Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs [Hardcover]

Published to accompany the itinerant exhibition about the treasures of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and other outstanding Pharaohs, the "Tutankhamun the Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" book is now accompanying this exhibition at The Atlanta Civic Center. This exhibition is definitely worth a visit. Visitors can easily spend hours meandering through the rooms of the exhibition due to the high refinement of many artifacts on display. The audio guide available at the exhibition enhances the sensorial experience.

Readers will find in the first third of this book a high-level overview of the 3000-year history of Ancient Egypt. The longevity of this civilization is unmatched to this day. Renowned Egyptologists such as Zahi Hawass, David Silverman, Betsy Bryan, and Donald Redford usually succeed at rendering the history of Ancient Egypt accessible to all. This first section would definitely benefit from a time line, a glossary of the most commonly used terms in Egyptology, and a more detailed map of the ancient sites mentioned in this section. The simplistic time line of Ancient Egypt reproduced at the end of this book does not bear the comparison with the comprehensive, graphical time line of this ancient civilization that stands on a wall at the entrance to the exhibition. Furthermore, some sites mentioned in this section do not appear on the map reproduced at the beginning of the book.

The rest of the book is mainly dedicated to a reproduction of the artifacts that are part of the itinerant exhibition. Photographer Sandro Vannini has realized a tour de force in allowing the readers of this book to truly visualize the splendor of many artifacts. The aggrandized rendering of some pieces of jewelry and other objects makes it possible for the audience to see more than what human eyes can see during the exhibition. At the end of this book, Egyptologist Hawass gives the readers an overview of some discoveries that were made in Egypt recently. However, Ancient Egypt still has many secrets to reveal. To paraphrase Doctor Hawass, about 30% of Egyptian monuments have been discovered and about 70% are still covered by sand.

As a side note, the sub-optimal vigilance that I observed during my recent visit to this exhibition was disconcerting. The artifacts that belonged mostly to the Heads of State of Ancient Egypt and their respective families deserve more respect than what I witnessed at this occasion.

I purchased this book before I attended the exhibit in Seattle, expecting to save money and get a chance to learn more about the exhibit beforehand. I was VERY surprised to see it on sale in the gift shop for ONLY $12.00! So, if you're going to the exhibit in Seattle buy the book there not at Amazon.

Oh, the exhibit was fantastic. If you'd like to avoid the crowds, go on a weekday, early in the day and early in the week.

The book was in such poor shape I did not want to even touch it. I am amazed it was sent out in that condition. I had to return it.