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A review by seshat59
The History of Ancient Egypt by Bob Brier
4.0
To begin, I had no idea I was subscribing to a lecture series versus a true audiobook, which had its own pros and cons. The major pro is that it’s designed for listeners rather than readers, contrary to a “real” audiobook. Bob Brier is conversational. Yes, his interjections could sometimes annoy, but his repetition of critical information is what any good lecturer knows how to do. Go, Bob. He’s an easy listen.
Overall, this was a delightful survey of Egyptological history. It was a refresher for many things for me while also providing some new tidbits. (Manetho’s claim that Senusret III was six foot six, for example. My skepticism abounds.) It is quite dated for 2019, and some of Brier’s history is surface level stuff (i.e. no real Egyptologist believes Cleopatra died by snake bite). Also, Brier makes several unsubstantiated assertions, particularly about Akhenaten. There’s no definitive proof of a coregency between Amenhotep IV and his father, and Brier makes a big stink that Amenhotep was the only child to not be mentioned in official records prior to his older brother dying. Anyone who knows anything knows how rare it was for any son, heir or not, to be mentioned in official pharaonic records. So when older brother Thutmose died, naturally his younger brother steps up. Brier keeps implying that Akhenaten has some sort defect and that reveals more about Brier than it does about the obscure Akhenaten’s personality and motives. Brier also harps on his outdated theory of Tutankhamen being murdered which DNA evidence from this decade has disproved.
I did not like that serious segments were devoted to looking for veracity in bible stories. True, the Bible is partly a historical document, and I do also subscribe to the theory of the Hyksos being the ancestors of the Jews in Egypt. The Old Testament/Torah was preserved through oral tradition, but obviously, some parts of Jewish history did concern Egypt. Egypt was also the biggest powerhouse located next to ancient Canaan. However... beyond the stories of Joseph and Moses which would be questions brought up by many Egyptological novices, Brier did spend way too much time focusing on the Jews in Babylonian exile. This clearly reflects a bias on Brier’s part.
This was also unfortunately Audible’s only nonfiction book concerning Egyptology, and I hope they expand their listening options. But I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in my favorite historical culture, and I must do it more often. I miss it.
Overall, this was a delightful survey of Egyptological history. It was a refresher for many things for me while also providing some new tidbits. (Manetho’s claim that Senusret III was six foot six, for example. My skepticism abounds.) It is quite dated for 2019, and some of Brier’s history is surface level stuff (i.e. no real Egyptologist believes Cleopatra died by snake bite). Also, Brier makes several unsubstantiated assertions, particularly about Akhenaten. There’s no definitive proof of a coregency between Amenhotep IV and his father, and Brier makes a big stink that Amenhotep was the only child to not be mentioned in official records prior to his older brother dying. Anyone who knows anything knows how rare it was for any son, heir or not, to be mentioned in official pharaonic records. So when older brother Thutmose died, naturally his younger brother steps up. Brier keeps implying that Akhenaten has some sort defect and that reveals more about Brier than it does about the obscure Akhenaten’s personality and motives. Brier also harps on his outdated theory of Tutankhamen being murdered which DNA evidence from this decade has disproved.
I did not like that serious segments were devoted to looking for veracity in bible stories. True, the Bible is partly a historical document, and I do also subscribe to the theory of the Hyksos being the ancestors of the Jews in Egypt. The Old Testament/Torah was preserved through oral tradition, but obviously, some parts of Jewish history did concern Egypt. Egypt was also the biggest powerhouse located next to ancient Canaan. However... beyond the stories of Joseph and Moses which would be questions brought up by many Egyptological novices, Brier did spend way too much time focusing on the Jews in Babylonian exile. This clearly reflects a bias on Brier’s part.
This was also unfortunately Audible’s only nonfiction book concerning Egyptology, and I hope they expand their listening options. But I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in my favorite historical culture, and I must do it more often. I miss it.