

Historians have shown that fish has always played a great part in Egyptian life. This book explores in detail the importance of fish, its economic, artistic and religious significance as well as fishing tools, methods and techniques. It also describes and illustrated 20 types of fish known to the Ancient Egyptians. This is an excellent book for archeologists to identify fish bones.

The book presents a variety of Egyptian plants (grains, oils, fruits, vegetables) and animals (cattle, donkeys, camels, cats, dogs, monkeys, birds, bees). The authors cover the origins of agriculture and of the plants, as well as the evidence of those found in Egypt. They also discuss breeds of animals. A concise bibliography is provided for those wishing to consult for further information; this is an excellent reference to have handy.

This book, whose chapters are organized topically, presents important aspects of ancient Egypt. It covers the history, cities, government, geography, language, beliefs, art, architecture, tombs, religion, monotheism, gods, society, marriage, entertainment, dress, jewelry and the Nile river. The authors also discuss the ancient Egyptians' beliefs in life and their conception of death. Common archaeological and Egyptological terms are explained in the glossary. An excellent bibliography is included. A recommended well-written book, it is most useful for those who know little, if nothing, of this civilization and its people.

This book explains the various usage of Ancient Egyptian magic in medicine, hieroglyphs, spells, amulets and religious texts. The author, writing in a clear comprehensive style, demonstrates the importance of magic and its practice in this fascinating ancient civilization. It is an excellent introduction for a beginner's journey into the mystic of Ancient Egyptian magic.

This book covers numerous facets of Ancient Egypt through 16 informative essays written by the leading international Egyptologists : Ian Shaw describes the geography and topography of the country; Jaromir Malek introduces the beginnings of this fascinating civilization as well as its history; Morris Bierbrier deals with the discovery of Ancient Egypt and presents a few of the first Egyptologists (Mariette, Maspero and Amelia Edwards); Janine Bourriau describes life and the ancient Egyptian family; Jac Janssen covers its economic aspects; J. D. Ray explains the principles of kingship and the pharaohs; Kenneth Kitchen tells of Ancient Egypt and its relations with Nubia, Punt, and Asia; Waltraud Guglielmi covers the religious aspects with the many Egyptian gods; Arielle Kozloff lets the reader know more about art and architecture; Cathleen Keller describes the Egyptian monuments; Alan Bowman tells of the invaders and the Ptolemaic dynasty; C. C. Walters covers Coptic Egypt; D. S. Richards explains the impact of Islam; Jane Jakeman describes the modern city of Cairo; Penelope C. Johnstone describes the influence Ancient Egypt has in our modern world; and finally Fayza Haikal describes family life in modern Egypt with accounts of marriage and other activities. This thought-provoking book is primarily aimed for non-specialists and novices.

The legend of Osiris says he was murdered by his brother Seth and resurrected, with the aid of his wife Isis, thus becoming god of the underworld. The author believes he is one of the most important ancient Egyptian deities, with his origins in the Predynastic Era. He attempts to establish a relationship between the cult of Osiris and other African religions. In the first volume, he examines iconographies of Osiris in general and interprets Osiris as an ancestral spirit, judge of the dead, moon god and a bull god. In the second volume, the focus is on the funeral and burial practices, the idea of the Ka, and also the spread of Osiris and Isis to neighbouring lands. Although the book is a little out-dated, it remains nonetheless an excellent source of information regarding the ancient Egyptian god Osiris.

The book receives four full stars, simply because there are other books on Osiris which contain more recent information.

This book is rated the classic reference on Ancient Egyptian building techniques. It covers all aspects of construction from mathematical procedures to the ways the Ancient Egyptians drilled granite and other hard stones. Various buildings and pyramids are picked out as examples for diverse techniques as well as for the purpose of providing insight into how they were built. Although getting out of date with more information having been gathered during the past 60-odd years, it is well worth reading and having as a handy reference.

This book chronicles the goddesses who inspired Ancient Egypt's greatness, for they were important to the poor and the elite alike. The author focuses on Nut, Neith, Nekhbet, Wadjet, Hathor, Mut, and Isis. Some of the goddesses had their origins in the Predynastic whereas others were later political creations. A few of these goddesses, Lesko argues, can be traced through an association with various animals to African clan divinities. These great goddesses were believed to protect and nuture Kemet (the land of Egypt) and its pharaoh. The book has many black and white illustrations accompanying the text. It is a great reference and resource for consultation by students and scholars.

Extremely well translated by American Egyptologist David Lorton, Hornung's book covers the history of Ancient Egypt from its Archaic to its Late Periods. It provides a concise description of important events through historical facts. A thorough yet brief explanation of political, economical, social, literary and artistical changes of Ancient Egyptian society leads to the development of the kingdoms. Black and white photographs, an excellent bibliography and a glossary explaining commonly used Egyptological terms accompany the main body. Recommended for professionals and amateurs.

Strongly influenced by C. G. Jung, founder of analytical psychology, the author argues that Ancient Egypt was a great coherent yet primitive society. Divided in three parts, this book first outlines the main historical events of the Egyptian kingdoms through chronological sequence of the royal dinasties. The author then explains the importance of the dissemination of Egyptian history to the Western world. A refreshing concept, it is a readable and fascinating book for the open-minded.