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A review by wynter
Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz
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.