Customer Reviews:
Need More Books.......2006-08-31
I still have yet to receive Volume II and Volume IV. I tried to tell ya'll that I wanted the books even though it would be a while, but couldn't figure out your web page and how to do it. I wish I could talk to a HUMAN to make sure you go ahead and send the books. Volume 1 was wonderful and a great beginning to the series BUT I can't finish it without the other books
A series of historical novels with neither accuracy nor (much) entertainment.......2005-07-28
Christian Jacq has brought out a series of five novels detailing the life of Ramses II, one of his role models. The series largely fails as a historical novel series. Firstly, it is inaccurate historically. Yes, this can be OK in many cases, but here it is a deliberate mish-mash of historical figures and chronologies where Ramses II rubs shoulders with Moses, Menelaus, Homer etc etc. (although Moses is the most likely to be an actual contemporary, this still seems like hacking together people and events). As for entertainment value, it is interesting in the way that extremely light writing with implausible plotlines is a quick read as it doesn't require much concentration and doesn't wear you out. However, there is much better writing out there (both literary and "light") - here, I found the dialogue to be especially unreal.
Jacq does mythologise Egypt with the sacred mysteries and magic of the priests being real. He also does a lot to make the whole setting come alive, which is the biggest strength of the series. But this could all be done without the several ridiculous aspects of the books.
In this, the second book, with Seti dead, Ramses begins his rule and is immediately beset with the problems of running the kingdom. Circumstances also lead to a degree of estrangement from his childhood friends. He is plotted against by his brother and a sorcerer, so he decides to begin his rule by building Pi-Ramses - a new capital to be associated with his reign.
A decent series if there's nothing better to read and it will increase your interest in Egypt, but there IS something better to read in terms of almost all the aspects of the series.
The Forces of Evil Set Upon Ramses.......2004-06-13
At twenty-three years of age Ramses becomes pharaoh but will it be a short reign? His brother, Shanaar, hasn't given up hope of being pharaoh and is poised to use the king's friends against him. But Shanaar isn't alone. People close to him want to weaken him and an outsider wants to challenge him with black magic. Ramses is young and inexperienced but seems to have the gods on his side. What is needed now is the power of the eternal temple.
In Volume II of Christian Jacq's five-volume set The Eternal Temple brings to life the struggles of the young king to rule a divisive country. Seti I, who is seen as the gentle and wise ruler imparting his wisdom to his son, has died suddenly and now the young Ramses must steer a country alone with dark forces converging on him. Moses is beginning to hear God's call and questions the role of religion in Egyptian society. Yet he is loyal to Ramses, his boyhood friend. To make matters more difficult on Moses a stranger is encouraging him to accept Aton, the one true god. Now forces beyond Moses' control will force him to choose his own way. The Hittites are also stirring in Syria and the Nubians are rebelling. Ramses must be careful and he can't trust anyone.
The Ramses set is very easy reading and Jacq's writing style is crisp and keeps the action moving. The exciting characters such as Moses, Homer, Menelaus and Helen of Troy make this period one of the most exciting in the ancient world.
Good representation of Ancient Egypt with boring plot.......2003-05-23
I found the second of the five books about Ramses very boring. First book (Son Of Light) seemed good to me, it had an interesting plot, but after (and while) reading its sequel I felt very disappointed. First of all - bad characters are banally bad and good characters - extremely good and luck is always on their side. Ramses is something like a superman, not a human. There are a lot of fictional moments in the book - like the way Ramses finds Abu Simbel, it was the elephant he saved in the first book that shows the place to him. Wow, what magnificent creatures were there in Ancient Egypt. And not to talk about the magic that is practiced and has real effect. The only character that develops in some way is Moses but his development seems so illogical and unnatural that it only strenghtens my disappointment from the book. And remember Sari - Ramses' teacher? He's so bad now that I can hardly believe such transformation in real environment. Sometimes dialogues between characters are so banal that they do not represent nothing you don't know or wouldn't expect.
The book has some good points though. It gives valuable information about Ancient Egypt mythology and if you abstract youself from the simplicity of the characters you could find Ancient Egypt's representation quite successful at moments.
One of the little moments that I like in the book is the birth of Ramses' daughter and the struggle for her life.
As a conclusion I would say that this book may be found interesting for people interested in Ancient Egypt but those looking for good story may find it boring.
Good representation of Ancient Egypt with boring plot.......2003-05-22
I found the second of the five books about Ramses very boring. First book (Son Of Light) seemed good to me, it had an interesting plot, but after (and while) reading its sequel I felt very disappointed. First of all - bad characters are banally bad and good characters - extremely good and luck is always on their side. Ramses is something like a superman, not a human. There are a lot of fictional moments in the book - like the way Ramses finds Abu Simbel, it was the elephant he saved in the first book that shows the place to him. Wow, what magnificent creatures were there in Ancient Egypt. And not to talk about the magic that is practiced and has real effect. The only character that develops in some way is Moses but his development seems so illogical and unnatural that it only strenghtens my disappointment from the book. And remember Sari - Ramses' teacher? He's so bad now that I can hardly believe such transformation in real environment. Sometimes dialogues between characters are so banal that they do not represent nothing you don't know or wouldn't expect.
The book has some good points though. It gives valuable information about Ancient Egypt mythology and if you abstract youself from the simplicity of the characters you could find Ancient Egypt's representation quite successful at moments.
One of the little moments that I like in the book is the birth of Ramses' daughter and the struggle for her life.
As a conclusion I would say that this book may be found interesting for people interested in Ancient Egypt but those looking for good story may find it boring.
Customer Reviews:
Securing the Peace.......2004-06-27
In the concluding story of the Ramses saga the middle-aged king is under pressure from the Hittites to prove peace is at hand by marrying the emperor's daughter. This would mean renouncing Iset the Fair, who became the queen after the passing of Nefetari, the beloved queen of Egypt. This presented a real dilemma for the king: nothing short of peace was at stake but the king must uphold the law of ma'at. What is the king to do?
Ramses would also have to deal with Uri-Teshoop who's scheming to undermine the peace and a growing threat from the Libyans, who would love to conquer Egypt. Ramses continues to steer the ship of state through these turbulent waters relying on leadership, genius, magic, and a little help from the gods to defeat the forces of evil that threaten to undermine Egypt.
The story ends almost where it began with the king slumped beneath the acacia tree he planted in the first year of his reign. His faithful sandal-bearer, Ahmeni, was at his side writing down the story of the life of the greatest pharaoh, Ramses the Great.
Entertaining but flawed!.......2003-03-18
The main story of this book is an entertaining read about a king and his connection to the land of Egypt, it's people and their Gods. Ramses unlike the rest of us mortals seems to have no faults, other than a lack of patience with his young, foreign, bride whom he lectures but provides with no assistance or education (he seems to have no empathy for her like he does for the rest of his subjects).
The male characters are strongly defined with clear personality traits and preferences. The female characters on the other hand barely rate in terms of page time and are almost exclusively there as decorative ornaments who are easily dismissed despite clear statements that women were free and respected at that time in Egypt. The author largely portrays them as beautiful sirens and sex-slaves.
The depth of the population's belief in the Gods, their powers and Ramses links to them and his dead relatives has been imaginatively captured. What has taken a long time to capture however is the main bad guy, whose partners in crime Ramses otherwise brilliant aides, invariably manage to bump off before getting them to talk. I realise this is a plot device to keep the story going but what a bunch of bunglers they are.
End of the series.......2002-05-12
As a native Anatolian, I liked this book. Not very much detail is given but there is another huge civilization in Anatolia at the same time and in this book more clues are given.
But with the help of these Ramses books, my Egypt knowladge increased.
Excellent!.......2001-10-19
I think this set of fiction ts really great! The story is interesting and attractive. But i think the vocabulary is quite difficult for student, especially those under 15 years old. Finally, I highly recommend this book to all of you!
Excellent!.......2001-10-19
I think this set of fiction ts really great! The story is interesting and attractive. But i think the vocabulary is quite difficult for student, especially those under 15 years old. Finally, I highly recommend this book to all of you!
Customer Reviews:
Velikovsky was a quack.......2005-08-20
Although Velikovsky's absurd astronomical theories have attracted considerable critical attention, his equally ridiculous revision of ancient chronology has been mostly neglected. This is perhaps unfortunate, as this stuff is incredibly silly, and a good debunking would be fun to read. At any rate, this book is full of patently absurd notions. He brings Egypt's 19th Dynasty, normally dated to the 13th century BC, down 5 centuries or so and makes it identical to the 26th Dynasty. Seti I becomes Psammetichus I, Ramses II becomes Necho, and so forth (I can't recall the specific other identifications). To make this work, he then has to turn the Hittites into the Neo-Babylonians, (which is, to say the least, geographically ridiculous, if nothing else) whose own chronology has to be messed up to get it to fit right.
The whole thing is just a complete mess if you think about it at all, but in spite of this Velikovsky still manages to have people who believe in these ridiculous theories. So, if you like crackpot theories, this is probably a good book (although you would perhaps be wise to read his other books first), but don't read it expecting to actually learn anything about history.
Mistakes Galore.......2005-02-17
Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but Velikovsky's work regarding ancient Egypt is not scientific & full of errors.
Anyone interested in egyptology or history of Ancient Egypt mustnt depend on Velikovsky;s work as he fantasizes alot & mixes myth with what he wants to be fact, not to mention lying through his teeth about several papyruses allegedly speaking of the exodus, while ommiting a few words that bring down his theory to the ground only to make things go his way. The guy seriously lied & is no way an authority in the field he wrote.
RAMSES, BABYLON AND THE CHALDEANS.......2003-06-12
Ramses II And His Time takes up the story from the end of Velikovsky's book Oedipus And Akhnaton, but can also be read by itself. In this book the author revises the period of the Chaldean or Neo-Babylonian empire. He makes a rather convincing case that these Chaldeans were not indigenous to the city of Babylon and that they were really the Hittites of Asia Minor. He draws parallels between the emperors of Babylon and the Chaldean kings. At the same time in Egypt, Velikovsky identifies the 19th dynasty of Seti and Ramses with the 26th dynasty of Psamtik, Necho and Apries.
This period in Velikovsky's revised history starts with the first confrontation between what the author considers the contemporaries Ramses II and Nebuchadnezzar and ends with the Persian conquest of Libya and Egypt, from where the story continues in the aforementioned book Peoples Of The Sea. In between there are informative discussions of the origin of the alphabet, the pictographic script of the Hittites, the ruins of Yazilikaya and other monuments of Asia Minor, the Israel stele of Mernepthah and the lamentations of Jeremiah.
The epilogue is devoted to the counterarguments that Velokovsky expected from the critics. The pieces here include titles like Tanis And Sais, How Long Did Seti And Ramses II Reign?, Two Suppiluliumas, Bronze And Iron, Scarabs And Stratigraphy. The synchronical tables that follow lays out his revised history of this era for Egypt, Judah, Chaldea, Lydia-Phrygia, Media-Persia and Greece.
There are 30 black and white illustrations including the Steles of Essarhaddon and Ramses II at Nahr El Kelb, the sarcophagus of Ahiram, The Lion Gate Of Hattussas, The Israel Stele Of Merneptah and The Mummy Of Ramses II. The book concludes with a thorough index.
The fact that Ramses II lived at the end of the 7th century BC and was the same person as Pharao Necho II of the Scriptures may not be widely accepted, but Velikovsky's brilliant writing style certainly sparked a renewed interest in ancient history and still provides great reading pleasure. I recommend this classic of alternative history to all readers who are interested in the ancient history of the Middle East, Egyptology and biblical archaeology.
The Forgotten Empire
.......2003-03-03
This book should be read by anyone about to read anything regarding the Hittites, by Bible students, or anyone interested in ancient Egypt or ancient history in general. Ramses II is one of the best known names from the New Kingdom, and has an entirely undeserved role in most attempts to synchronize the Old Testament with what passes for the conventional chronology of the ancient Near East.
This volume of the multivolume "Ages In Chaos" discusses the identical nature of the 19th and 26th dynasties of Egypt's New Kingdom. The basic framework is "Theses for the Reconstruction of Ancient History", published in 1945 and available online. Lesser lights have tried to revise the nineteenth century's version of the dynasties -- the pseudochronology still in use today -- but only succeed where they follow Velikovsky.
Perhaps the lapse of decades after the 1952 publication of "Ages In Chaos" caused this later volume to be poorly received, but it could be read first without any disorientation. All of Velikovsky's books are available on the used search engines, and it is generally only a matter of time before they become available again.
See also Velikovsky's other works (new and used), and:
-:- The Synchronized Chronology by Roger Henry
-:- A New Approach to the Chronology of Biblical History from Abraham to Samuel by Gerald E. Aardsma
-:- Pharaohs and Kings by David Rohl
-:- Centuries of Darkness by Peter James et al
-:- Murder of Tutankhamen by Bob Brier
-:- Giving Goliath His Due by Neal Bierling (suffers from the author's reliance on the conventional pseudochronology, available online)
Thought-provoking and entertaining........1998-06-16
While his theories are inescapably controversial, Immanuel Velikovsky's genius has to be recognized. In this book, he pulls together Talmudic, Babylonian, and Egyptian texts, amongst others, to show that Ramses II of Egypt was actually a contemporary of Nebuchanezzar, King of Babylonia. In the process, he seeks to demonstrate that the entire known history of the Hittite Empire is a mistake, that there was no such civilization, and that our modern take on history is false. Sound like hogwash? Maybe, but it is presented very well, and addresses all of the issues as they arise. You may not agree with the theory, but poking holes in it will be tough. A challenging read, and by the end you have the feeling of having been through a good mystery book...you will spend hours thinking about the time frame in efforts to disprove the book. Highly reccommended.
Amazon.com
If you can't get to Egypt anytime soon, take John McDonald's informative tour of beloved Queen Nefertari's tomb, which has only been open to the public since 1995. The beautifully structured House of Eternity is replete with full-color photographs of the contrasting desert landscape, the elaborate tomb, and the paintings. Included are explanations of the hieroglyphs and artwork, plus interesting snippets from Nefertari's culture. For example, the queen's own status wasn't enough to make her powerful in the afterlife. The magical chapter 17 from the Egyptian Book of the Dead contains a spell that is painted on Nefertari's tomb walls to assure her transformation from playing senet, to becoming a "ba" bird, then finally worshipping a lion-headed god. To ensure success, the spell ends right at the doorway that marks the burial chamber.
Most souls were believed to experience the judgment of Osiris--not so with Nefertari, whose tomb contains no mention of this trial. In fact, most of the gods seem to be greeting Nefertari and urging her through the many passages to Necropolis, the city of the dead. Although the annexes are not open to the public, McDonald has included a photograph and discussion of the only evidence of Nefertari in mummified form.
With descriptions of the Egyptian gods and the people's beliefs about death being an eternity, McDonald reveals the magnificent culture behind the fragility of the restoration of this art, funded by the Getty Foundation. --Susan Swartwout
Book Description
Nefertari, the favorite queen of Ramses II, was buried about 3200 years ago in the most exquisitely decorated tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Queens. Discovered in 1904, the tomb had deteriorated to a disastrous extent when emergency consolidation began in 1986. The six-year conservation project
was completed in 1992 and in November 1995 the tomb was reopened to visitors. In this fascinating exploration of the tomb, McDonald takes the reader through each chamber, describing the hieroglyphic messages depicted in the brilliant wall paintings, and discussing the images within the context of
the Egyptian belief system. The study also offers insights into the life of Nefertari, the development and symbolism of royal tombs, construction and decoration of the tombs, and the Getty Conservation Institute's role in restoring and stabilizing the wall paintings. This premier volume in the
Culture and Conservation series is punctuated with historic black-and-white and more recent color photographs that illustrate the vibrant beauty of the wall paintings and the extent of their restoration. Visitors to the tomb and the armchair traveler will find this an excellent resource for
understanding Nefertari's journey to the afterlife.
Customer Reviews:
Profusely illustrated.......2006-06-20
The book begins with chapters describing the context of the life of Nefertari and of her tomb. The final chapter, about half of the book, is a tour through the tomb, explaining the pictures and text on the walls. These pictures are almost entirely of Nefertari and the divinities she would meet in the afterlife. No pictures of day-to-day life here.
The book is profusely illustrated. Out of the 120 pages, the Getty Museum claims there are 89 color and 12 black-and-white illustrations. I haven't counted them myself, but the numbers seem right -- most pages have color illustrations on them, and many pages consist entirely of such illustrations. I would estimate that about 80% of the wall surface of the tomb is shown.
the house of eternity.......2005-08-12
love the book, but wish it had more complete photos of the entire tomb. seeing the tomb in pieces as it were, makes it difficult to imagine how it really is.
how many color illustrations? Buy at your own risk........2003-09-25
In none of the editorial or customer reviews, nor in any part of the amazon page on this book, is there a very elementary and crucial bit of information -- how many color illustrations does this book contain? It might be 4. It might be 20. Who knows? But none of the reviewers, nor amazon, sees fit to let prospective buyers know. Buy at your own risk, I guess. Since neither the book info, nor Amazon, tells us how many color illustrations, perhaps the number is quite modest. I rate this book as four stars to give it the benefit of the doubt -- but without the critical information, I haven't wanted to buy it, so can't really say what it should be rated.
House of Eternity: The Tomb of Nefertari.......2002-12-26
Beautiful book. Trying to get tickets NOW for a tour of her tomb on our trip in Feb. 2003.
Nefertari - Queen of Egypt.......2000-12-24
Books about Ancient Egypt usually deal with her Pharaoh's, the State Religion, Ancient Monuments or art treasures . Little is known about most of the Queens of Ancient Egypt. The better known queens, Hatchepsut and Cleopatra ruled in their own right. Nefertari was the principle wife of one of Ancient Egypt's greatest Pharaoh's, Ramesses the Great. Ramesses built many temples and monuments during his long reign, some of which are still standing today including the Ramesseum, and the two Temple's at Abu Simbel. The smaller temple was dedicated to Nefertari. Very few temples or monuments were dedicated to anyone but the Pharaoh or one of the many Gods. The book " House of Eternity, The Tomb of Nefertari" tells as much of the story of Queen Nefertari as is known today. The Tomb of Nefertari is one of the most beautiful surviving monuments of Pharaonic Egypt. Since the Tomb was discovered in 1904, much damage has been caused by tourists. The tomb was closed to the public and preservation of the artwork undertaken by the Getty Institute. The tomb was re-opened to the public in 1995.. This book gives the reader a guided tour of the Tomb. The pictures in the book are spectacular.The author John McDonald takes the reader through the construction and decoration of the tomb, and then guides the reader through the journey into the Egyptian afterlife undertaken by Nefertari. The pictures on the tomb walls are from the Book of the Dead and the meaning of each is explained as Nefertari travels from the doorway of her tomb to her final resting place. I would rate this book as an essential addition to the library of anyone seriously interested in the history of Ancient Egypt and would advise anyone planning to visit the Tomb to read the book before hand.
Book Description
Pauline Gedge is a master at recreating the golden age in Egypt. Her heroine, Thu, a peasant girl from the village of Aswat, possesses both beauty and intelligence. To her good fortune Thu is found and brought to the center of society. She is chosen and trained for the court of Pharaoh Ramses. Her talent and guile win her a post in the harem.
Thu rises in favor, is betrayed in a court intrigue that threatens her life and falls from grace. Pharaoh spares her life but banishes her to serve the priests at the lowly temple of Wepwawet near the first cataract.
House of Illusions opens on Gedge's vividly recreated Egypt, sixteen years after Thu's banishment. During her exile she writes an account of her court life and the betrayal for which she seeks revenge. Taking place three thousand years ago, ancient Egypt's daily life and customs are woven into the story. In a world without soap and little water, natron served quite well. Gedge is able to get into the mind of the courtiers and their attitudes to their servants. While beneath the "masters", these "inferior" beings are very much a part of the family.
The mysterious Hathor, Thoth, Amun and Ma'at are part of the Egyptian pantheon. They enter the daily life of the characters and the mystery begins to make sense. Never again will the reader scoff at these queer religious notions. The harmony and truth Ma'at embodies guides Thu in seeking her revenge.
Customer Reviews:
not as good as lady of the reeds, but a sequal worth reading.......2006-05-22
Pauline Gedge is a wonderful writer. I would not have finished this book past the first few chapters had I not read Lady of the Reeds. That book was so good that I absolutly needed to know what would happen to Thu, so I stuck with it. It got a bit better, but I will not even compare it to the first. It seemed very forced, like Gedge was pressured to provide a sequal so she racked her brain and wote it in a week. I would recommend reading it if you were as captivated with Lady of the Reeds as I was, but if not, don't waste your time. Also, I didn't appriciate the changing speakers. Once I finally got used to her son speaking, the scribe does, which is painfully boring and irrelevent. I was relieved when she finally began to narrarate. I only cared about her story, and not the subplot involving her son which we were forced to endure. She even neglects to finish the story of her son and leaves us hanging on the conclusion to her own story. While I admit it left me thinking about it for hours, I would have preferred a solid ending instead of one that left me on edge. It was as though she was preparing for yet another bad sequal. How did everyone feel about Hui? Come to terms with that before you read this.
HOUSE OF ILLUSIONS.......2003-06-27
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR EGYTOPHILES. IT IS SET IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND HAS SO MANY DETAILS THAT YOU WONDER IF MS. GEDGE LIVED THERE. PAULINE GEDGE IS AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS WHEN IT COME TO BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT AND SHE IS NO SLOUCH IN THE SCIENCE FICTION DEPARTMENT EITHER---SO GOOD I READ IT 7 TIMES THUS FAR!
Amazing.......2002-11-23
When I read 'Lady of the reeds' and found out there was a second book following Thu's life, I never expected it to be this good, I got the book three days ago and I have to admit, it was very hard for me to put it down, I have to say Pauline Gedge did an amazing job, in her book you can feel the pain, passion and regrets involving Thu's life. I just have to say, you have to read this book, believe me, you won't regret it.
Not As Good As 'Lady Of The Reeds'.......2002-11-03
I got this book a week or so ago and while it is excellent I didn't find it as good as Lady Of The Reeds(published as House Of Dreams in Canada). The plot didn't seem as strong, and to me it was a little bit disconcerting having three parts (the first told by Kamen, the second by a scribe, and the third by Thu) inside the book.
It's still a good book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Gedge once again has painted a vivid image of Ancient Egypt and continued with the story of Thu. The plot was still griping, even if it didn't shine quite as brightly as Lady Of The Reeds, and the characters were well-written as usual. This book is worth buying, and the ending has an interesting twist.
Egypt Vividly Recreated.......2002-04-04
I LOVE Pauline Gedge's books about Egypt (as well as her other books). "Illusions" opens with the main character, Thu, a woman who has been banished to live alone in the desert, serving the priests in a temple there, because of an accusation that she attempted to kill Pharaoh when she lived at court. Thu wishes desperately to send a message to Pharaoh explaining what really happened, but she is never given the opportunity, until one day a young court officer arrives, and agrees to help her. Discovering that this is his mother, he helps her plot revenge on the group of people who set her up for the crime which caused her exile. In the process of intrigue, Thu does not always act wisely, and her character is not always admirable. Thus, though she is the heroine of the story, Thu is not necessarily lovable, but she is definitely fascinating. The plot is complex, involving all the characters that surround Pharaoh. The scenery, the buildings, the poorer sections of the city, the clothing, the feasts...everything... is so vividly described, that I am caught up in these images. This feeling of being transported there is reason enough to read Gedge's books, but combined with the drama and suspense, they are unforgettable.
Customer Reviews:
Ancient Egypt in all of the mystery and glamour that can be found.......2007-07-21
Continuing her epic, sprawling novels of intrigue and love in Ancient Egypt, Pauline Gedge moved onto the reign of Ramses III, who was dominated by harem politics and murder. Taking a little known story, the author infuses it with plenty of vitality and energy, creating a young woman who is very different from your standard heroine.
Growing up in the dirt-poor village of Aswat, Thu is mocked and laughed at by her friends for her grand airs, and belief in that she is a long-lost princess. The reality is that she is the daughter of a peasant midwife and a Libannyu mercenary. Indeed, the only thing that separates Thu from everyone around her is her fierce ambition to get as far away from her wretched village as she can, and the startling blue eyes that she has inherited from her father. Otherwise, she is simply yet another peasant with rough hands and a bleak future.
Then magic arrives overnight in the form of a nobleman?s barge, stopping over to pay homage to the shrine of the local god, Wepwawet. The visitor is Pharaoh?s Seer, the mysterious ? and menacing ? Hui. Thu, entranced, decides on a bold if risky maneuver. She will sneak onto the vessel and present herself to the Seer, and she will bewitch him with her young beauty and he will spirit her away to a life of luxury and wealth?
Of course, that's exactly what happens, but not quite in the way that Thu expects ? for the crimson-eyed, shrouded Hui has entirely different plans for Thu, and not all of them pleasant either. The relationship between the two of them is refreshingly different, and Thu is definitely a teenager here, all wild dreams and emotions, but yet with a careful cunning that makes her more than a match for her opponents.
I dislike first-person narrative novels, after a while, the I-I-I's get to me. But in this one, Pauline Gedge has crafted the novel from Thu's point of view, and it works. The book is carefully put together, blending together mystery, magic and romance into a mixture that draws the reader into first the village life of ancient Egypt then the exotic intrigue and splendor of the richest land in the ancient world. And despite Thu's foolishness and reckless disregard at times for others, I couldn't be angry with her long, viewing through her eyes a Cinderella story ? but it's not a fairy tale by any stretch of the imagination. There are princes and kings aplenty in this one, along with queens and concubines as Thu gets to know the new world that she is thrust into. We also get to see the world of the ancient physician, and the day-to-day life of a world far removed from our own.
Yes, it is a bit of a romance, but it?s neither silly nor dull, and the final outcome is anything but predictable. Indeed, I was kept wondering what would happen right up until the last page. There are not a lot of authors that can do that to me anymore. For a very different sort of historical novel, I recommend this one.
The best surprise, however, happened about a year later when I found out there was a sequel, House of Illusions, which tied up all the loose ends and gave a final ending to the story with quite a twist.
A Cinderella Story.......2007-03-24
This book is also titled "House of Dreams". (At least, my copy is.) It has a sequel just released. It is almost a Cinderella story of a peasant girl who becomes a favorite of the pharaoh in his harem. There are many not the usual romance. As with all of Ms Gedge's Egyptian books, the time and place and people are truly brought to life, more so I think than anyone else writing about ancient Egypt today.
Top Read.......2006-11-20
This is a truely fab book, I could not put it down.This is one of the best Egyptian novels I have ever read.One to read again and again.
captivating and intruguing.......2006-05-22
I would recommend this to all who love historical fiction. I was searching for an interesting historical fiction book about ancient egypt, which I found and more. It's writen in first person, which I usually find more meaningful. It's a little weak at first, but Gedge takes Thu through a life changing journey, one that never fails to hold your attention. I just had to sit down and finish this book one day because it was distracting me from life. I enjoyed learning about the anthropology of ancient egypt, and the only unbelieveable aspect to the book is Thu's remarkable transformation. As one reviewer said, she is "larger than life". It's not so noticable though that the book would be any less enjoyable. Gedge's gift is not for crafting charcaters that are so human or believeable, and normally that would be a drawback, but I think it was necessary to abandon that to make way for a more dramatic read.
Buy this with "House of illusions", I know when I finished it I wouldnt wait to start reading the lesser known sequal and it took forever for me to find it.
Gedge may be bad at genetics, but is a great writer non the less.......2006-01-05
This is the story of Thu, an improbably blue eyed Egyptian girl from the little town Aswat. I say improbable because the genetic trait for blue eyes is recessive, not dominate and therefore if Thu had one parent with brown eyes (which is dominate, and the case in the book) and one with blue, her eyes would still be brown. I am told that if three of her grandparents had blue eyes Thu could have blue eyes, but considering that her two grand parents on her mother's side were African, well, the odds aren't good. But that's a stupid complainant. Anyway, Thu has blue eyes, and because of them her life takes some strange turns.
Thu always wanted out of Aswat, and so when she was 14 and a seer came to consult the local god of war she swam out to his barge and offered her virginity if he would see into her future. The seer, Hui, who is an albino, refuses the offer of sex, by impressed by Thu's reading and writing ability, which her brother taught her, he takes her with her back home to be trained as a concubine for the Pharos harem. You see, Hui has a plan for the future of Egypt.
I actually thought this book was better written than the last Pauline Gedge book I read, the Eagle and the Raven, even though that book was more exciting. Gedge is really great at putting you inside Thu's headspace, and the terrible things she does for ambition seem reasonable. You feel her desperation to leave the sandy waste of a town where she was born, her true love of the Nile, her deep awe of her brother and Hui and her total humiliation and rage when she has her first sexual encounter with the Pharos.
So I give this book five stars, and I will be reading its sequel, House of Illusions.
Average customer rating:
- Stunning Chronicle Of The Life Of Ramesses The Great
- Usimare
- "Ramesses II" not "Rameses II"
- Detailed information about Ramses
|
Ramses II
T.G.H. James
Manufacturer: Friedman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Egypt
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Egypt
| Middle East
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Egypt
| Africa
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1586637193 |
Book Description
King Ramses II distinguished himself as a warrior, builder of magnificent monuments, and model for rulers to follow. Nothing will bring his life and times into sharper focus than this breathtaking volume, filled with oversize color photos--many rare--of the ancient temples, tombs, and statuary he had constructed. Among these awe-inspiring feats of art and engineering: the astonishing hall at Karnak in Thebes; his father's funerary temple on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, as well as one for himself, called the Ramesseum; and the rock hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Close-ups showcase the incredible decorative detail carved onto the stonework, while maps and blueprints provide a detailed layout of all the structures. From a look at this proud king's military achievements and personal life to his image in modern times, this is an unforgettable portrait of a legendary figure in an exquisitely printed gift edition.
ETERNAL EGYPT:
This spectacular exhibit presents 144 masterpieces from the British Museum, and will be touring the United States through early 2004. It includes colossal sculptures, mummy masks, vignettes from The Book of the Dead, and much more! Don't miss it when it travels to:
The Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City April 12-July 2, 2002
The Palace of the Legion of Honor, SF August 10-November 3, 2002
The Minneapolis Museum of Art December 22-March 16, 2003
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore September 21-January 4, 2004
Customer Reviews:
Stunning Chronicle Of The Life Of Ramesses The Great.......2004-11-01
Being an avid collector of any book related to Egyptian history I was still knocked over by this superb new volumne exploring the life and times of one of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs, Ramesses The Second of the Nineteenth Dynasty. Utilising all the latest in information about this legendary ruler of one of the worlds greatest ancient civilisations author TGH James weaves an informative, non bias account of this Pharaoh enriched by some of the most magnificent photography that has ever been seen in any work devoted to Ancient Egypt.
Having been long associated with the Egyptian Antiquities department of the British Museum the author is more than well qualified to talk on the life of Ramesses the Second and his lavish volumne spends time in the introductory chapters painting a picture of the lead up to Ramesses' reign through the Amarna Period and Tutankhamun to the life of his father the magnificent Pharaoh Sethos the First. Various chapters deal with specific periods of Ramesses life and are devoted to the period as a young prince in his father's kingdom through to his military activites as Pharaoh and in particular Ramesses' well chronciled clashes with the Hitties culminating in the Battle of Qadesh. Of great interest in the book is the research that has gone into reconstructing the complex family situation of Ramesses and fascinating chapters are spent creating vivid images of Ramesses' great royal wife Nefertari, the royal harem and his many children. Of particular interest is the research devoted to the foreign brides of Ramesses especially the two Hittite princesses who became the brides of Ramesses as a result of his lasting treaty with the Hittites.
Of course no work on Ramesses the Great would be complete without an examination of his great reputation as a builder and the volumne is rich in many previously unpublished photos documenting many of the works attributed to Ramesses the Second. Ample space is devoted to his elaborate work in the temples of Karnak and Luxor, his work at his new capital of Piramesse, the beautiful tomb in the Valley of the Queens created for his wife Nefertari and of course the two great temples at Abu Simbel. A particularly interesting amount of space in devoted to the grand and still not entirely excavated tomb of Ramesses' son's in the Valley of the Kings which contains a summary of some of the very latest finds from this rich and still not totally explored site. All these places illustrated in this book are accompanied by eye catching and extremely beautiful colour photographs more sumptous than I have seen in most works on Ancient Egypt. So vivid are most of them that they almost seem to transport you to the very temple of sculpture being discussed.
For any Egyptologist or lover of ancient civilisations "Rammesses 11", is unsurpassed reading of the first order filled with terrific information, stunning photography and much new information that really enables the reader to get a vivid picture of Ramesses the Great and Egypt at this time. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of history and of ancient art in particular, it is a true treasure that deserves a special place on any book lovers shelves.
Usimare.......2004-03-20
I couldn't wait to get this book and I wasn't disappointed. The photos are great and I highly recommend this book. Ramesses reign was magnificent. The building during his reign is unequalled. The Abu Simbel is absolutely fantastic,but there is so much more. He truly was the master builder. I love this book and it doesn't disappoint. Also,buy Tutankamun his other book.
"Ramesses II" not "Rameses II".......2003-01-09
In spite of misspelling the title of the book, Amazon.com makes available a large format publication that provides excellent viewing of fine photography and renderings. The details of wall reliefs and murals are rendered exquisitely and hilight otherwise missed opportunities to appreciate the finesse of ancient Egyptian artists. Mr. James' text is extremely readable and in writing the history of a notable king engages the reader in a variety of ways and maintains a high level of interest. A very worthwhile acquisition for anyone interested in ancient Egypt!
Detailed information about Ramses.......2002-11-13
This book is a detailed look into the life of Ramses II. Much has been written about Ramses by other authors, therefore, this was a pleasent surprise. T.G.H.James is one of the most outstanding and important egyptologists alive today. His newly published book on Ramses should be in every good egyptologists library.
Book Description
The temples of Abu Simbel have fascinated travelers since they became known to the Western world in the nineteenth century. And since the 1960s when the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam threatened to engulf the site, visitors' imaginations have been captivated by the elaborate international rescue operation, described by the author as ''a great moment that no one will ever forget: the most advanced technology of the twentieth century was used to save one of the most amazing achievements of a civilization that preceeded it by 3,300 years.''
Prepared by one of the world's best-known Egyptologists, Dr. Zahi Hawass, this lavishly illustrated book is the ideal companion on a visit to the unique monuments of Abu Simbel.
Customer Reviews:
A Must-Have book for amateur Egyptologists !.......2006-08-04
..... The world's top Egyptologist takes you to the most exciting temple in Egypt !!
..... Ever since my first trip to Egypt in 1985, Abu Simbal has been my favorite place. The huge temples carved out of the mountainside, (which were moved when the Aswan High Dam was built), are incredable works of art and architecture.
..... This book aptly illustrates the beauty of the 60 - foot states of Rameses the Great, and his beloved wife, Nefertari...and Dr. Zahi Hawass brings to life the stories depicted in the carvings inside the temples.
..... There are also the photos of the 4 statues in the sanctuary of the larger temple, which are illuminated by the rising sun twice a year....... Dr. Hawass, the Director of the Egyptian Antiquities Department, brilliantly captures the wonder of this event in this book.
..... If you can't get to Egypt, and Abu Simbal, in person, this book is the next best thing.
Mysteries of Abu Simbel.......2006-02-20
The book by Zahi Hawass has a lot of information packed into it which I was surprised for such a small (88 pgs) book. It covers the history of Seti I- Rameses II dynasty, the UNESCO project to protect the Nubian monuments in the 1960s. The Aswan High Dam, the temples given away and where they are today. What was moved - to where. Even the Nubian Museum which opened about 10 years ago. Many books were written on this topic before the work was done, it is good to find one that elaborates exactly what WAS done as opposed to advancing theories. Excellent book.
useful guide.......2002-05-08
This book is an introduction about Nubia, the region where Abu Simbel is located. The author describes and discusses the High Dam and the Unesco campaign to save the temples; he provides details concerning the Sound And Light project. He then provides a brief summary of Ramses II's life and family. Various sections of Nubian temples are briefly described. Hawass also discusses the architecture of two beautiful rock-cut temples, and examines scenes covering walls. Maps, plans, illustrations and color photographs complete this useful and enjoyable guide, recommended for everyone.
Book Description
The Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II is often referred to as Rameses the Great. He fully lived up to the "Great" part. His reign lasted for 67 years, the second longest in Egypt's 3,000-year history. He had dozens of wives and more than 100 children, outliving many of them. He was a military leader who expanded the borders of his country. That resulted in decades of peace and prosperity for his people. He ordered huge statues of himself to be erected all over Egypt. Many historians believe that he was the pharaoh of the Exodus, the epic journey that the Jewish people made out of Egypt under the inspired leadership of Moses. Even after death, he remained important. After his mummy was discovered late in the nineteenth century, it became one of Egypt's main tourist attractions. A military honor guard and important government officials witnessed the mummy when it was flown to Paris in 1976.
Average customer rating:
- It could be better
- A DEEP AND ENTERTAINED INSIGHT OF RAMESSIDE EGYPT
|
Everyday Life in Egypt in the Days of Ramesses The Great
Pierre Montet
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Egypt
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Egypt
| Middle East
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Egypt
| Africa
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0812211138 |
Book Description
Renowned for its accuracy and scope, this book conveys the richness and complexity of ancient Egyptian life. Our understanding of the lives of royalty and priests, artisans and professionals, peasants and slaves is enhanced by Montet's sensitive and insightful appreciation for the ancient Egyptians.
Customer Reviews:
It could be better.......2003-03-31
Texts are very interseting and helpful BUT the pictures are very poor quality.If you search for a book with colorful pictures about Egypt forget this book for ever.
A DEEP AND ENTERTAINED INSIGHT OF RAMESSIDE EGYPT.......2000-11-17
Although the original edition of Montet's book goes back to the '50, I consider that it still holds good for anyone interested in getting a deep insight of everyday life in Pharaonic Egypt under the reign of Ramesses Ii, especially now that the greatest king of Egypt jumped back to popularity after the amazing discovery of tomb KV 5 in Valley of the Kings. This title is well-organized and better written by the hand of one of the most notable French Egyptologists, so that you will not be disapointed. Informative and highly readable, it contains a lot of records from the most varied sources. Highly recommendable.
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