Egyptomania
Egyptomania

Author: Bob Brier

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2013-11-12

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 113740146X

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“A delightful romp through key formative events that shaped our popular passion for all things ancient Egyptian.” —Peter Der Manuelian, Professor of Egyptology, Harvard University When the Romans conquered Egypt, it was really Egypt that conquered the Romans. Cleopatra captivated both Caesar and Marc Antony and soon Roman ladies were worshipping Isis and wearing vials of Nile water around their necks. In this book, renowned Egyptologist Bob Brierexplores our three-thousand-year-old fascination with all things Egyptian—from ancient times to Napoleon’s Egypt Campaign, the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb, and beyond. In this original and groundbreaking book, Brier traces our fascination with mummies that seem to have cheated death and the iconic pyramids that have stood strong for millennia. He also includes twenty-four pages of color photos from his impressive collection of Egyptian memorabilia, which includes everything from Napoleon’s twenty volume Egypt encyclopedia to archeologist Howard Carter’s letters written as he was excavating the Valley of the Kings.

Cleopatra's Needles
Cleopatra's Needles

Author: Bob Brier

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2016-04-21

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 1474242944

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In the half-century between 1831 and 1881 three massive obelisks left Egypt for new lands. Prior to these journeys, the last large obelisk moved was the Vatican obelisk in 1586 – one of the great engineering achievements of the Renaissance. Roman emperors moved more than a dozen, but left no records of how they did it. The nineteenth-century engineers entrusted with transporting the obelisks across oceans had to invent new methods, and they were far from certain that they would work. As the three obelisks, bound for Paris, London and New York, sailed towards their new homes, the world held its breath. Newspapers reported the obelisks' daily progress, complete with dramatic illustrations of the heroic deeds of the engineers and crews struggling under nearly impossible conditions. When the obelisks finally arrived safely in their new homes, bands played Cleopatra's Needle Waltz and silver obelisk pencils dangled from fashionable ladies' necks. This turbulent era, caught up in obelisk mania, is recreated by Bob Brier in all its glory. Amid astounding tales of engineering dexterity and naval endurance, the individuals involved in transporting the obelisks and receiving them in their future homes are brought to life through their letters and diaries, newspaper articles and illustrations. Written by a renowned Egyptologist and author, this compelling book will fascinate all those interested in Egypt, its iconic monuments and the history of great endeavour.