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jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
Wildly uneven - at times fascinating, at others it's like reading one of those books in the Old Testament which are all "Seth begat Enosh begat Kenan begat Mahalalel". When it slows down and focuses on some of the fascinating individuals - Hemium, Hatshepsut, Akhenaton, Thutmose III - it is riveting.
Barbara Mertz was an archeologist who approaches Egyptian history from that perspective. (She also wrote novels under the nom de plume "Elizabeth Peters"). This means that she can explain how mummies are identified and what they can tell us about the lives of the individuals in a way that is really interesting. It also means that she might decide to explain at great length how pottery shards are dated and classified which is...not so interesting. She has a chatty writing style, prone to dropping lines like "I don't want to get started on this because it makes me lose my temper" or "It's not necessary to remember the names; they will not turn up again in these pages. I just put them in to show how thorough I am."
There's a ton of information packed into this relatively slim book. It gives you an overall history of Egypt as well as drilling down into some of the most interesting periods. There were parts when I would have loved an editor to rein her in but when it's good, it's terrific.
Barbara Mertz was an archeologist who approaches Egyptian history from that perspective. (She also wrote novels under the nom de plume "Elizabeth Peters"). This means that she can explain how mummies are identified and what they can tell us about the lives of the individuals in a way that is really interesting. It also means that she might decide to explain at great length how pottery shards are dated and classified which is...not so interesting. She has a chatty writing style, prone to dropping lines like "I don't want to get started on this because it makes me lose my temper" or "It's not necessary to remember the names; they will not turn up again in these pages. I just put them in to show how thorough I am."
There's a ton of information packed into this relatively slim book. It gives you an overall history of Egypt as well as drilling down into some of the most interesting periods. There were parts when I would have loved an editor to rein her in but when it's good, it's terrific.
sofer_mahir's review against another edition
4.0
This book was delightfully witty in addition to being informative. It was like being made to drink from a firehose, but the fireman holding the hose is very charismatic.
sgabriele2123's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy her humor and irreverence on a subject that can be rather stuffy.
imanb9601's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
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