Who Were the Pharaohs ? A history of their names with a list of cartouches
(Stephen Quirke)
ISBN 071410955X © 1990, British Museum Press
ISBN 0486265862 © 1991, Dover Publications

Note from Francesca : "In five chapters, the author explains the various names (Horus, He of the Two Ladies, Horus of Gold, He of the Sedge and Bee, Son of Ra) of the ancient Egyptian kings, covering the dawn of Egyptian writing ca 3000BC up to the Roman period. A chronological history of the names is explained with hieroglyphic texts and modern research. Cartouches of the main kings are provided. This is an excellent book for beginners, as well as for scholars, interested in this subject."

La Reine Hatshepsout. Sources et problèmes
(Suzanne Ratié)
ISBN 9004060642
© 1979, Brill

Akhenaten. The heretic king
(Donald B. Redford)
ISBN 0691035679 (hb)
ISBN 0691002177 (pb)
© 1987, Princeton University Press

Note from Francesca : "The author portrays Akhenaten more as an atheist than a monotheist. A striking portrait is an outline of this fascinating 'worshiper of the sun', who is also one of the best known pharaohs. A good overview is provided of the Akhenaten Temple Project. Some of the author's comments are amusing which makes the book more enjoyable especially through the 'dry' moments. The book contains a short glossary, suggested readings, and many black and white illustrations and drawings. It is recommended for the open-minded lay person."

The Complete Tutankhamun. The king, the tomb, the royal treasure
(Nicholas Reeves)
ISBN 0500278105
© 1995, Thames and Hudson

Note from Francesca : "Ever since King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, the legacy of the boy-king has fascinated the world. This fascinating book provides much information about this boy, who reigned over Egypt for a short period of time. The author describes the search and the discovery of the tomb, the archaeology of the tomb and the treasures it contained. The book includes extracts from Carter's notes and diaries, as well as first-time publication of his drawings and reconstructions. Offering both color and black-and-white illustrations, this is a most excellent useful reference for everyone."

Cleopatra
(E. E. Rice)
ISBN 0750920572
© 1999, Sutton Publishing

Note from Francesca : "This book is a biographical account of famous Cleopatra VII, the last Macedonian ruler of Egypt. It provides descriptive details about her family, her lovers and her importance in Egyptian history. Illustrated with 12 black and white pictures and 3 maps, it is a highly readable work, accessible to the general public, yet most valuable for young adults."

Rulers of Ancient Egypt
(Russell Roberts)
ISBN 1560064382
© 1999, Lucent Books

Pharaohs and Kings. A biblical quest
(also published as A test of time. The bible from myth to history)
(David M. Rohl)
ISBN 0517703157 © 1995, Crown Publications
ISBN 0609801309 © 1997, Crown Publications

From Amazon.com : "Pharaohs and Kings reveals the Old Testament to be a true account of the history of the Jewish people. Illustrated throughout, it will appeal to the vast audience for revisionist archaeology and history as well as to the many Christian and Jewish readers who accept the historical validity of the Bible. Pharaohs and Kings was made into a highly cclaimed television series produced by The Learning Channel."

The Rape of Tutankhamun
(John Romer & Elizabeth Romer)
ISBN 1854799991
© 1993, Michael O'Mara Books

The Sons of Re. Cartouches of the kings of Egypt
(John Rose)
ISBN 095104320X
© 1985, Croft, Warrington and Cheshire

Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Queen-monarchs in ancient Egypt
(Julia Samson)
ISBN 0948695188
© 1990, Rubicon Press

Note from Francesca : "In this clearly written book, the author explains the importance of the two best-known and greatest queen-monarchs of Ancient Egyptian times, Nefertiti and Cleopatra. In the first part of the book, Samson describes the reign of Akhenaten and clarifies the influence of Nefertiti on that particular reign. In the second part, Samson discusses Cleopatra and her association with Caesar and Mark Antony. A very detailed, well-illustrated book, recommended for students, particularly those interested in these two queens."

Pharaohs and Mortals
(Torgny Säve-Söderbergh)
ISBN 0760700419
© 1996, Barnes and Noble

From AEB : "Out of the textbook catalogue of names, the author has resurrected the movers and shakers of ancient Egypt : the brilliant tactical Tuthmosis III, the dreamer Ikhanaton, the dictator Ramses II, the wily Queen Hatshepsut, and many others."

Nefertari. Gemahlin Ramses' II
(Heike C. Schmidt & Joachim Willeitner)
ISBN 3805315295
© 1994, Philipp von Zabern

From AEB : "The restoration of the wall-paintings in Nefertari's tomb by the Getty Conservation Institute was one of the great adventures in Egyptology of the 1980s and 1990s. This beautifully illustrated German account of the work contains many images not seen in English-language books. The text describes what we know of the life of Ramesses II's principal wife, one of the only royal partners to be deified during her lifetime."

Lexikon der Pharaonen. Die altägyptischen Konige von der Frühzeit bis zur Römerherrschaft
(Thomas Schneider)
ISBN 3760811027
© 1994, Artemis & Winkler

Cleopatra
(Pat Southern)
ISBN 0752414356 (hb) © 1999, Tempus Publishing
ISBN 0752414911 (pb) © 2000, Tempus Publishing

Les Noms du Pharaon comme Êtres Autonomes au Nouvel Empire
(Cathie Spieser)
ISBN 3727812826
© 2000, Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis

De alapage.com : "Cette publication traite d'un sujet qui s'adresse aux chercheurs de la discipline, mais elle peut aussi intéresser des amateurs très éclairés qui trouveront dans mon livre une approche nouvelle du domaine de la royauté pharaonique au Nouvel Empire. L'importance accordée au nom de manière générale en Egypte ancienne a été maintes fois relevée. L'ouvrage se concentre sur un aspect des noms royaux, qui par leurs hautes valeurs magiques et créatrices, peuvent dans certaines circonstances posséder la qualité de substitut pour la représentation anthropomorphe du roi."

L’Égypte des Pharaons (English title : The World of the Pharaohs)
(Henri Stierlin)
en français : ISBN 287939046X © 1996, Terrail
in English : ISBN 0831796316 © 1978, Sunflower Books, New York

From AEB : Cette édition comprend les volumes Les pharaons bâtisseurs, et L'or des pharaons.
"Dès 2800 av. J.-C. et pendant trois millénaires, la vallée du Nil, du delta jusqu'à la Nubie fut un immense chantier sous la conduite des pharaons-dieux. Par ailleurs, l'or des pharaons, depuis la découverte des trésors de Toutankhamon et Psousennès I, ne cesse de nous fasciner."

Alexander the Great
(Richard Stoneman)
ISBN 0415150507
© 1997, Routledge

From the publisher's website : "[This book] provides an introduction both to the history of the most renowned conqueror of antiquity and the main themes of his reign. Alexander is among the most difficult of rulers to research, as almost no direct evidence has survived the ravages of time. In response to the scarcity of evidence, Richard Stoneman includes an in-depth examination of written and other sources, revealing the problems of interpreting them. A thorough discussion of archaeological and numismatic evidence, combined with an outline of the Macedonian background, lends insight into Alexander's education, environment and ideas. Drawing on earlier biographies as well as incorporating newly unearthed evidence, Stoneman reveals Alexander as a brilliant and ruthless commander who came to believe in his own myth. An exploration of Alexander's claim to divinity, and an assessment of his short and long-term achievements are also included in this volume."

Alexander the Great - 2 volumes
(William Woodthorpe Tarn)
© 1948, Cambridge University Press

Akhenaten's Egypt
(Angela P. Thomas)
ISBN 0852639732
© 1999, Shire Publications

Note from Francesca : "Amenophis IV, also known as Akhenaten, worshiped the god Aten and banned all the others. He founded a new capital city, Akhetaten, now Tell el-Amarna. This short illustrated book provides details of Akhenaten's reign, that of his father Amenophis III, his wife Nefertiti and his daughters; it also discusses the religious and artistic beliefs of this period. A list of museums exhibiting material relating to Akhenaten is included. Recommended reading for all."

Ramses II and Egypt
(Olivier Tiano)
ISBN 0805046593
© 1995, 1996, Henry Holt and Company

Patterns of Queenship in Ancient Egyptian Myth and History
(Lana Troy)
ISBN 9155419194
© 1986, Almquist and Wiksell International

Thutmosis III
(Angelika Tulhoff)
ISBN 3766707094
© 1984, Callwey

Hatchepsut. The female pharaoh
(Joyce Tyldesley)
ISBN 0670859761 © 1996, Viking Press
ISBN 0140244646 © 1998, Penguin

Note from Francesca : "Hatchepsut... a name erased from monuments despite her importance to Egyptian history. As this book explains through archaeological and historical evidence, she was a remarkable pharaoh (and queen !) having done much for the country. Her expeditions and her relations with the numerous Thoutmosis are discussed in detail. A chapter is dedicated to Senenmut, an important figure in Hatchepsut's reign. Maps, black-and-white illustrations and photographs complete this useful book. Recommended for the interested reader."

Judgement of the Pharaoh
(Joyce Tyldesley)
ISBN 0297646699
© 2000, Trafalgar Square

Nefertiti. Egypt's sun queen (titre français : Néfertiti. La reine solaire)
(Joyce Tyldesley)
in English : ISBN 0670869988 © 1999, Viking Press
en français : ISBN 2268032272 © 1999, Éditions du Rocher

From Amazon.com : "[The author] rescues another female ruler from the shadows of history c.1350 BC : Queen Nefertiti. We know her from the exquisite painted bust discovered in 1912, now in the Berlin Museum, which has made her ancient Egypt's most recognizable queen and a symbol of her country's history. Until now, however, she has remained largely unknown and unrecognized for her contributions to Egyptian society. Wife of Akhenaten, the monotheistic pharaoh, adored by her family, blessed by the sun god, and worshiped by her people, Nefertiti suddenly and completely vanished from the record. Was she banished by her husband or raised to rule as his equal ? Did she reign, under another name, in her own right ? Could she have been the eminence grise behind the young Tutankhamen, her son-in-law ? [This book clearly shows] Nefertiti's life and times at the ephemeral and heretical Amarna court. Nefertiti is a radical re-creation of the woman who was the most influential in the Bronze Age world."
Note de Corinne Smeesters : "Joyce Tyldesley est une spécialiste de la question féminine dans l'Égypte pharaonique. Sans avancer de théories hasardeuses, sans éluder les zones d'ombres, l'auteur s'appuye sur l'ensemble des données disponibles et confronte les hypothèses les plus récentes pour nous offrir, à travers le personnage de Néfertiti, une vue d'ensemble de la période amarnienne : Akhénaton, le culte d'Aton, la ville d'Akhétaton et ses tombes."

Private Lives of the Pharaohs. Unlocking the secrets of Egyptian royalty
(Joyce Tyldesley)
ISBN 0752219030 © 2000, Channel 4 Books
ISBN 1575001543 © February 2001, TV Books

From Amazon.co.uk : "How were the pyramids built ? What were two unborn children doing in Tutankhamen's tomb ? What was the blue lotus depicted in many tombs - a drug, a perfume ? Accompanying a Channel 4 documentary series, this volume shows how scientific techniques can be used to answer questions about the pharaohs."

Ramesses. Egypt's greatest pharaoh
(Joyce Tyldesley)
ISBN 0670884871 (hb) © 2000, Penguin
ISBN 0140280979 (pb) © November 2001, Penguin

Note from Francesca : "This is a historical account of the great pharaoh Ramesses II. Based on known and proven facts, as well as archaeological evidence, the author tells of Ramesses's life, achievements, monuments and children. She also presents a short history of New Kingdom Egypt, prior to Ramesses II's reign, and discusses the succeeding pharaohs who bore the name of Ramesses. Excellent maps, photographs and bibliography complete this outstanding work. Recommended reading for everyone."

Der Vergessene Pharao (titre français : Le Pharaon Oublié - titolo italiano : Tutankhamen. Il faraone dimenticato - en español : El Faraón Olvidado)
(Philipp Vandenberg)
in italiano : © 1985, SugarCo Edizioni
en español : ISBN 8401370671 © 1980, Plaza y Janés

De electre.com : "L’auteur nous offre un aperçu du pharaon-enfant Tutankhamon et l’importance de la découverte de sa tombe dans la Vallée des Rois."

Nofretete (English title : Nefertiti. An archaeological biography - en español : Nefertiti)
(Philipp Vandenberg)
in English : ISBN 039701256X © 1978, Lippincott
en español : ISBN 8401480701 © 1979, Plaza y Janés

Les Histoires d'Amour des Pharaons - Tome 1
(Violaine Vanoyeke)
ISBN 2840984989
© 1999, Michel Lafon

De alapage.com : "Epris l'un de l'autre dès l'adolescence et unis dans le culte du dieu Aton, Nefertiti et Akhenaton sont pourtant déchirés par des sentiments contraires. Chéri de toutes les femmes, Ramsès II perd prématurément la seule qu'il ait aimée. Epouse du harem de Ramsès III, Tyi recourt à la magie et complote contre le pharaon pour imposer son fils à la tête du pays. Ambitieuse, impulsive et sensuelle, Cléopâtre conquiert César mais tombe amoureuse d'Antoine... A l'affût de la moindre tablette et des papyrii illustrant l'existence des Egyptiens, Violaine Vanoyeke nous entraîne dans l'intimité des couples pharaoniques. Elle nous fait visiter les appartements des épouses royales, les salles du palais où se concoctent les crimes aussi bien que les filtres d'amour, et l'Egypte de nos rêves dans ses réelles splendeurs."

Les Histoires d'Amour des Pharaons - Tome 2
(Violaine Vanoyeke)
ISBN 284098489X
© 1999, Michel Lafon

De alapage.com : "Ahmose et Ahmès Nefertari ; Toutankhaton et la fille de Nefertiti ; Taousert et le père de Ramsès III ; les passions de Seti et d'Aménophis II ; la belle Arsinoé retrouvant le bonheur auprès de son époux Ptolémée II Philadelphe, le bâtisseur du phare d'Alexandrie : autant d'épopées conjugales et politiques retracées avec flamboyance au travers d'anecdotes attendrissantes ou cocasses mais aussi décisives pour le déroulement des dynasties, et qui permettent à Violaine Vanoyeke de faire revivre les intrigues et les splendeurs de l'Egypte pharaonique. En exclusivité mondiale à l'intérieur du livre, les photos prises par l'auteur des tombeaux restaurés de la vallée des Nobles, de la vallée des Rois et de Deir el-Bahari, qui seront accessibles au public dans quelques mois seulement."

Aménophis IV. Les pierres du soleil
(Robert Vergnieux et Michel Gondran)
ISBN 2700311493
© 1997, Arthaud

De electre.com : "A travers une centaine de fresques inédites du premier temple d'Aton à Karnak et reconstituées en images de synthèse, ce livre raconte l'histoire d'Akhénaton, ainsi que la démarche de l'archéologue et du scientifique dans leur recherche pour reconstituer ces puzzles de pierre."

Toutankhamon dans les Archives Hittites
(Joseph Vergote)
© 1961, Nederlands Historisch-Archaeologisch Instituut in het Nabije Oosten

Cleopatra of Egypt
(Susan Walker)
ISBN 0714119385 (hb) ISBN 0714119431 (pb)
© 2001, British Museum Press
ISBN 0691088357 (hb)
© 2001, Princeton University Press

From Amazon.com : "This lavishly illustrated catalogue coincides with a major international exhibition celebrating images of Cleopatra. It first explores the ways in which Cleopatra was depicted in the iconography of her day, including coins, statues, and engravings. Recent archaeological finds from Alexandria, Cleopatra's capital, and from Rome illustrate life in Cleopatra's day and her impact on the capital of the known world. Exciting new discoveries, including seven Egyptian-style statues believed to represent Cleopatra and two portraits, probably commissioned while she was living in Rome with Julius Caesar, are featured. The volume then examines interpretations of Cleopatra from the Renaissance to modern times, as seen in plays, operas, paintings ceramics, and jewelry."

The Life and Times of Akhnaton, Pharaoh of Egypt
(Arthur Edward Pearse Brome Weigall)
© 1923, G. P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN 0804611025 © 1970, Kennikat Press
ISBN 0815410921 © 2000, Cooper Square Press

Tutankhamun's Egypt
(Frances Welsh)
ISBN 0747801967
© 1993, Shire Publications

Note from Francesca : "Ever since the discovery of his tomb in 1922, the public has shown a strong interest in young pharaoh Tutankhamun. This book describes in 80 pages the contents and objects of Tut's tomb and the paintings on its walls. The author provides a brief history of Tutankhamun's short reign, as well as an explanation of the funerary rites and beliefs of the period. A womderfully illustrated compact book with much information on the famous boy-king Tutankhamun, for everyone."

Cleopatras
(John Whitehorne)
ISBN 0415058066
© 1994, Routledge

From AEB : "The first study of its kind in English, Cleopatras examines the lives and careers of Cleopatra's illustrious namesakes. Beginning with the Cleopatras of early Greek mythology, John Whitehorne next considers Macedonian queens and princesses of the same name including the last wife of Philip II of Macedon and the sister of Alexander the Great. He traces the careers of Cleopatras from the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and explores the political importance of their marriages to the Seleucid kings of Syria. After a reappraisal of current views about Cleopatra VII's suicide, the author concludes with accounts of such fascinating and important historical figures as Cleopatra Selene of Mauretania and Cleopatra's daughter by Mark Antony, who was the last in the Ptolemaic line.
"Through these numerous biographical studies, Whitehorne is able to shed light on the nature of royal power in this period, the place of dynastic marriage in the Macedonian and Hellenistic monarchies, and the growing political importance of royal women in the Hellenistic age. Trained as a papyrologist, Whitehorne brings years of experience in editing and interpreting texts from this period and has published widely on the history and society of Greco-Roman Egypt."

Ni-User-Rê. Sonnenkönig, Sonnengott
(Dietrich Wildung)
© 1985, Munich

Sesostris und Amenemhet. Ägypten in Mittleren Reich (titre français : L'Age d'Or de l'Égypte. Le moyen empire)
(Dietrich Wildung)
in English : ISBN 3777437204 © 1984, Hirmer
en français : ISBN 2130379605 © 1984, Presses Universitaires de France

In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great. A journey from Greece to Asia
(Michael Wood)
ISBN 0520213076
© 1997, University of California Press

From Amazon.com : "Between 334 and 324 B.C. the Macedonian army, led by Alexander the Great, marched relentlessly across Asia. An event of bravery and cruelty, endurance and greed, Alexander's expedition was a turning point in human history. His conquest opened up contacts between Europe and Asia, unleashing astonishing historical energies that continue to affect the world today. This extraordinary book recreates Alexander's 22,000 mile, ten-year expedition from Greece to India, following as much as possible the actual route of his journey.
"Historian Michael Wood traversed seventeen countries, trekking through the Zagros Mountains to find the lost site of Alexander's battle at the 'Persian Gates,' drinking black tea in the Hindu Kush, listening to ancient stories of Sikander e Aazem, and crossing the Makran Desert with twenty-three camels. He traveled with Lebanese traders, Iranian pilgrims, Afghan guerrillas, and other local people on a journey that took him through many of the twentieth century's major trouble spots, including Beirut and Kurdistan.
"Wood bases his account of Alexander's conquest on the texts of Greek and Roman historians, but he also reconsiders the Greek adventure in terms of modern ideas on colonialism, orientalism, and racism. The Macedonian conquest, which has mainly been seen through Greek sources, is illuminated for the first time by medieval travelers' narratives, newly discovered oracles, and prophecies on papyrus or clay tablet.
"At the heart of Wood's powerful story is the towering, enigmatic character of Alexander the Great. He ascended the throne at twenty, conquered much of the known world before he was thirty, and was dead by the age of thirty-two. A ruthless politician, brilliant military tactician, devoted son, family man, lover of both women and men, Alexander was known for his extreme generosity as well as his ferocious cruelty. Following in the conqueror's footsteps centuries later, Michael Wood overhears the words of the fabled Greek mermaid who calls to passing sailors: 'Great Alexander still lives!'"

Behind the Mask of Tutankhamen
(Barry Wynne)
© 1972, Taplinger Publishing Company