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wynter's review against another edition
5.0
- Spoiler! Everyone in this book died. ;)
- Barbara Mertz was a wonderful historian who penned the excellent Amelia Peabody mystery series under the name of Elizabeth Peters. I only mention this because I had no idea who Barbara Mertz was when I was checking the book out of the library. It's a small world indeed.
- I really enjoyed her narrative. Barbara had a certain spunk that made her writing very approachable and just plain entertaining. The historical figures in this book are vibrant individuals. I had no problem keeping track of multiple dynasties, and that says a lot considering there were like three Amenhoteps and about eleven Ramseses. Barbara also didn't hesitate to let us know her feelings towards certain subjects and theories. I absolutely loved her take on Ramses II and his "valour" in battle. Also, I do know how she would have done away with King Tut, if she was an ancient Egyptian dead set against him. Absolutely amazing, hilarious lady!
- She kind of skimmed intermediary periods (and I think justly so, since they are such a mess), and didn't go too deep into very complicated concepts (hence "popular history" title). Barbara also openly admitted to favour some dynasties over others, thus spending more time on certain events, but the book was her playground, so I can hardly hold it against her. For anybody really interested in the later part of Egyptian history, you will not find much info here on Cleopatra and her liaisons. Third intermediate period saw Egypt torn apart by foreign invaders like Lybians, Cushites, etc. The late period marked the rule of Persian empire interlaced with some short-lived attempts by Egyptian pharaohs to return to power. Later on it was conquered by Alexander the Great and ceased to exist as true Egyptian kingdom altogether. Barbara Mertz focused primarily on true Egyptian history, so most of her extensive information ended with the fall of the New Kingdom.
- I'm definitely adding this book to my personal library.
- Barbara Mertz was a wonderful historian who penned the excellent Amelia Peabody mystery series under the name of Elizabeth Peters. I only mention this because I had no idea who Barbara Mertz was when I was checking the book out of the library. It's a small world indeed.
- I really enjoyed her narrative. Barbara had a certain spunk that made her writing very approachable and just plain entertaining. The historical figures in this book are vibrant individuals. I had no problem keeping track of multiple dynasties, and that says a lot considering there were like three Amenhoteps and about eleven Ramseses. Barbara also didn't hesitate to let us know her feelings towards certain subjects and theories. I absolutely loved her take on Ramses II and his "valour" in battle. Also, I do know how she would have done away with King Tut, if she was an ancient Egyptian dead set against him. Absolutely amazing, hilarious lady!
- She kind of skimmed intermediary periods (and I think justly so, since they are such a mess), and didn't go too deep into very complicated concepts (hence "popular history" title). Barbara also openly admitted to favour some dynasties over others, thus spending more time on certain events, but the book was her playground, so I can hardly hold it against her. For anybody really interested in the later part of Egyptian history, you will not find much info here on Cleopatra and her liaisons. Third intermediate period saw Egypt torn apart by foreign invaders like Lybians, Cushites, etc. The late period marked the rule of Persian empire interlaced with some short-lived attempts by Egyptian pharaohs to return to power. Later on it was conquered by Alexander the Great and ceased to exist as true Egyptian kingdom altogether. Barbara Mertz focused primarily on true Egyptian history, so most of her extensive information ended with the fall of the New Kingdom.
- I'm definitely adding this book to my personal library.
mojostdennis's review against another edition
4.0
popsugar challenge 2018: read a book set in a country that fascinates you
renbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot, loved the author's writing style and all the interesting history. I did think there were times when a little more information would have been helpful since I knew basically nothing about Egyptian history going into it, but she mostly did a good job explaining and it's a good book for people who want to learn more
archkeyblader's review against another edition
4.0
A great start for anyone looking to dip into the history of Ancient Egypt. A bit outdated, but still worthwhile.
lupalionessa's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved the authors style of presenting info. A fun way to casually read up on the history of ancient Egypt. I had a hard time keeping focus at some parts but otherwise great!
sjgochenour's review against another edition
5.0
I heartily recommend this book, though I confess I will need to investigate other more recent works to see if any of the theories have been proven/disproven. Aside from giving an overview, this is full of entertaining and thought-provoking anecdotes about archaeological puzzles and interesting tidbits from the historic texts.
That being said, I'm not going to pretend that it isn't wildly satisfying for a fan of Amelia Peabody to read this book and locate all the things that Barbara Mertz worked into the series (the tale of Sinuhe, the butchered skull of the pharaoh Sekenenre, the workmen's village at Deir-el Medina, and of course and always, the innumerable mysteries of Akhenaten.) The author knew what she found fascinating and kept coming back to those questions over a forty-year career.
That being said, I'm not going to pretend that it isn't wildly satisfying for a fan of Amelia Peabody to read this book and locate all the things that Barbara Mertz worked into the series (the tale of Sinuhe, the butchered skull of the pharaoh Sekenenre, the workmen's village at Deir-el Medina, and of course and always, the innumerable mysteries of Akhenaten.) The author knew what she found fascinating and kept coming back to those questions over a forty-year career.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this. It's fun, entertaining and filled with lots of interesting information, never dull or dry.
It's quite obvious that the author knows very well how to engage the readers and now I must go searching for her fictional works :P
Is this a complete history of Ancient Egypt? Nope, and the author tells us that from the beginning, stating that she will go about what interests her, and I had no qualms with it. I enjoyed every minute of it and, as a plus, learn quite a bit. If you have at the less a minimum interest in old archaeology and/or Ancient Egypt, you'll have a good time reading this =D
Lorna Raver's narration is very, very good.
It's quite obvious that the author knows very well how to engage the readers and now I must go searching for her fictional works :P
Is this a complete history of Ancient Egypt? Nope, and the author tells us that from the beginning, stating that she will go about what interests her, and I had no qualms with it. I enjoyed every minute of it and, as a plus, learn quite a bit. If you have at the less a minimum interest in old archaeology and/or Ancient Egypt, you'll have a good time reading this =D
Lorna Raver's narration is very, very good.
jaclyn408's review against another edition
3.0
Too many names, places, etc to keep them straight or have a true understanding
allisonarthur's review against another edition
3.0
This book was not only very informative, it was very laid back. Mertz didn't bore me to death with a million facts, she wrote it as if she was teaching the subject to a class. I literally felt like I was sitting in the back row of Egyptian history 101: I leaned forward and read the good parts eagerly, and on the more boring parts, I kind of zoned out. I feel like I learned a lot, but Mertz only took 2 sentences to go over Cleopatra. If you're looking for a romantic Egyptian history, this is not the book. However, you will learn a lot.