The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt: 3 Volume Set Review

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(More customer reviews)The most complete source that can be found on the subject of ancient Egypt. It contains everything one would want to know about the civilization in an easy to use fashion. Written by the who's who of egyptology and covering its entire history.
There are a couple problems with the encyclopedia. The first is that most of the pictures are in black and white and of a lower quality. The most frustrating problem is that different aritcles sometimes use different spellings for the same god or person for example, the goddess of Lower Egypt can be found spelled Wadjet, Wadjyt, and in one article she is reffered to as Uto and in the caption to the picture on the same page she is reffered to using Edjo. Each spelling has to be refferenced in the glossary seperately, only showing the the page indicating to that particular spelling and not the rest. This makes it somewhat more difficult to find certain information (familiarize yourself with as many spellings as possible).
These shortcomings are small and aren't enough to lower its score. What remains most improtant is that it is still the best, most up-to-date, and accessible reference work out there (a five all the way).

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Amelia Peabody's Egypt: A Compendium Review

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(More customer reviews)AMELIA PEABODY'S EGYPT: A COMPENDIUM is a collection of articles about Egypt and Victorian culture, 19th century Egyptian history, early archeology, and a comprehensive listing of places and people (both fictional and historical) that are listed in the growing collection of Amelia Peabody historical mysteries. The compendium also includes a huge number of period photographs and etchings that depict Egypt and archeological digs as they existed in the time when Emerson and Amelia were digging, solving mysteries, and confounding the German/Turkish invaders.
Readers looking for a detailed history of Victorian Egypt should probably look elsewhere for their primary material but will want to consider adding the compendium as a secondary source. But fans of the Elizabeth Peters mystery series can hardly go wrong with this fascinating look at the culture and history of Egyptology.
Recommendation--if you're a Peters fan, print out this review and leave it where present-giving significant others will find it. Underline the words 'MUST HAVE.' Alternately, buy it for yourself. The pictures alone are worth the price and then some. It's a treasure.

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The Religion of the Yorubas Review

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(More customer reviews)This important spiritual awakening is necessity for the souls of blacks, in America. Is has a vast amount of history as to how God's power affects nature, man, and spirituality. It sufficiently explains the relationship between Ancient Egypt and the religion of Southern Nigeria, in addition to providing detailed steps, measures, practices, and initiation into the religion. I highly recommend this book to those who seek to grow into a mature relationship with Ifa and their ancesters, etc.

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A comprehensive study of Yoruba, including a survey of the major Orishas, the deified spirits of ancestors and other spirits, the minor Orishas, details of priesthood and worship, the Yoruba conception of human beings, magic in Yorubaland, and the survival of hieroglyphics, emblems and other symbols.A scholarly work.

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The Watkins Dictionary of Magic: Over 3,000 Entries on the World of Magical Formulas, Secret Symbols and the Occult Review

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(More customer reviews)Now this is a very nice dictionary of the Occult. I like it a lot. Just what every good witch will need to help them with their learning. I highly recommend this. Real truth, no lies.

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This second volume in the popular Watkins Dictionary series is filled with fascinating explanations for all things magical, from spells and secret rituals to mythical creatures. More than just handy reference, the many definitions and articles here—including pieces on Kabbalah, Tarot, and Gnosticism—provide a great introduction for neophyte occultists interested in expanding their understanding. But even seasoned readers will benefit from access to quick facts and interesting information, and enjoy dipping into the many biographies of occult figures (both well-known and obscure) as well as myths and folklore from around the world.

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The Complete History of Costume & Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day Review

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(More customer reviews)Always on the lookout for any new costume reference, I was
eager to leaf through this one. Unfortunately, it was nearly
a waste of time.
I say "nearly", because Cosgrave provides quite a few helpful
illustrations, though the objects depicted are often mislabelled and period paintings are seldom fully cited.
In general, I found this volume to be shallow and badly researched. It's full of bad generalizations and misused terminology. Cosgrave makes numerous statements which are at odds with everything I've come to know about historical costume. Seldom are these bald statements backed by sources discussed in the text. She also has a 'thing' about Byzantine costume. Everything worn in any other place or time suffers in her constant comparisons.
One of my favorite absurdities is that her entire discussion of medieval jewelry is a dismissal of the same as "crude". (Though she does allow that the Irish did some nice work. And, of course, it suffers by comparison to Byzantine jewelry.)
Another example: The caption regarding a painting of people in Burgundian Court Dress urges the reader to "Note the Byzantine influences". Huh?!!
In general I'd recommend that the re-enactor or Costume History
student look at the pictures and ignore the text.

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The Complete History of Costume and Fashion is a comprehensive illustrated guide to the history of clothing and fashion. At different times in history, fashionable dress has taken very different forms. From the first fashion style of the Egyptians to the extravagant clothes of the Romans, from the birth of the Dandy to haute couture in the twentieth century, this book chronicles the evolution of style for both males and females from a social, cultural, and historical perspective.Organized by specific time periods, coverage includes:The Ancient Egyptians: Noble garments, wigs and hairpieces, eye make-up, jewelryGreece and Rome: Classical elegance, the Etruscan wardrobe, bright colors, the togaMiddle Ages: Medieval Europe and Byzantine fashion, age of chivalry, trains and sleevesEarly Renaissance: Damask, taffeta, velvet, tight-fitting bodicesSixteenth Century: Flowering of the arts, science and fashion, doublets and ruffs, bodicesSeventeenth Century: Influence of the Baroque, ribbons and embroidery, wigs for menEighteenth Century: Extravagance and excess, masks, buckled shoes, three-cornered hats, hoop skirtsNineteenth Century: Victorian values, crinolines and bustles, artificial hair color, double-breasted jacketsTwentieth Century: The age of diversity, global style, mini-skirts, supermodels, street fashion, new fabrics.

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Obelisk: A History (Publications of the Burndy Library) Review

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(More customer reviews)The ancient Egyptians hardly knew how influential they would be when they put up obelisks. Pyramids are, of course, more impressive, but if you build a pyramid, it is going to stay where you put it no matter what. Obelisks may weigh hundreds of tons, but they are still to some extent portable, and they have been exported, to various world capitals for various reasons. In _Obelisk: A History_ (The MIT Press), historians Brian A. Curran, Anthony Grafton, Pamela O. Long, and Benjamin Weiss tell about the origins of the obelisks, their travels, and what different societies at different times have made of them. It is a comprehensive survey, with many fine illustrations, indicating the universal appeal of these objects. The appeal is also shown by people building new ones, like the Washington Monument, or using obelisks on a mantelpiece for interior design, or using them as part of a New Age healing process. While this book touches on those new uses, it is mostly a fascinating review of the original Egyptian obelisks, mysterious objects that have retained their power over the centuries.
The classic obelisk is made out of one single stone. Any ruler who could cause such massive objects to be carved out of stone, moved from the quarry, and set upright (usually at the entrances of temples) was someone formidable. There are pictures from tombs and temples showing how the Egyptians did this, but details of the process are still mysterious. Plenty of these obelisks wound up in Rome, and were capped with crosses, but the game of borrowing this sort of glory from the ancient stones was practiced before Christianity. That the stones came from pagan sources was a worry, so part of the ceremony of installing an obelisk was to exorcise the stone. The one in St. Peter's had a bishop solemnly climb a ladder, sprinkle it with holy water, and speak a modified baptismal proclamation to it "... that you may be an exorcised stone." The obelisk had been erected in the Vatican Circus around 37 CE by Emperor Nero, but its move in 1586 (and its baptism) were necessitated by the new layout of St. Peter's. The move was a huge engineering feat, a long-running street drama that throngs appreciated. The engineers could not use any hints from their Egyptian or Roman predecessors, for the ways the ancients had moved the obelisks were long since forgotten (similar to how the language carved upon the stones had been forgotten). Domenico Fontana was the engineer of the move, which required, among other things, lowering the stone by the use of forty capstans, each with three or four horses, and all exquisitely coordinated by a trumpet blasts and bells. By the 1870s when London and New York were contemplating setting up separated twin obelisks, "Cleopatra's Needles" (they weren't Cleopatra's) from Heliopolis, the engineering task of moving the needles was still huge, but the tools had changed. In the eighteenth century, the engineers were still using the wood, rope, and iron which would have been familiar to the ancient Egyptians. By the nineteenth century, there were steam engines, steel cable, and hydraulic jacks. In London, the needle produced an outpouring of Christian sentiment, since it was claimed that Moses himself and the toiling Israelites must have looked upon the monument. The needle in New York produced, unsurprisingly, a round of advertising, like the picture of Cleopatra improbably inserting a thread into her enormous needle, and hawking Imperial Diamond sewing needles. There was also the _Grand Obelisk March_, the _Obelisk Waltz_, and the _Obelisk Polka_.
The authors in respective chapters have covered the engineering of moving the obelisks at different times, as well as the role obelisks have played in Egyptology, nationalism, magic, and crankery. There is some repetition within the chapters, excusable in such a broad overview from different authors, but the big book with its many illustrations, is not a heavy academic tome. It is a clear meditation on the symbolic power of architecture, and the fact and fancy that through the centuries people have made of these imposing and intriguing objects.


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Pyramid Review

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(More customer reviews)Who hasn't wondered how the Great Pyramids came to be? In this stunningly illustrated, richly detailed book, David Macaulay skillfully shows one way they could have been built. I had ordered the book for our family's study of ancient Egypt, based on a recommendation in The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Egypt, which raved about it. I was not disappointed. In fact, I was stunned at the detail and care of the drawings and fascinated by the accounts. Although the long descriptions were daunting for my then-first grader, the illustrations caught her eye, and her older siblings dug into it with enthusiasm.

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Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature (17th Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)Comparing this, the 17th edition of the best known and arguably the most authoritative collection of quotations ("familiar," memorable, or just plain quotable--you choose the terminology), to its predecessor the 16th edition, the question arises, should you upgrade? I own both books and have examined them in some detail. I have used the 16th for many years.
The 17th is set in a new typeface which is both slightly narrower and less bold than that of the 16th. The result is a cleaner look to the pages and more white space. The difference in the number of pages--1431 for the new, 1405 for the old--is slight, and a little misleading. In fact the new edition has more entries--"around one hundred" authors are quoted for the first time, and some authors have additional entries. But the text in the 17th actually takes up less room. Its Index, for example, although it has more entries, has only 564 pages to 608 for the 16th. This is accomplished mainly because the narrower type is also shorter, allowing more entries per column.
The question then is, is the smaller type harder to read? Surprisingly, I would say no. The new type is sharper, crisper and, because the pages have a cleaner appearance, is easier on the eyes. I have a strong suspicion that the publishers--whose investment in this most famous and most important reference work is considerable--tested the readability of their new type before adopting it!
Some additional space, according to editor Justin Kaplan, has been gained by the elimination of "several hundred purely mechanical and nonsubstantive cross-references." For example in the 16th on page 247 is given this quotation from Fredrich von Logau: "Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small." A footnote at the bottom of the column refers us to Euripides and George Herbert who wrote something similar. In the 17th that footnote is gone and we have no handy reference to the two earlier instances of von Logau's expression. I think this is a clear loss and not something simply "mechanical and nonsubstantive" as editor Justin Kaplan has it in his Preface to the Seventeenth Edition. (p. viii)
Okay, what about the new authors being quoted and the additional quotations by authors already present in the 16th addition? Do they constitute a significant upgrade?
This is a question difficult to answer partly because only time will tell if the new additions--many of them are so new--will really remain worth remembering. Bill Clinton's rather infamous "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is" surely will be around for a while, but film director Cameron Crowe's "Show me the money!" from his film Jerry Maguire (1997) may not seem so memorable or familiar a generation or two down the road. (Or maybe I have that backwards!) A quick way to address the question of whether the new quotations are worthwhile is to look at the last pages of entries just before the Anonymous section. Because Bartlett's presents its quotations chronologically, from the earliest (the first quote is from the Egyptian The Song of the Harper 2650 B.C.) to the latest (Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog's "It ain't easy bein' green") most of the new entries are near the back. By the way, technically speaking, Kermit the Frog's dictum is older than Cameron Crowe's movie. But that is a quibble.
Of course there are additions that are not from new authors. French mathematician, Pierre de Fermat, who does not appear in the 16th, appears here in the 17th, noting that his "truly marvellous" proof for his famous Last Theorem, will not fit into "this margin." Fermat was rediscovered by Bartlett's no doubt because in 1994 Andrew Wiles finally proved the theorem--taking considerably more than a margin to do it, by the way.
Some other authors appearing for the first time are Mother Teresa, Richard Feynman, Margaret Atwood, Princes Diana, etc. Vladimir Nabokov, Edith Wharton, Gertrude Stein and W. Somerset Maugham are among about two dozen who have had their space extended. Kaplan doesn't mention it, but there are also some deletions from the previous edition. I was particularly disappointed to find that one of the central tenets of the Vedas, from the Chandogya Upanishad, "Thou art that" was eliminated.
Also eliminated (and I think this is to the good) are the Ibid's that sometimes ran all the way down the page in the 16th. Now the title of the work is repeated.
If you don't have this reference, you really should get it or the comparable Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. See my review of that very excellent book for a comparison. Suffice it to say here, if you are an American who prefers a slight emphasis on American authors to an emphasis on English authors, you'll want to get this book.
Bottom line: no serious writer (especially of literature, culture and history) should be without this invaluable and authoritative book. Next to a dictionary it is my most consulted work of reference.

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What People Wore When: A Complete Illustrated History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century for Every Level of Society Review

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(More customer reviews)What People Wore When is a rather recent addition to this particular genre. I am a very visual person and an individual who reads quite a lot of history and biography. I own several books addressing and covering the different clothing worn by different cultures throughout history, and have assess to quite a number of others. I find these books add much spice to my reading and certainly help me visualize those people about whom I am reading. This goes for fiction as well. I am currently reading Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and it is easier for me to see Marianne, Elinor and the others in my mind's eye as I read if I can view their clothing. This edition is one of the better works out at the present time and it is not only a tremendous help but an absolute delight reading.
As the publication descriptions note, this work features the art of Fredrich Hottenroth aned Auguste Rucinte, or is at least based upon their technique and style. These are two of the best of the classic illustrators of the nineteenth-century and their work appears in quite a number of publications, even to this date. Most readers of history will recognize their style when they first open this work. The clothing shown in this book is extremely detailed, both in style and in color. (More about this later).
This book starts with ancient times, beginning with the Egyptians, Assyrians, Etruscans and other civilizations, and goes through the nineteenth century. The clothing features represent each class of society, from the lowest to the highest; military, civilian and religious. Each illustration, and there are hundreds upon hundreds of them, and are accompanied by very insightful explanations and comments. As has been noted, the book is broken down into various sections, i.e. chronology, geographic, and specific era. All are well cross referenced. This work also has sections devoted to accessories such as head gear, hairstyles, footwear, belts, bags, neck wear and more. Both male and female clothing are well represented. All entries are dated as precisely as possible; something I find quite helpful. All sections of the book begin with a brief explanation and a brief history lesson.
While the main emphasis of this work is more or less Euro-centric, most of the other parts of the world are well represented as are specific, little known tribes and cultures. As an example, India is well represented, but not to the depth as say France or Germany. The Native American portion of the book is probably the weakest.
As to what I do not like about the book (which by the way, is not much) starts with the fact that I am quite unfamiliar with clothing jargon, and even though the Editor Melissa Leventon has given us a very nice Glossary to work with, I am still so uneducated in this area that I found even that somewhat wanting. Secondly, the illustrations could quite possibly be a little too stylized, a little too perfect. I have been fortunate enough to have visited many museums in my life, all over the world, and have had the pleasure of seeing many of the items illustrated here. I can assure you that reality can be a bit of a disappointment at times. These small points should not really even be considered as they are more "opinions of taste," i.e. mine, and an obvious gap in my education.
This is an extremely useful book, for my purposes, and it is quite fun to just leaf through it. So many times I caught myself wondering "what were those people thinking," when I viewed some of the fantastic, and I must say, ridiculous items of clothing; but then I would always stop and think about some of the things we have worn in my life time, both men and women, and feel a bit embarrassed for casting mental stones. Gosh, I wonder if I still have my polyester leisure suit with bell-bottoms and orange double knit polyester shirt stashed in the attic somewhere?
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks


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The Romans For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book and the Complete Idiot's Guide to the Roman Empire as well because I wanted a good overview of the history of the Roman Empire. I've always been fascinated with the Roman Empire due to its significance in ancient history and its profound influence over Western history, culture, and society. The author Guy de la Bedoyere does an excellent job of explaining the persons, events, and lessons in a very understandable and informative way.
The book is organized this way:
Part I "Romans -- The Big Boys of the Ancient World"
A brief overview of Rome and how it has influenced us both in Western history and in the modern world now. There is an excellent explanation of ancient civilizations (e.g. Egypt, Mespotamia, Phoenicians, Greeks, Etruscans, Macedonians, etc). The author explains the Roman social classes, the Senate, the position of Emperor, how life was in the city of Rome, and the building up of the Roman army
Part II "Living the Good Life"
The author explains how Rome was the model city, its building projects, the building of good roads, the establishment of trade & commerce, the entertainment, an overview of Roman gods & religion, and the conflict with Christianity

Part III"The Rise of Rome"
Explanation of how Rome was established, the magnificent 8 kings (753-509 BC), the birth of the Roman Republic, overview of the Punic Wars and Macedonian Wars, and the conquering of Spain and Carthage
Part IV"When Romans Ruled the World"
Explanation of the rise of the equestrians, the Gracchi rulers, the age of the generals, the Triumvirate, the fall of the Republic, and the ascension of Augustus (Octavian), the period of chaos after Augustus, and the rise of the 5 Good Emperors
Part V "Throwing the Empire Away"
Explanation of the demise of the Empire under the poor rulership of the latter Emperors, the problems in the 3rd century, the rise of Constantine, the split of the Empire into the East and the West, and the Barbarian invasions.
Part VI "The Part of Tens"
Ten Turning Points in Roman History
Ten Interesting and Occasionally Good Romans
Ten (Mostly) Bad Romans
Ten of Rome's Greatest Enemies
Ten or so Great Roman Places to Visit
I preferred this "Dummies" overview of Rome over the Complete Idiot's Guide because the author explains the events, persons, and historical significance in a very straightforward and clear way. The author of the Complete Idiot's Guide (Eric Nelson) liked to insert anecdotes and quotations along the way, but I found that to be rather distracting.
I was most interested in the overview of the achievements of the good emperors (why they were good and what were their accomplishments in helping to build or stabilize the empire) and the description of the bad emperors (why they were so bad and what did they do to de-stabilize the empire). The author was able to describe the accomplishments of the great emperors in a very concise and clear way. One of my favorite sections in this book is the last portion ("The Part of Tens").
I really enjoyed reading this book and I applaud the author for his clear and insightful explanations. I agree with the endorsement of one of the readers, "A must for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and its impact on world history." If you read this book, you will certainly not be a "dummy" as far as understanding the significance & influence of the Roman Empire. I highly recommend this book!

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Lost Cities of the Ancient World Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a nice read if all you want are brief introductions to various lost civilizations around the world. However, the information contained in the book is just that: brief introductions. If you are curious about what life may have been like in the cities discussed, you will be disappointed.
There are no maps showing the layout of each city or their relation to the surrounding terrain or roads. Though these are often explained in words, the lack of maps makes the text difficult to follow. The number of photos is also limited to one or two for each city. Some cities (like Fijiwara-kyo in Japan) have none. And the existing photos do not necessarily correspond to the text. It is a pain reading about various monuments which have survived without an accompanying photo showing what they look like.


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This book reveals the stories behind some of the world's most impressive fallen metropolises.Joel Levy explores 28 abandoned cities and settlements, each with a unique and fascinating story to tell.

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The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a thinker's dictionary, not a guide to road signs and icons. The editors took the trouble to recruit symbol experts from many different professions, ranging from the paranormal to the skeptical academic. The result is a dictionary with entries that have more depth than the usual "quick hits" that other symbolism dictionaries give you. Chevalier is not afraid to give contradictory or contrasting meanings of icons. (He is not a universalist, but a relativist.) He is usually careful to identify the culture in which a particular meaning is given. I keep this in easy reach on my bookshelf, reminding myself, however, that no dictionary on this subject can possibly cover all the meanings a symbol may have. It is worth having around.

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This is a remarkable dictionary, exploring the vast and various symbols which abound in literature, religion, national identity and are found at the very heart of our dreams and sub-conscious. Compiled by an international team of experts, each entry is given its complete range of interpretations - sexual and spiritual, official and subversive, cultural and religious - to bring meaning and insight to the symbol.

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Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)As an avid fan of ancient history, especially Egyptology I'd been searching for a complete reference work for sometime. I am very impressed with the work done here. I own a hundred plus books on Egypt and Egyptology and this single volume contains as much if not more details in some cases.

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The Ancient Near Eastern World (World in Ancient Times) Review

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(More customer reviews)A mark of the best academic writers is their ability to distil large amounts of learning into chunks digestible for mere mortals - or in this case, younger readers. Professor Podany and Ms McGee have done precisely that for the fascinating ancient Middle East, whence came so many discoveries and ideas that survive from 5,000 years ago to modern times - the wheel, measurement of time in base 60 (seconds and minutes), writing, mathematics...and so the list goes on. I bought this book as an introduction for me and - hopefully - an inspiration for my children. This eminently readable book has yet to be submitted to the second test but has passed the first with flying colours, as I am now not only more knowledgeable but have more insight into the region, as well as being inspired to find out more. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in finding out more about an influential and formative period in our shared history.

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The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, Stelae, Autobiographies, and Poetry; Third Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)This is officially the third edition of a volume of translations originally published in hardcover in 1972, and reprinted with expansions in paperback in 1973. That second version remained in print, with a change of covers (from orange to black, and with different art), for over two decades. Its 352 pages contained contributions by R.O. Faulkner and E.F. Wente, Jr., in addition to those by the editor, William Kelly Simpson. Although less comprehensive than Miriam Lichtheim's three-volume "Ancient Egyptian Literature" (University of California Press), it included material not found in that collection, and the quality and the reliability of the translations was at least equally notable. The only defect was that additions to the original selections had been shoved in at the back, instead of grouped with similar works, according to the original plan of the volume.
There have been several new collections of translations in recent years, notably those by John L. Foster and R.B. Parkinson, and I am inclined to consider this "third edition" among them. The selection of material has been changed, Faulkner's selections have been dropped, and two new contributors, Robert K. Ritner and Vincent A. Tobin, have been added. The volume now runs over 600 pages, and only a small portion of the difference is due to greatly expanded bibliographies and generous layout.
Mainly for the benefit of those who know something about ancient Egypt -- especially those familiar with the older version of the book, or the Lichtheim, Foster, or Parkinson collections -- the contents now include:
Narratives and Tales of Middle Egypt (four stories, all familiar, but now based on the latest textual editions); Late Egyptian Stories (nine stories); Instructions, Lamentations, and Dialogues (thirteen texts); "From the Religious Literature," (selections from the Pyramid Texts, the Coffin Texts, and the Book of the Dead -- the "Negative Confession" from Chapter 125 -- and The Hymn to the Aten, Penitential Hymns, and the "Book of the Heavenly Cow," which is at once a myth, a spell, and funerary text); Songs and Royal Hymns (a cycle in honor of Senwosret III, and "The Love Songs and The Song of the Harper"); Royal Stelae (nine texts of widely varying dates); Autobiographies (four texts); Scribal Traditions ("The Satire on the Trades" and selected school exercises); and, finally, the entirely new section of Demotic Literature, including stories (Setne Khaemuas among them), prophecies, fables, and a late Instruction text ('Onchsheshonqy, including the frame story) (eight items).
The useful set of illustrations surviving from the first edition remains unchanged, but has been relocated toward the front of the volume.
Anyone with a serious interest in Ancient Egypt will want to have this book available. Beginners may find it all a bit overwhelming at first, but the introductory material and concise annotations should be helpful, and, with a very little effort from the reader, the stories, poems, and proverbs should begin to speak for themselves. It is clearly intended for serious adult readers, but I was in High School when I read the old 1923 Erman translation of "The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians," in Blackman's 1927 translation from the German, and this is far easier to digest, as well as a lot more up-to-date.
(Come to think of it, Erman/Blackman was probably in the 1966 paperback edition, as "The Ancient Egyptians: A Sourcebook," for which Simpson supplied an introduction and bibliographic notes -- I suppose I've been reading his work even longer than I remembered.)
The only real complaint I would make is that the cover too closely resembles the later printings of the second edition, which likewise featured a pharaonic bust on a black background; if I hadn't seen the thick spine, I wouldn't have looked at the back, seen "Third Edition" in somewhat subdued lettering, and taken time to read part of Simpson's Introduction, which gave me a reason to buy it.

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Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is at the top of many lists for those wishing to study ancinet Egyptian religion in-depth. Upon reading it, I can see why! This book explores what exactly the ancient Egyptians thought god(s) were, how the gods reacted to humans, and how humans reacted to the gods. Given the unique and often confusing nature of the concept "ntr" or god, this book is very useful indeed.
It is extermely detailed, (though admittedly dry,) and leaves the reader with a good idea of what the Egyptian Gods were like and how they developed throughout the millenia. The beginning also nicely addresses the erroneous notion that the Egyptians were really monotheists from the start, and that only the ignorant common people held polythistic beliefs; a Victorian bias that taints the studies of many ancient cultures. Horning clearly has a great deal of respect for the ancient Egyptian religion, and as a Kemetic pagan, I really appreciate that this book exists in English.

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The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)I cannot praise this book enough. Unfortunately in academic areas, introductions and overviews to various fields, particularly broad histories, tend to reflect the opinions and suppositions of the authors much more than render the actual environment they are working in. This book proves to be a rare exception to this sad fact and sets a standard of scholarship to be emulated by all researchers of the ancient world. Never in egyptology, assyriology, or biblical studies have I found a history that did such a wonderful job of laying out the textual and archaeological finds that scholars base their judgments upon. This is important to me, as I am in disagreement with many scholarly communities about issues of chronology. This book, rather than simply laying out tables and dates, supplements those tables with actual references to the texts and archaeological items that have lead scholars to date things the way they have, pointing out inconsistancies and uncertainties along the way.
After reading this book, I have become convinced that the history of Egypt is not as well known as most books on Egypt would have us believe.
The book is a mammoth undertaking, attempting to chronicle the history of Egypt from prehistory until 311 BC. Introductory sections on the state of research and certainty of chronolology are extremely enlightening. I was particularly impressed with the chapters on prehistory and the naqada culture, in which the archeological evidence and its interpretation were expressely explained to the reader, allowing the reader to agree or disagree with the authors as they wish. My only complaint is that the book, being an anthology of essays by a variety of scholars, shows some inconsistancy in its thoroughness. The chapter on the 18th dynasty reads a little like standard books on the subject, that is, the reader is kept from the evidence to support the author's view and the author seems to have trouble distinguishing his own suppositions from the facts of history, at times appearing a little tendentious.
Overall, this book is the best history of an ancient culture that I have yet read.

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