AUTHOR LISTING

Note from Francesca : The history of each existing obelisk is explained informatively and in vivid detail by the author. Well written, although out-dated a little, it is a must read for all obelisks buff.

De electre.com : Trente siècles d'histoire Égyptienne, les crues du Nil, la construction des pyramides, le secret des hiéroglyphes, voyage dans le monde den-bas, magie et médecine, des momies pour l'éternité, la condition de la femme, le pouvoir des scribes, la première grève de l'histoire, sous la protection du cobra furieux.

From Amazon.com : This work invites readers to reexamine traditional explanations about how and why Greek philosophy emerged on the West Coast of Turkey and Eastern Greek Islands in the 6th Century B.C.E. In particular the work explores the role that architectural technologies played in the emergence of philosophy. In general this aspect of the origins of philosophy has not been fully appreciated.

From Amazon.com : Queen Hatshepsut plans to disband much of her frontier army and transform its fortresses into storehouses. The arrival of Amonked'-the Queen's cousin and Storekeeper of Amon'at the city of Buhen convinces an uneasy Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police that the whisperings that have alarmed the populace are true. Then, a day after Amonked inspects the local garrison and departs, a body is found stabbed in the house where he and his party rested. The slain man was a local prince, beloved by his people, so Bak travels upriver to join the caravan and investigate. Though nothing tangible connects Amonked and his people to the heinous act, Bak's inquiry soon sheds a disturbing light on an inexplicable crime. For the clues suggest that twisted honor and vengeance lie at its root...and a shocking secret, protected by murder and silence, that could itself silence the truth-'and Bak'-for eternity.

From Amazon.com : Lt. Bak, Commander of the Medjay police, has been assigned to search all Nile River traffic for contraband, for rumors are rife of valuable elephant tusks passing unlawfully from the south to the north. But greed has spawned murder. And loyal Bak could be the next victim, as he heads relentlessly toward a grim confrontation, a shocking revelation, and very possible doom in the realm of the dead.

From Amazon.com : Evil runs rampant through the grand abode of Djehuty, the much despised governor of Abu. Four deaths - each exactly ten days apart-have occurred in and around the powerful functionary's premises: an expert swimmer drowned a spearman accidentally impaled on his own weapon a sergeant of the guard found with a dagger through his breast, a young officer trampled by a horse gone mad. Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police fears for his own life and for the safety of his men. But the vizier has requested that this deadly puzzle be investigated, and it is Bak's duty to serve. Could this unstaunched violence be the retribution of the gods for a long-past, yet still-remembered tragedy? Bak is not sure who will ultimately be revealed as slayer-be he human or divine-when a disturbing cache of dark, well-protected secrets lies open at his feet. But there is one thing of which the dedicated policeman can be certain: if a killer is true to his pattern, another will die this day.

From Amazon.com : In the year 1464 B.C., during the reign of the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, Lt. Bak is commander of the Medjay police in the frontier fortress city of Buhen. Assigned to oversee the honor guard accompanying a golden idol of the god Amon on its journey up the Nile, Bak inadvertently stumbles upon the slain corpse of a soldier. And unless the loyal and able policeman can unravel the tangled mystery surrounding the murder, more deaths will surely follow, leading to far greater crimes that could imperil an empire.

From the publisher's website : The Edwardian era was one of spectacular archaeological discoveries in Egypt, with that of Tutankhamun the most sensational of all. Throughout this period, British egyptologist Arthur Weigall was involved with the exploration of the antiquities of Luxor - particularly in the Theban necropolis and the Valley of the Kings. His enthusiasm and energy played a large part in popularizing ancient Egypt at a time when Luxor was becoming a fashionable winter resort for the elite of Europe and the US. This biography by the granddaughter of Weigall captures his great passion for both ancient and modern Egypt, and includes material from previously unseen private sources.

From the publisher's website : This book focuses on the story of Osiris as it is recorded in Egyptian texts and memorialized on the walls of temples and tombs. Since such a focus is attainable only through Egyptian representational systems, especially hieroglyphs, the book also engages broader questions of writing and visual representation: decipherment, controversies about the "ideograph," and the relation between visual images and writing.
This analysis of Egyptian representation leads to a consideration of the phallic body and the problem of multiplicity in Egyptian religion, two nets of Egyptian discourse that, though integrated into the writing system itself, reach toward broader Egyptian discourses of gender, subjectivity, piety, and cosmogenesis. The concluding chapter considers, in specific terms, the question of a persisting Egyptian legacy in the West, from the Greeks and Israelites to Augustine, Hegel, and Lacan.

Note from Francesca : Divided in two parts, this book chronicles the civilization of Ancient Egypt. The first part focuses on the history of Egypt from the earliest times to the Roman period. The second part takes the reader along the country and provides a detailed map of each region. The book fails as an atlas : the author provides too much information about the various aspects of the Egyptian daily life and society, and the maps have no stability. Offering a helpful glossary, this book, for children ages 9 to 12, has many illustrations regarding the Egyptian civilization.

From AEB : The contribution of Egypt to modern knowledge and civilization is less direct than that of Greece and Rome, but nonetheless many aspects of everyday life owe their origin to Egyptian influence. One outstanding legacy is the calendar, originally of 365 days, later corrected to 365¼. From Egypt came the first alphabet, and the papyrus on which to write it. In science and medicine the Greeks built on the groundwork of Egyptian experience, and the values and achievements of the early inhabitants of the Nile valley can also be traced in this book in the fields of law, diplomacy, arts, literature, and the religious life of both the Christian and the Islamic church.

Note from Francesca : This dictionary not only lists famous Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses (for instance Hathor, Isis, Osiris and Geb), but also foreign and lesser-known deities, from Aken to Yamm. It presents all those worshipped at some point in Ancient Egyptian history. The information of each god and goddess given include the deity's attributes, such as sceptres, crowns and animal form. Illustrated with a few black and white illustrations, it is a most useful reference for students of Egyptology and mythology.

De alapage.com : Ce livre ... relate les mythes où s'inscrivent des épisodes du destin des dieux - le meurtre d'Osiris et la vengeance d'Horus, Isis et les sept scorpions, Sekhmet et le massacre virtuel de l'humanité. Il donne enfin leur place aux récits fantastiques, tels ceux du Marin naufragé et de l'Île enchantée. Reflet du profane comme du sacré, quête du savoir ultime, plongée dans l'imaginaire, les mythes et légendes de l'Égypte ancienne fondent la conception du monde que s'est donnée la société qui les a engendrés.
Note from Francesca : Written by one of the most prominent and eminent Egyptologists of the modern era, this book covers, amongst others, creation myths and relates in vivid and colourful detail the myths of Horus and Seth, Isis and Osiris, together with the ever-popular myth of kingship, the myth of cataclysm, and Isis and the scorpions. The book examines closely renowned Ancient Egyptian books, such as The Book of Am-Duat, the Book of Caverns, and The Book of Gates, with the express aim of providing the visual and textual backdrop to the myths. Imhotep, the architect of the Third Dynasty pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, features prominently in the mythology of ancient Egypt. Hart captures eloquently the life and history of Imhotep, as well as the construction and perpetuation of his divinity status in later times. These historical and mythological perspectives make, along with amusing stories such as The Shipwrecked Sailor and The Tale of Two Brothers, for absorbing and informative reading.

From the book cover : The book discusses the pyramids up to the Old Kingdom.

From AEB : Addressing the general public, the author deals with the following subjects : ruling queens; palaces and harems; love and marriage; motherhood and children; dress and adornment; women in society; working women; religious life; death and the afterlife; art and beauty.

De alapage.com : Les sables du désert Égyptien viennent, une fois encore, livrer leurs précieux trésors et certainement la plus importante découverte archéologique depuis celle du tombeau de Toutankhamon. Des centaines de momies de l'époque gréco-romaine viennent d'être mises à jour dans l'oasis de Bahariya, ressuscitant ainsi tout un peuple endormi depuis près de 2000 ans. Couvertes d'or, elles sont les témoins oubliés d'une dune histoire glorieuse et prospère. Une exploration retracée en exclusivité par le docteur Zahi Hawass qui a dirigé les fouilles.

Note from Francesca : Written in both English and Arabic, this book nicely presents the past and present history of the Sphinx. The author presents his own theory regarding the time of its construction and the source of its weathering. In doing so, he argues strongly against the hypothesis advanced by geologist Robert Schoch and author John Anthony West. With many photographs, this is a good overview of this famous ancient Egyptian monument, for it is easy to read and understand.

Note from Francesca : This book contains a list of publications which deal with the prehistory and early dynastic period of Egypt and Northern Sudan. The indexed books, articles and dissertations relate to history, art, geology, flora, fauna and many more subjects. Alphabetically listed by the author's name, the reader will find references written in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian, as well as Chinese, Arab, Russian, Japanese and Polish. New additions to the book can be found in the Archeo-Nil journal. Are included topographical and thematic indexes, as well as a map which facilitate finding the area of interest. This is an excellent book of references both for the student and researcher to own.

From the book cover : The golden face of Tutankhamun was garlanded with fresh flowers, exquisitely preserved in his innermost coffin after 3000 years. In the tomb were 116 baskets, most containing offerings of seeds and foods, left there for use in the afterlife. Wine jars and alabaster perfum vases contained products fit for a king; thrones and stools were made of ebony and cedar, while model ships were equipped with linen sails. A delightful model granary was found full to the brim with seeds (emmer wheat, fenugreek and chick-pea) and brooms of reed and grass used to tidy up after the burial remained intact. All these were ignored by thieves in their rush for the pharaoh's gold, yet these are true botanical treasures. With detailed descriptions of the plant species found in the tomb, and extended discussion of their uses, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in the plants of ancient Egypt.

De electre.com : [Ce livre] est le seul qui s'addresse au mort comme un objet d'adoration. Il s'agit d'un hymne pour le mort, et possiblement récité aux funérailles. L'auteur présente ce texte en 18 documents, parmi lesquels le Papyrus Leyden T 32.

De alapage.com : De l'art d'accommoder les momies à la recherche des sources du Nil, de la vie, parmi les hommes, des animaux sacrés à la geste des pharaons, des coutumes quotidiennes aux rites religieux et oraculaires, Hérodote conte l'Égypte à ses compatriotes et les invite, et nous avec eux, à voyager dans le temps et la culture autant que dans l'espace. A l'inventaire truculent des merveilles et des différences se mêle une réflexion sur les origines des dieux, des cultes et de la civilisation, sur l'identité même de la culture grecque que l'on redécouvre au miroir du pays des Pyramides.

From AEB : Ce livre raconte l'histoire d'Abou Simbel et autres temples Nubiens.

De electre.com : Puisant dans leur richissime collection personnelle, les auteurs ont reconstitué tout le parcours du Nil, d'Alexandrie à Abou Simbel, site par site, à travers deux siècles d'images, des gravures et croquis de l'expédition de Bonaparte en 1788 aux clichés les plus récents, pris par leurs soins.
Note de Corinne Smeesters : Le sous-titre 'Nouvelle description de l'Égypte', est un peu présomptueux mais les photographies sont superbes.

De alapage.com : Qui n'a entendu parler de ce temple souterrain colossal qui, en 1960, fut sauvé des eaux du barrage Nasser en Nubie par l'Unesco et des équipes internationales ? Découpé dans la montagne et remonté de 60 mètres, ce chef-d'oeuvre du règne de Ramsès II contient un véritable résumé de l'enseignement de la civilisation Égyptienne. En effet, à l'instar des constructeurs des cathédrales et bien avant eux, les bâtisseurs des grands temples de l'ancienne Égypte façonnèrent dans la pierre un langage secret propre à la religion des prêtres de ce temps. Pour la première fois, voici ce message décrypté par l'interprétation de la symbolique des deux temples d'Abou Simbel - celui de Ramsès II, image de l'énergie masculine d'Amon Ré, et celui dédié à son épouse préférée, Nefertari, reflet de l'énergie féminine d'Isis. Veillés par des statues de 20 mètres de hauteur taillées dans la falaise, assises à l'extérieur et debout à l'intérieur, colorés par les innombrables fresques géantes qui représentent le panthéon de la mythologie Égyptienne, ces temples nous livrent ici leur secret : ils font la charnière entre le polythéisme du passé et le monothéisme émergeant.

From AEB : This book serves as an introductory grammar for classroom and self-instruction as well as a reference grammar for students in their early stages with the Egyptian language. Each lesson is provided with a vocabulary and an exercise.

From the book cover : Semitic words and names appear in unprecedented numbers in texts of the New Kingdom, the period when the Egyptian empire extended into Syria-Palestine. [Here, the author] provides a comprehensive account of these words - their likely origins, their contexts, and their implications for the study of Egyptian and Semitic linguistics [...]. He proposes new etymologies and translations and discusses phonological, morphological, and semantic factors that figure in the use of these words.

Note from Francesca : The author examines the tombs of private persons, and describes their layout, decoration, contents and structure. Eleven Theban tombs (TT52, TT55, TT56, TT69, TT96, TT100, TT49, TT192, TT409, TT1 and TT359) are beautifully presented and illustrated. Heavily updated from its original German edition, this first English translation is a wonderful addition to public and private libraries. This book should be required reading for art lovers, Egyptophiles and travelers alike.

From the publisher's website : A flint hand-ax 250,000 years old ... a kiln ca 3500 B.C. in operation... a water clock ca 200 B.C. ... a complex crane used by Roman builders ... these and other inventions are described with a focus on Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, with side at ancient China, Inida and pre-Columbian America.

From the book cover : [This book] covers three centuries from the invasion of Egypt by Alexander the Great to the death of Cleopatra VII (320-30 BC). From their base in Egypt, the Ptolemies created the most powerful empire in the eastern Mediterranean, extending from the Great Syrte in Libya to Palestine, Syria, Cyprus and Asia Minor. From 200 BC the Ptolemies gradually lost their wider empire as a result of conflict within the growing power of Rome. This book is a comprehensive survey of the political history of the period. It shows how the Ptolemies developed the kingship ideals of the Egyptian Pharaohs to create a new ideal of Hellenistic monarchy. Hoelbl draws on both Greek and demotic texts and inscriptions, as well as archaeological data and the artistic record. There has been no general survey of Ptolemaic Egypt since J. P. Mahaffy's a century ago, and this book will be a basic resource for students of a period that is attracting increasing attention not least because of the wealth of evidence from papyrus finds in both Greek and demotic.

Note from Francesca : The meaning of this tale has been debated for centuries. It follows the rites of passage of a young shepherd boy who rejects the overtures of an older woman and who later becomes king, along with the trials and tribulations thereof. Apart from examining this tale, the author also constructs a theoretical model for the study of other ancient narratives. The author provides an interesting concept of explaining the 'oldest fairy tale in the world'. The background history of the tale is provided, then followed by the author's extensive explanation of the story. It has an excellent bibliography; recommended for those with an interest in Egyptian literature.

From AEB : This volume is divided into Pharaonic textiles, and Mediaeval Coptic textiles. Because of a fundamental difference in the fabrication of the textiles - the latter being more complex - the presentation of the technical information in the two catalogues is not identical.

Note from Francesca : Amenhotep IV (later known as Akhenaten) reigned during the Eighteenth Dynasty. He defied tradition and centered worship upon one deity, the sun god Aten. In this book, the author provides a concise, accurate and very readable account of his reign. A summary is also provided of the nineteenth-century scholars (Lepsius and Champollion to name a few) who discovered and first interpreted the ruins of Akhenaten. The author gives a religious background of Akhenaten and his father's beliefs; he also discusses the founding of the city of Akhenaten, the belief in monotheism and the processes by which Tutankhaten becomes Tutankhamen the successor. The book offers an excellent bibliography for further consultation of the subject. It is one of the best books on the subject of this heretic pharaoh. Recommended reading for all.

Note from Francesca : Egyptologists tend to focus mostly on the Book of the Dead, ignoring lesser known texts to a large degree. Here the author offers a concise and detailed summary and explanation of other ancient Egyptian texts. Included here are the Pyramid Texts, the Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead, the Books of Breathing, the Amduat, the Spell of the Twelve Caves, the Book of Gates, the Book of Caverns, the Book of the Earth, the Book of Nut, the Book of the Day, the Book of the Night, the Litany of Re, the Book of the Heavenly Cow and the Book of Traversing Eternity. The glossary and extensive bibliography are useful. Well translated by David Lorton, illustrated in black and white, this is a recommended book for all searching for details on important Egyptian texts.

Note from Francesca : In this book, the author introduces the basic concepts of the gods. He first defines the terminology for the word 'god' and then explains the names of the Ancient Egyptian gods as well as their characteristics. He provides an excellent historical overview of the gods. A useful glossary of gods is included, along with a great bibliography for further reading. It is a recommended necessary reading for those studying Ancient Egyptian religion.

De alapage.com : [Ce livre] propose une synthèse magistrale des plus récentes connaissances historiques sur l'Égypte ancienne. L'ouvrage dresse un tableau complet de l'évolution de ce pays, du quatrième millénaire avant Jésus-Christ jusqu'au début de l'ère chrétienne. Remettant en cause les périodisations classiques, [l'auteur] dessine en cinq grandes époques les principales lignes de force de cette extraordinaire civilisation : évolutions politique, économique, internationale, sociale et culturelle sont appréhendées avec une rare clarté. Ouvrage de référence, Lecture de l'histoire Égyptienne est indispensable à tous ceux qui s'intéressent à l'Égyptologie ou travaillent dans ce domaine. Sa brieveté et ses remarquables qualités synthétiques font également de cet ouvrage une introduction idéale pour l'amateur.
Note from Francesca : Extremely well translated by American Egyptologist David Lorton, Hornung's book covers the history of Ancient Egypt from its Archaic to its Late Periods. It provides a concise description of important events through historical facts. A thorough yet brief explanation of political, economical, social, literary and artistical changes of Ancient Egyptian society leads to the development of the kingdoms. Black and white photographs, an excellent bibliography and a glossary explaining commonly used Egyptological terms accompany the main body. Recommended for professionals and amateurs.

From AEB : Writings that convey the richness, variety, and fundamental character of the ancient Egyptian imagination : Word and Image; Time and Eternity; The Hereafter; The Temple as Cosmos; Body and Soul; and much more.
De alapage.com : Ce livre indique en douze chapitres les clés qui permettront de comprendre pleinement le monde de l'ancienne Égypte. Il ne fait pas accéder directement à l'histoire des pharaons ou aux représentations d'un univers (fresques, sculptures, monuments), mais à l'esprit d'un peuple qui, par son étonnant imaginaire, a créé l'une des plus fascinantes civilisations de l'humanité.

De alapage.com : C'est un outil des plus précieux et une mine de références qui offre au profane et au spécialiste une base d'informations synthétique et complète, couvrant l'ensemble du champ de l'Égyptologie. Le lecteur fera ainsi le point des connaissances actuelles sur l'Égypte antique, quel que soit le sujet qui le passionne (écriture, langue, arts, cultes, moeurs, société, état, magie ou encore ésotérisme).

From the book cover : Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians - animals of all kinds were important to the ancient Egyptians in their work, leisure and religious practices. In this book, the author examines aspects of the relationship between people and animals in ancient Egypt, and identifies the animals most commonly represented in art and hieroglyphs. Surveying more than three thousand years of Egyptian history, the author draws not only on the extremely rich pictorial record, but also on the evidence from textual references, mummified animals, food offerings placed in burials and bone remains recovered from settlement sites.

Note from Francesca : This exploration of the world's most transcendent story of love is rewritten in its entirety within the first chapters. The reader lives the Egyptian tale of the twins Isis and Osiris through a dramatic romanticization of the renowned myth. The author shows how, via detailed exercises, this myth relates to the modern design of marriage and provides the reader with the search for oneself throughout.

From AEB : L'Égyptomanie sous toutes ses formes : architecture, décoration, bijoux, cinéma, B.D., etc.

From the book cover : Imhotep was a magician-physician, sage and architect at the court of theird dynasty King Zoser, who reigned from 2630-2611 BC. He is chiefly remembered today as the architect of the great step pyramid at Saqqara, the Egyptians' first colossal stone monument, but during his own life time, Imhotep was revered for his prodigious learning and particularly for his skills in medicine. In this book Jamieson Hurry, a retired physician, describes Imhotep's activities as a human and his subsequent role as a demi-god and god, analysing the reasons for his deification and also examining the development of medicine in ancient Egypt.

From AEB : Ce livre trace l'histoire de l'hydrologie du Nil et son climat.

De alapage.com : Compte-rendu de l'histoire des institutions en Égypte, ce livre est divisé en deux parties, chacune écrite par l'un des auteurs. La première, celle de Valbelle, est dédié à l'Égypte pharaonique et ses institutions. La seconde, de Husson, traite des institutions Égyptiennes de la periode Gréco-Romaine.