Re-opened to turists since a few years ago, the mastabas of Qar and Idu at Giza, dated to the Sixth Dynasty, are among the most interesting and wonderful ones. This edition - being vol. 2 of the series "Giza Mastabas" from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - is the definitive one about these two sepulchres, which characterize by their unusual statues, as well as for certain very detailed scenes of the funerary retinue that accompany the defunct to the necropolis. Certainly they rank among the finest in this cemetery and from that late date. Top-ten title!

The tomb-chapel of Sekhemankhptah is known since the days of famous A. Mariette (who registered it as O41) and it was acquired by the MFA-Boston about the turn of our century. None the less, this is the first complete edition of the same, including full translation of the texts and drawings (by N. Thayer and S.E. Chapman) and photographs. This chapel is well-known among scholars because of its version of "The Song of the Herdsman" and its agricultural depictions, which ranks among the best-quality ones from the Vth dynasty. Recommendable for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian monuments, art and everyday life insights.

This is a dense book -- what I mean is that is has a lot of material, a lot of images, and it is rather small print. This version has "new materials" from William Kelly Simpson but it is currently 20+ years old so I'd not recommend it for a new class or serious study -- things do change in the study of the ancient world as new discoveries, new techniques, and new theories develop. However, if you just want basic, great images, ad chronological order to the study of art and architecture it is perfectly fine for these purposes. I used it extensively when I was studying ancient Egypt back at Columbia University.

As always, the reprint of this title should be warmly welcomed. This is a high-standart, much authoritative text on Egyptian art from its origins down to the sunset of Egypt's glorious pharaonic civilization. It is not only well-writen but also furnished with lavishing plates and a lot of figures, which constitute a wealth of information. Not only for Egyptologists and Egyptofans, but for anybody interested in learning seriously about the treasures of art and architecture in the Nile Valley. Highly recommendable.

Many art and architectural treasures survive from Ancient Egypt. This book offers 400 illustrations of such treasures from the fourth millennium B.C. to the conquest of Alexander the Great. The author examines Ancient Egyptian tombs, temples, palaces, decorations, and many other works of art. A recommended book for the interested student of art and of Egyptology.

I should say that the edition that I bought only last year, the new edition, is from 1973 and may not be exactly like the revised edition. My interest in these writings arose from an understanding that they had a not intangible effect on Biblical literature. But although I feel bad giving this book only 3 stars I should explain that there are reasons for this. First is that many of the stories, etc. are fragmentary or missing the entire beginning, end or both. If they were all complete it would get at least 4. The other reason is the often obscure quality of the readings, which is purely a function of our not getting enough exposure to books like this. Mostly if the story was complete, it was very enjoyable, but if broken up and missing parts, it seemed useless to the general reader. So I cannot say that the low rating is due in any way to the fault of the editors or translators. Other than that it was a charming array of tales and advice that is every bit as good as Biblical literature.

This is a great book to add to your Egyptian Literature library. It contains many narratives, stories, lamentations, and poetry which can also be found in the three volume set by Miriam Lichtheim. Although many 'stories' are fragmentary - it is not THAT excessive. The editors have provided footnotes and commentaries on the missing parts of the stories, which attempt to explain the missing parts. Each 'story' starts with a commentary, and is followed by the text. Some pieces include: "Shipwrecked Sailor", "Story of Sinuhe", "Tale of the Doomed Prince", "Contendings of Horus and Seth", "Truth and Falsehood", "Teaching for Merikare", "Maxims of Ptahhotpe", "The Man Who Was Tired of Life", "Instruction of Amenemope", "Hymn to the Aten", "Instruction of a Man for His Son".