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The Encyclopedia of Mummies by Bob Brier
Everything you ever wanted to know about what mummies are, who they were, and how they came to be mummies.
Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
95 people want to read
About the author
Bob Brier
32 books170 followersRobert Brier (born December 13, 1943), also known as Mr. Mummy, is an American Egyptologist specializing in paleopathology. A Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University/LIU Post, he has researched and published on mummies and the mummification process and has appeared in many Discovery Civilization documentaries, primarily on ancient Egypt.
Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Brier earned his bachelor's degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York. From 1966 to 1970, he was on the research staff of the Institute of Parapsychology (formerly the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man) in Durham, North Carolina, where he worked on such books as Parapsychology Today and Test Your ESP. He earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970 and began teaching at Long Island University in 1972. He served as chairman of the philosophy department from 1981 to 1996 and has also served as the director of the National Endowment for the Humanities' "Egyptology Today" program. He was appointed Senior Research Fellow at LIU Post in 2004. In addition to his career at Long Island University, Brier has taught ancient Egyptian at The New School and Egyptology at Webb Institute for many years.
Brier has conducted research in mummification practices worldwide. He has investigated well-known mummies such as Tutankhamen, Ramses the Great, Vladimir Lenin, Eva Perón (more commonly known as Evita), and the Medici family.
In 1994, Brier and a colleague, Ronald Wade, director of the State Anatomy Board of Maryland, claimed to be the first people in 2,000 years to mummify a human cadaver using ancient Egyptian techniques. This research earned Brier the affectionate nickname "Mr. Mummy" and was also the subject of the National Geographic television special of the same name, which made him a household name. He is also the host of several television programmes for the TLC Network including The Great Egyptians, Pyramids, Mummies and Tombs, and Mummy Detective. His research has been featured in Archaeology Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, 60 Minutes and 20/20.
In 1999, Brier gave a series of 48 specially-prepared lectures entitled "The History of Ancient Egypt" for The Teaching Company. He later did another series of 12 lectures for them, focusing on "Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt". Brier is a recipient of Long Island University's David Newton award for Teaching Excellence.
He leads tours to Egypt for Far Horizons Archaeological and Cultural trips.
Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Brier earned his bachelor's degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York. From 1966 to 1970, he was on the research staff of the Institute of Parapsychology (formerly the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man) in Durham, North Carolina, where he worked on such books as Parapsychology Today and Test Your ESP. He earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970 and began teaching at Long Island University in 1972. He served as chairman of the philosophy department from 1981 to 1996 and has also served as the director of the National Endowment for the Humanities' "Egyptology Today" program. He was appointed Senior Research Fellow at LIU Post in 2004. In addition to his career at Long Island University, Brier has taught ancient Egyptian at The New School and Egyptology at Webb Institute for many years.
Brier has conducted research in mummification practices worldwide. He has investigated well-known mummies such as Tutankhamen, Ramses the Great, Vladimir Lenin, Eva Perón (more commonly known as Evita), and the Medici family.
In 1994, Brier and a colleague, Ronald Wade, director of the State Anatomy Board of Maryland, claimed to be the first people in 2,000 years to mummify a human cadaver using ancient Egyptian techniques. This research earned Brier the affectionate nickname "Mr. Mummy" and was also the subject of the National Geographic television special of the same name, which made him a household name. He is also the host of several television programmes for the TLC Network including The Great Egyptians, Pyramids, Mummies and Tombs, and Mummy Detective. His research has been featured in Archaeology Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, 60 Minutes and 20/20.
In 1999, Brier gave a series of 48 specially-prepared lectures entitled "The History of Ancient Egypt" for The Teaching Company. He later did another series of 12 lectures for them, focusing on "Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt". Brier is a recipient of Long Island University's David Newton award for Teaching Excellence.
He leads tours to Egypt for Far Horizons Archaeological and Cultural trips.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 7, 2021
Dr. Bob Brier is definitely an expert on mummies, and in this encyclopedia he shares his enthusiasm. He covers mummies worldwide, as well as in fiction and movies. What's not to like about a book that starts with a review of "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy"?
September 30, 2023
You will get wrapped up reading “The Encyclopedia of Mummies”
I found this book when researching stories and movies such as “The Jewel of the Seven Stars” written by Bram Stoker (1947 - 1912) and made into the movie “The Awakening” with Charlton Hesston.
This is truly an encyclopedia and is well cross-referenced as you can find the information by looking up the movie “The Mummy” or Boris Karloff. The well-endowed index even has Im-ho-tep.
I tried to stump the book looking for obscure information. Sometimes I win but more often than not find the information I never thought to find.
There are several black and white stills of factious and real mummies.
There is also an extensive bibliography that will empty your coffers and fill your library.
The book is a tad dated but so are the mummies. I hope that there will be an updated version of this book with later movies and finds.
I found this book when researching stories and movies such as “The Jewel of the Seven Stars” written by Bram Stoker (1947 - 1912) and made into the movie “The Awakening” with Charlton Hesston.
This is truly an encyclopedia and is well cross-referenced as you can find the information by looking up the movie “The Mummy” or Boris Karloff. The well-endowed index even has Im-ho-tep.
I tried to stump the book looking for obscure information. Sometimes I win but more often than not find the information I never thought to find.
There are several black and white stills of factious and real mummies.
There is also an extensive bibliography that will empty your coffers and fill your library.
The book is a tad dated but so are the mummies. I hope that there will be an updated version of this book with later movies and finds.
October 11, 2023
You will get wrapped up reading “The Encyclopedia of Mummies.”
I found this book when researching stories and movies such as “The Jewel of the Seven Stars” written by Bram Stoker (1947 - 1912) and made into the movie “The Awakening” with Charlton Hesston.
This is truly an encyclopedia and is well cross-referenced as you can find the information by looking up the movie “The Mummy” or Boris Karloff. The well-endowed index even has Im-ho-tep.
I tried to stump the book looking for obscure information. Sometimes I win but more often than not find the information I never thought to find.
There are several black and white stills of factious and real mummies.
There is also an extensive bibliography that will empty your coffers and fill your library.
The book is a tad dated but so are the mummies. I hope that there will be an updated version of this book with later movies and finds.
I found this book when researching stories and movies such as “The Jewel of the Seven Stars” written by Bram Stoker (1947 - 1912) and made into the movie “The Awakening” with Charlton Hesston.
This is truly an encyclopedia and is well cross-referenced as you can find the information by looking up the movie “The Mummy” or Boris Karloff. The well-endowed index even has Im-ho-tep.
I tried to stump the book looking for obscure information. Sometimes I win but more often than not find the information I never thought to find.
There are several black and white stills of factious and real mummies.
There is also an extensive bibliography that will empty your coffers and fill your library.
The book is a tad dated but so are the mummies. I hope that there will be an updated version of this book with later movies and finds.
December 4, 2009
I just found this treasure this weekend. Written by my favorite Egyptologist/Bookseller :) It is great so far. Covers all things Mummy, lots of hidden gems in this one! It covers interesting, funny, and gruesome mummy tidbits. I think this is a book I will enjoy reading and love to have around to peruse on occasion!
August 11, 2008
This book was great fun, moderately informative, and basically brain candy.
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June 2, 2014It was awesome!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews