Completed: 2/24/2023
Recommendation: Not Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody
Review:
If you are an archaeologist, this is probably not written at a level of scholarly expertise you would find useful. If you are not an archaeologist, this book is very dry despite the author's efforts to "bring to life" these rulers. I learned some interesting things--most notably that the bust of Nefertiti was really just a practice head to help sculptors practice setting eyes, but nothing particularly shocking. If you are a Christian or Jew wondering if Akhenaten was worshipping the one true God, you will be disappointed (he considered himself a God on Earth, which might have resonance for Christians, but would likely be considered blasphemy by both religions). I like that the scientists who wrote this were clear about what was speculation and what was less speculation. I like that they were comfortable describing how little they did know and how amazed they were by the details they did after 3,000 years. It helps make the book more approachable by most people who know nothing but what the scholars share.
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