Midlist Writer: Book Review: A History of Ancient Egypt by Nicolas Grimal

Monday 14 December 2015

Book Review: A History of Ancient Egypt by Nicolas Grimal

A History of Ancient Egypt

A History of Ancient Egypt by Nicolas Grimal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You know those books that you find kind of dull but you can't put down because they're teaching you so much you want to learn? This was one of those books for me. This is a detailed history of Ancient Egypt from the Predynastic Period until the end of the Late Period. Emphasis is on royalty and their great works of architecture. While this is all fascinating, I could have used more information about regular people, the economy, technology, and all the other aspects of this complex civilization.
I could have also used prose that was less dry, maps that were more complete, and more explanation of terms to lessen confusion.
That said, I couldn't put this book down. There was so much information packed in its dense type that I was learning several things I didn't know on every page, and I have a Masters in archaeology. Granted, my focus was early medieval Europe, but I've still read a lot of Egyptology. This is not a book for the lay reader, but rather someone who has done a fair amount of reading.
If you're looking for a good intro to Ancient Egypt, this is not it. If you have some knowledge and want to learn more, try this out.

View all my reviews

2 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...: Sean--I am taking Cathy Hall's "challenge," so I'm taking this opportunity to thank all my blogging colleagues. I appreciate you taking your followers on trips all over the world. I thank you for your reflections, along with how prolific you are. You're able to write (and finish and get published) more books than anybody I know.

Thanks, Sean--and I hope 2016 is the best year ever for you and your family.; 18 December 2015 at 04:35
Sean McLachlan said...: Thank you for reading! I'll have plenty more from Morocco and a few other places in the coming year!; 18 December 2015 at 07:07

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