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bargainsleuth's review
3.0
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Interesting look at King Tut's parents, the way they lived, life around them, and the consequences of their decisions. I would have liked illustrations of some of the things described because I'm a visual person, but overall, a satisfying read if a bit dry.
Interesting look at King Tut's parents, the way they lived, life around them, and the consequences of their decisions. I would have liked illustrations of some of the things described because I'm a visual person, but overall, a satisfying read if a bit dry.
marieintheraw's review
4.0
This is the right amount of background of Egypt necessary for me to enjoy it. The authors do a good job of not talking down to their readers, while also being clearly enthusiastic about the subject material. It can be a bit confusing at times; however, it is worth the payoff.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
duchessofreadin's review
Akhenaten and Nefertiti are two names that are synonymous with Egyptian history. While Tutankhamen and his treasures have eclipsed the couple, the heretical pharaoh and his wife have remained, in large, untouched for years. What we know, or thought we knew, is challenged in part through this book.
John and Colleen Darnell dive into the lives of the couple, from before Akhenaten changed his name and moved his capital city, to their treatment of the major gods and goddesses of Egyptian religion. The fundamental shift that occurred during his reign was massive. For decades, it has been the common assumption that Akhenaten did nothing with his military, letting Egypt crumble as he focused on his religious shift. But evidence presented in this book shows otherwise.
The Darnell's take us through Akhenaten's father briefly, and the lineage of Nefertiti (although still somewhat uncertain), and through their reign, into that of their daughter, and eventually that of Tutankhamen.
This was a really interesting read, and I enjoyed it. While I don't agree with all of the theories put forward in this book, I found that the majority of them do make sense, and deserve some deeper dives into study and research. As someone who has loved Egyptian history for many, many years, this book brought some interesting new information forward, changing the way we think about the reign of Akhenaten, and the eventual demise of the religion of Aten itself.
John and Colleen Darnell dive into the lives of the couple, from before Akhenaten changed his name and moved his capital city, to their treatment of the major gods and goddesses of Egyptian religion. The fundamental shift that occurred during his reign was massive. For decades, it has been the common assumption that Akhenaten did nothing with his military, letting Egypt crumble as he focused on his religious shift. But evidence presented in this book shows otherwise.
The Darnell's take us through Akhenaten's father briefly, and the lineage of Nefertiti (although still somewhat uncertain), and through their reign, into that of their daughter, and eventually that of Tutankhamen.
This was a really interesting read, and I enjoyed it. While I don't agree with all of the theories put forward in this book, I found that the majority of them do make sense, and deserve some deeper dives into study and research. As someone who has loved Egyptian history for many, many years, this book brought some interesting new information forward, changing the way we think about the reign of Akhenaten, and the eventual demise of the religion of Aten itself.
kleonard's review
1.0
I love reading about archaeology and what it tells us about the lives of the past, but this was written in such an incredibly dull way I could hardly drag myself to the end. It needed much more editor intervention and polishing, particularly evening out poor transitions, tone, and exposition.
mollyxmiller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
saamunds's review
Egypt's Golden Couple is a non-fiction book about the Pharoah Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti and their reign during the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, around 3000 years ago. Interspersed with fictionalized scenes based on historical interpretations the authors do an excellent job of bring these two people to life, especially since Akhenaten's reign was considered quite heretical and there was a good attempt at erasing him from the list of rulers. I really enjoyed how the authors, themselves archaeologists, are showing that over time there is an increasing amount of finds relating to Akhenaten and Nefertiti which change what we know and believe about their rule, while still noting that the bulk of the historical record is missing. The way they interspersed some fictionalized scenes with the straight history, including explaining the basis for the fictionalizations (tomb art, carvings, figurines, monuments) both humanizes the couple while making for interesting reading. Overall a good addition to any ancient Egyptian readings.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free e-book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free e-book.
lauragill's review
4.0
An insightful book on the religious aspects of the Amarna Period, that interprets the evidence according to ancient Egyptian beliefs rather than modern views. A little dry in places because of it. What brings the rating down a bit is the lack of attention paid to the later Amarna Period, and the complete lack of mention of how badly the workers at Akhetaten were treated.
lduran39's review
3.0
The subject matter was interesting, and I follow Colleen on social media, so I am familiar with their work and credentials. The book ended up dragging on a bit too long; given that there is still a lot about ancient Egypt that is a mystery that may never be solved the book could have been a third shorter. The narratives were interesting introductions to the chapter, but I wish there had been more firsthand accounts of the authors dig seasons. That often times is the most fascinating thing. This book also doesn't quite lend itself to audiobook form. There is a large section in the middle of the book that translates hieroglyphs. Fascinating to be sure, but hard to follow. Overall, an interesting read but dense. Might try picking up the physical book someday.