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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
Love King Tut, love ancient Egypt, love murder mysteries and figured I had a winning combo. I don't know what it was but I just couldn't get into this one and felt disconnected from the characters which was a real bummer because I wanted to love it.
Meh. Interesting crossover with origin family in Downton Abbey though.
I have to agree with most that rated this book poorly. My first James Patterson book, and my last. I thought this book would shed some new evidence or give a new spin on the death of King Tut. Boy, was I mistaken. Patterson just dredges up an old theory that Tut was murdered based on a skull fracture, which seems to have been dismissed by most Eygptologists, and writes a bunch of hypothetical bull crap. Strange that nothing is mentioned that Tut actually was cripple, many canes and walking sticks found in his tomb, yet Patterson has him sprinting around in battle and on chariots. 1/2 way through the book and I am quitting. It's utter nonsense, a waste of good money and I am tossing this paperback in the waste basket to avoid any more confusion out there that perpetuates falsehoods about histroy. Shame Mr. Patterson.
This was a really awesome book. It was completely non-fiction but told in the style of a James Patterson novel. It was a great way to learn about Tut as Patterson gave a voice to all of the 'characters' in the story but by using historically accurate details. I hope he does another non-fiction like this in the future!
This has got to be the most awful book I have read in a long time, if not my entire life. I have never read a James Patterson book, never had an urge. The only reason I picked this one up was because it sounded interesting as an historical novel. He bills this book as a 'non-fiction thriller'. This is complete and utter bulls**t. I was a history major in undergrad. I have read PLENTY of non-fiction books. This is NOT one of them. Patterson is making crap up as he goes along. He's making these real people into fictional characters. It's a huge shame. And there is no 'thriller' anything about thing book. It is written on a child's level. It's very simple, the dialogue is too easy. There are over 100 chapters in this book and it is not that long. Each chapter is about 1-3 pages each. Patterson goes as far as making himself a character in this book. That just shows you how much this books sucks when the author decided to insert himself in it as a self-righteous detective. Patterson's 'theory' on Tut's death is completely absurd and he shows no evidence of his thesis, even though he says he studied the history of the boy King extensively. He basically wrote a historical fiction and then at the end randomly states that this is my thesis on how Tut died, and it's the truth. I solved the mystery of his death. Case closed. When there wasn't even a mystery to begin with. For God's sake skip this piece of crap. It's not worth anyone's time.
While I didn't hate this book, it was only because I actually listened to it on CD, so I only paid attention when it was interesting. The main problem is that it's full of conjecture. The author states that he's going to prove who committed the murder of King Tut, but in the end, when the murderers are revealed, he offers up no evidence to prove his theory. Patterson has told a nice little "fictional" account of King Tut's life and death, Howard Carter's search for fame, and Patterson's own slight interest in the subject. Because I listened on CD, I have no way to know if there are any sources cited, footnotes included, etc., but based on the speculation that runs rampant throughout this book, I'd say he has made up the majority of the story.
If you are interested in reading an actual "non-fiction" book about King Tut's death, try "The Murder of Tutankhamen" by Bob Brier, Ph.D. While his theory has also been proven to be inaccurate, the actual history has been well-researched.
If you are interested in reading an actual "non-fiction" book about King Tut's death, try "The Murder of Tutankhamen" by Bob Brier, Ph.D. While his theory has also been proven to be inaccurate, the actual history has been well-researched.
There are huge speculations surrounding the Murder of King Tutankhamun. Some say he was assassinated. Others contend that he died of a leg infection. Patterson offers his own opinion of the death of King Tut through forensic findings and deciphered relationships. He even goes as far as calling the case "solved."
The story begins before King Tut is even born and lasts decades after his death. Through the story, Patterson skips between the murder plot and the moments of his tomb discovery by Howard Carter and George Herbert.
This is a well written, thoroughly explained story. The lower rating is only for personal opinion. I do not think a book should be marketed as a "case solved" when (again my opinion) there was a lack of evidence to prove Patterson's theory. It is speculation on the part of Patterson mixed with some highly skilled forensic studies.
I honestly did not expect that the case would honestly be "solved" after reading Patterson's novel. So I was well aware when I began to read it that I wasn't about to find out the answer that plagued centuries regarding Tut's demise. Regardless, this novel is worth the read. Patterson's insight is interesting and could be considered the reason for Tut's youthful death. Its up to the reader to decide how much (or little) you can believe.
Shelving this as historical fiction because I just cannot fathom how it could be nonfiction. I'm sure some of it is, like the Carter timeline, but as far as what really happened to Tut? From what I've read, CT scans have proved it much more likely that he died of an infection. It just feels like the recreation of Tut's life was loosely derived from the author's favorite theories, rather than the scientific facts, most of which were published prior to the book's release. That said, there was SOME entertainment value to the story. Enough for me not to DNF, anyway.
Oh my, oh my. I should perhaps preface this review by saying I have been enamoured with Ancient Egypt for years. This book promised to combine that early love, with my adoration of murder mysteries. However, it managed to insult both of them. Patterson failed at creating an air of mystery, and in the process told a very drab story about some of the most colourful characters in history. Not to mention the randomly places inserts of his own writing/research process and lewd descriptions of his wife. Yet, I kept reading till the end as it was an easy read and enjoyable enough - even if only because of how little value it held as both non-fiction and as a novel.