Review by Choice Review
In this lucidly written history of Egypt intended for nonspecialists, 20 chapters tell the history of Egyptian civilization from its Paleolithic origins 55,000 years ago in the savannahs of the prehistoric Sahara to the end of its independent history with the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE. Although the book's focus on kings and their activities gives it a familiar feel, the work is distinguished by two strengths--the author's excellent descriptions of archaeological monuments, and her incorporation into the narrative the results of current scholarship, such as, for example, the important role that climate change played in Egyptian history, and the discovery that the last ruler of the Old Kingdom, Netikrety-Nitocris, was not a queen as has been believed since antiquity, but a king. Still, because there are similar recent competitors such as Ian Shaw (ed.),The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (CH, Jun'01, 38-5725), and Toby Wilkinson's The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt (CH, Dec'11, 49-2231), university libraries may consider it a potentially useful but not essential addition to their collections. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. --Stanley M. Burstein, California State University, Los Angeles
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Pharaoh after pharaoh, dynasty after dynasty, millennium after millennium, British archaeologist Fletcher methodically moves through ancient Egyptian history, imparting with succinct but colorful detail (leaving readers surprised at how much is known about these very long-ago figures) each monarch's impact for the good, for the bad, or for something in between on the evolution (or in some instances, devolution) of the Egyptian state. As she covers important steps in the development of Egyptian culture, Fletcher posits that ancient Egypt represents the greatest culture the world has ever seen. Her discussion of the myths that shaped the ancient Egyptian worldview leads off the narrative, and one of the most surprising facts readers will joyfully encounter is the number of female pharaohs who ruled just like a man. Phenomenally, Fletcher makes living history out of artifacts, and readers with a keen interest in history will follow every step she takes.--Hooper, Brad Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this broad survey targeted to casual readers, British Egyptologist Fletcher (Cleopatra the Great) explains how the ancient Egyptian civilization laid the foundations for the modern world. To contemporary sensibilities, the Egyptians can seem inordinately obsessed with the afterlife, and one could be forgiven for believing that their most impressive achievements are their own bodies' repositories, often protected by ingenious and elaborate security measures regularly replicated in what Fletcher dismisses as "bad Hollywood films." Tombs do feature prominently throughout, but Fletcher takes pains to illuminate the more quotidian concerns of her subjects, such as the proliferation of graffiti polluting said funerary monuments, about which ancient public servants groused. Though often pictured as existing in splendid isolation, the Egyptians-literate, numerate, spiritual, and philosophical-carried on rich intellectual and commercial relations, as well as military campaigns, with such contemporaries as Greece, Nubia, and Persia. Ptolemy IV, who styled himself a "New Dionysos," traded extensively with Rome, a connection that would end in disaster. Fletcher's telling encompasses pharaohs and their royal retinue as well as "weavers, artists, butchers and bakers, brewers, florists and perfume-makers." Readers already interested in mummies, pyramids, and hieroglyphics will appreciate Fletcher's depth and breadth of knowledge about the civilization that created them. Agent: Jason Bartholomew, Hodder & Stoughton (U.K.). (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by Library Journal Review
Fletcher (archaeology, Univ. of York; Cleopatra the Great) has written a comprehensive survey of the history and civilization of ancient Egypt. Similiar to Toby Wilkinson's The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt, Fletcher's account does not end with the fall of the last native Egyptian dynasty but includes a fascinating study of the Ptolemaic period, ending with Cleopatra VII's defeat by Rome. The author's exploration begins in the prehistoric Sahara and traces the evolution of Egypt's predynastic culture, creating an engrossing narrative from start to finish. Recent discoveries and theories are incorporated but some speculations, such as Fletcher's reconstruction of the controversial Amarna era, are presented as historical fact without caveat. Whereas Wilkinson opted to use "the form most closely approximating the original usage" for the names of most ancient Egyptian sites, Fletcher wisely employs the more common names that will be recognizable to the nonspecialist. -VERDICT Despite the occasional blurring of fact and theory, this work is recommended as an exciting introduction to ancient Egyptian civilization.-Edward K. Werner, formerly with St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., FL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
