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Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
A fascinating, erudite, and witty glimpse of the human side of ancient Egypt—this acclaimed classic work is now revised and updated for a new generation
Displaying the unparalleled descriptive power, unerring eye for fascinating detail, keen insight, and trenchant wit that have made the novels she writes (as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels) perennial New York Times bestsellers, internationally renowned Egyptologist Barbara Mertz brings a long-buried civilization to vivid life. In Red Land, Black Land, she transports us back thousands of years and immerses us in the sights, aromas, and sounds of day-to-day living in the legendary desert realm that was ancient Egypt.
Who were these people whose civilization has inspired myriad films, books, artwork, myths, and dreams, and who built astonishing monuments that still stagger the imagination five thousand years later? What did average Egyptians eat, drink, wear, gossip about, and aspire to? What were their amusements, their beliefs, their attitudes concerning religion, childrearing, nudity, premarital sex? Mertz ushers us into their homes, workplaces, temples, and palaces to give us an intimate view of the everyday worlds of the royal and commoner alike. We observe priests and painters, scribes and pyramid builders, slaves, housewives, and queens—and receive fascinating tips on how to perform tasks essential to ancient Egyptian living, from mummification to making papyrus.
An eye-opening and endlessly entertaining companion volume to Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, Mertz's extraordinary history of ancient Egypt, Red Land, Black Land offers readers a brilliant display of rich description and fascinating edification. It brings us closer than ever before to the people of a great lost culture that was so different from—yet so surprisingly similar to—our own.
432 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 1, 1967
413 people are currently reading
3207 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Mertz
5 books231 followersBarbara Mertz (September 29, 1927 – August 8, 2013) was an American author who wrote under her own name as well as under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels.
Barbara G. Mertz studied at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, receiving an M.A. in 1950 and a Ph.D. in Egyptology in 1952. In 1950 she married Richard Mertz and had two children, Elizabeth and Peter. She was divorced in 1969. A past president of American Crime Writers League, she served on the Editorial Advisory Board of KMT, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt. She was also a member of the Egypt Exploration Society and the James Henry Breasted Circle of the Oriental Institute. Under her own name she was the author of Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs, A Popular history of Ancient Egypt and Red Land, Black Land, Daily Life in Ancient Egypt. Under her pseudonym as Barbara Michaels she has written twenty nine novels of suspense. As Elizabeth Peters, she has produced thirty seven mystery-suspense novels, many of them set in Egypt and the Middle East.
Dr. Mertz was awarded a D.H.L. from Hood College in 1989. The Mystery Writers of America awarded her the MWA Grandmaster in 1998. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic and the Grandmaster Award from Bouchercon.
Barbara G. Mertz studied at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, receiving an M.A. in 1950 and a Ph.D. in Egyptology in 1952. In 1950 she married Richard Mertz and had two children, Elizabeth and Peter. She was divorced in 1969. A past president of American Crime Writers League, she served on the Editorial Advisory Board of KMT, A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt. She was also a member of the Egypt Exploration Society and the James Henry Breasted Circle of the Oriental Institute. Under her own name she was the author of Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs, A Popular history of Ancient Egypt and Red Land, Black Land, Daily Life in Ancient Egypt. Under her pseudonym as Barbara Michaels she has written twenty nine novels of suspense. As Elizabeth Peters, she has produced thirty seven mystery-suspense novels, many of them set in Egypt and the Middle East.
Dr. Mertz was awarded a D.H.L. from Hood College in 1989. The Mystery Writers of America awarded her the MWA Grandmaster in 1998. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic and the Grandmaster Award from Bouchercon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
June 27, 2016
The blurb might say "delightfully personal style" but that's because it's advertising. I seriously don't want to hear irrelevant personal opinions and interjections such as 'one day I'm going to get that piece of furniture copied' from an author who considers herself an academic Egyptologist. Nor do I want conjectures about why such an advanced civilization had no military tactics or training whatsoever. Of course they did. Just because no trace of something is found doesn't mean it didn't happen. They conquered Kush and other lands just by sending a rag tag band of untrained soldiers to the front and told them shoot arrows and stab anyone? I don't think so.
I read some books late last year, the TTC lectures on ancient history and there is quite a lot that contradicts this author. Firstly she says that women were by and large illiterate. The TTC lectures say that there was 80% literacy among women. Many shopping lists on papyrus have been found. You really think that men wrote out shopping lists for the illiterate women to take to the market and thrust at what must have been male traders to read for them? Makes no sense.
Nine chapters of this I have suffered through. No more. It's just too personal, not scholarly enough and she presents evidence when it suits her and opinions when it doesn't. Barbara Metz, is better known as the author Elizabeth Peters, she of the mysteries set in ancient Egypt and also as the novelist Barbara Michaels. As far as I am concerned, she should stick to exercising her imagination in fiction.
I read some books late last year, the TTC lectures on ancient history and there is quite a lot that contradicts this author. Firstly she says that women were by and large illiterate. The TTC lectures say that there was 80% literacy among women. Many shopping lists on papyrus have been found. You really think that men wrote out shopping lists for the illiterate women to take to the market and thrust at what must have been male traders to read for them? Makes no sense.
Nine chapters of this I have suffered through. No more. It's just too personal, not scholarly enough and she presents evidence when it suits her and opinions when it doesn't. Barbara Metz, is better known as the author Elizabeth Peters, she of the mysteries set in ancient Egypt and also as the novelist Barbara Michaels. As far as I am concerned, she should stick to exercising her imagination in fiction.
October 7, 2018
Continuing my recent Barbara Mertz explorations. I'd not read her nonfiction before. Excellent, mm, brief social history of life in ancient Egypt, starting at birth and ending with death, although the nature of the archeology makes it backloaded on the death end. Very nice change from the sorts of histories that consist of king lists, politics, and more drearily repetitive war chronicles than a shonen anime. It has also a guide to further reading at the end that sounds pretty enticing, curated I have no doubt to screen out the goofball stuff. I see she also has a companion volume, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs that apparently contains more chronological history, which might also be a good place to jump from here.
I was glad to find this updated e-edition at my public library, instant large print on my tablet.
Ta, L.
February 13, 2011
When I was in Sixth Grade, we did a unit on Ancient Egypt. All these years and it took me until today to realize that it was the same time as the King Tut exhibit came to NY (the first time). Well, I was hooked and told everyone that I was going to be an Egyptologist. I still have a book from back then called "The Splendor that was Egypt." In Junior High, at some point I was allowed to pick any topic for my English paper. Naturally enough, like any teenage girl would, I wrote a paper entitled "Rituals of Death in Ancient Egypt." I still wonder what on earth my English teacher must have thought about that one. I went to visit my grandmother in Miami around the same time (7th or 8th grade) and I remember her taking me to the library and my taking out these huge museum books on Ancient Egypt. I sat at the pool in the heat with the plastic dust jacket covers sticking to my legs. All the old folks came over to find out what I was doing and they must have thought me as strange as my English teacher did.
The interest faded over time but perhaps a rush of nostalgia led me to Mertz. I don't remember reading it when I was young but if not, I'm surprised I never did. She has a fun, debunking style to her writing-making affectionate fun of the tendency of Egyptologists to see facts where there is only possibility. "[W]e enjoy our fantasies immensely," she writes, "particularly when we label them 'theories' and get into exciting arguments with other archaeologists." She is a "just the facts ma'am" Egyptologist but with a smile. She shares all the evidence for and against theories and makes it clear what is actually known as opposed to what is hoped for or guessed at.
My favorite section was her explanation of magic in Ancient Egypt. It is a very good discussion of how to see things as they did, rather than as we do (magic, science and religion not being seen as separate, for instance). Overall this is a very good introduction to life in Ancient Egypt.
The interest faded over time but perhaps a rush of nostalgia led me to Mertz. I don't remember reading it when I was young but if not, I'm surprised I never did. She has a fun, debunking style to her writing-making affectionate fun of the tendency of Egyptologists to see facts where there is only possibility. "[W]e enjoy our fantasies immensely," she writes, "particularly when we label them 'theories' and get into exciting arguments with other archaeologists." She is a "just the facts ma'am" Egyptologist but with a smile. She shares all the evidence for and against theories and makes it clear what is actually known as opposed to what is hoped for or guessed at.
My favorite section was her explanation of magic in Ancient Egypt. It is a very good discussion of how to see things as they did, rather than as we do (magic, science and religion not being seen as separate, for instance). Overall this is a very good introduction to life in Ancient Egypt.
September 22, 2025
Elizabeth Peters gained her popular renown through her mysteries involving the archeologists looking for artifacts of ancient Egypt. I have enjoyed at least half a dozen of them. But that was a pseudonym for Barbara G. Mertz who did her scholarship at one of the most renown places, the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.
Many of my GR friends know that I have a thirst for history, but more specifically, understanding what everyday life was like in those times. This is why I am delighted to have found this book.
This is not a work for scholarly journals, so Mertz can comment easily upon herself and others. There is a lot open to question because a “dictionary” or “encyclopedia” has never been found and may not have existed. Thus…"The word that is usually translated as “concubine” may mean something quite different from our modern notion of that term. Here again the evidence is confusing because the Egyptians didn’t bother to explain what they meant."
"Books on ancient Egypt often give the reader a misleading impression, presenting hypotheses as if they were facts and possibilities as if they were certainties. Some of this is inevitable; one cannot explain in painful detail the evidential background for every statement. But the most reliable books are loaded with boring words like “probably” and “perhaps” and “possibly” scholars avoid “maybe” for stylistic reasons, but it should be prefixed to at least 50 percent of the statements made in any book on Egypt—including this one."
Mertz starts her description of daily life by taking us on a journey upstream on the Nile River during the reign of Ramses II. We begin in the fertile lands and see how Egyptian Empire has been built and maintained. But the journey is told with both her historian’s attention to details and a lot of humorous encounters.
"There are forty miles of rapids, with more forts along the way. The region to the south, Upper Nubia, or Cush, was invaded by several warrior pharaohs, but it refused to stay conquered. We decide not to go on; we are five hundred years too early for the pyramids of Napata and Meroe, which will be built by the descendants of the wretched Cushites whom the commander of Buhen has just mentioned with such sneering condescension. He seems like a pleasant fellow; we need not tell him that within a few centuries the wretched Cushites will be on their way north to take over the throne of Egypt."
Mertz has no reluctance to take up “women’s issues:”
"Women were equal to men in their chance of immortality too, and that was a very important “right” to an Egyptian. Like her husband and father, a woman could become an Osiris, receive offerings, and even furnish a tomb. Usually a wife shared her husband’s “House of Eternity,” but there are a number of tombs, not all of them royal, designed solely for women, and hundreds of women’s coffins, ushebtis, “Books of the Dead,” and other funerary equipment. Oddly enough, the husband almost never appears in his wife’s tomb, and in some male tombs the wife is replaced by the chap’s mother. It will not surprise you to hear that Egyptologists are still arguing about the reasons…. "We have seen what the rights of women were. What were their obligations? “To be a fertile field for their lords” for one thing—to present them with children, preferably sons. Although other duties are seldom specifically named, naturally a wife was expected to tend to her husband’s comfort, prepare his food, keep his house and clothing in order, and be a good mother to his children. If her husband was a farmer she helped in the fields; wives of officials and “businessmen” often managed their husbands’ affairs when the men had to leave home temporarily. In the humbler house holds women were kept busy grinding grain, baking bread and brewing beer, weaving and making clothing. However, nobody expected them to fix electrical appliances, unstop a drain, discuss politics, drive a car, or be an expert on dietetics, child psychology, interior decoration, bridge, and educational theory."
Mertz writing may not appeal to all. There is a blend of the historian and the personal. She is determined to give equal focus to men and women of the Egyptian past. This sometimes includes some interesting conflation, or at least comparison, with more modern times. For example:
“The Egyptian lady’s version of our “good basic black dress,” suitable for all occasions, was a form-fitting garment which went from below the breasts down to the ankles. Wide straps ran over the shoulders, covering the bosom but leaving a deep décolletage. This dress is often worn by women in statues and painted reliefs, but the casual observer might not recognize it at once, owing to the conventions of Egyptian drawing, which have trouble with female anatomy. Usually one breast is shown in profile and the other is indicated only by a neat round nipple in some arbitrarily selected spot. The straps of the dress, however, are shown in front view, so that they look like the topless bathing suit straps of a few years ago. We know they weren’t actually worn that way by the statues which show the same garment. In both statues and paintings it is sometimes hard to make out the dress at all, except as a pair of straps and an incised line for the hem. The dress must have been designed to fit the figure as tightly as possible, and it may have been stylish to make it of thin material. A becoming style for the slim and graceful, but I wonder how plump ladies felt about it? They could at least cover themselves with a mantle, which would have been comfortable on cool evenings. It could be draped to suit the fancy of the owner—over one shoulder and under the other arm, or wrapped around the shoulders like a shawl or a stole.”
For me, this heightens the value of this book, but it may do the opposite for other readers.
Many of my GR friends know that I have a thirst for history, but more specifically, understanding what everyday life was like in those times. This is why I am delighted to have found this book.
This is not a work for scholarly journals, so Mertz can comment easily upon herself and others. There is a lot open to question because a “dictionary” or “encyclopedia” has never been found and may not have existed. Thus…"The word that is usually translated as “concubine” may mean something quite different from our modern notion of that term. Here again the evidence is confusing because the Egyptians didn’t bother to explain what they meant."
"Books on ancient Egypt often give the reader a misleading impression, presenting hypotheses as if they were facts and possibilities as if they were certainties. Some of this is inevitable; one cannot explain in painful detail the evidential background for every statement. But the most reliable books are loaded with boring words like “probably” and “perhaps” and “possibly” scholars avoid “maybe” for stylistic reasons, but it should be prefixed to at least 50 percent of the statements made in any book on Egypt—including this one."
Mertz starts her description of daily life by taking us on a journey upstream on the Nile River during the reign of Ramses II. We begin in the fertile lands and see how Egyptian Empire has been built and maintained. But the journey is told with both her historian’s attention to details and a lot of humorous encounters.
"There are forty miles of rapids, with more forts along the way. The region to the south, Upper Nubia, or Cush, was invaded by several warrior pharaohs, but it refused to stay conquered. We decide not to go on; we are five hundred years too early for the pyramids of Napata and Meroe, which will be built by the descendants of the wretched Cushites whom the commander of Buhen has just mentioned with such sneering condescension. He seems like a pleasant fellow; we need not tell him that within a few centuries the wretched Cushites will be on their way north to take over the throne of Egypt."
Mertz has no reluctance to take up “women’s issues:”
"Women were equal to men in their chance of immortality too, and that was a very important “right” to an Egyptian. Like her husband and father, a woman could become an Osiris, receive offerings, and even furnish a tomb. Usually a wife shared her husband’s “House of Eternity,” but there are a number of tombs, not all of them royal, designed solely for women, and hundreds of women’s coffins, ushebtis, “Books of the Dead,” and other funerary equipment. Oddly enough, the husband almost never appears in his wife’s tomb, and in some male tombs the wife is replaced by the chap’s mother. It will not surprise you to hear that Egyptologists are still arguing about the reasons…. "We have seen what the rights of women were. What were their obligations? “To be a fertile field for their lords” for one thing—to present them with children, preferably sons. Although other duties are seldom specifically named, naturally a wife was expected to tend to her husband’s comfort, prepare his food, keep his house and clothing in order, and be a good mother to his children. If her husband was a farmer she helped in the fields; wives of officials and “businessmen” often managed their husbands’ affairs when the men had to leave home temporarily. In the humbler house holds women were kept busy grinding grain, baking bread and brewing beer, weaving and making clothing. However, nobody expected them to fix electrical appliances, unstop a drain, discuss politics, drive a car, or be an expert on dietetics, child psychology, interior decoration, bridge, and educational theory."
Mertz writing may not appeal to all. There is a blend of the historian and the personal. She is determined to give equal focus to men and women of the Egyptian past. This sometimes includes some interesting conflation, or at least comparison, with more modern times. For example:
“The Egyptian lady’s version of our “good basic black dress,” suitable for all occasions, was a form-fitting garment which went from below the breasts down to the ankles. Wide straps ran over the shoulders, covering the bosom but leaving a deep décolletage. This dress is often worn by women in statues and painted reliefs, but the casual observer might not recognize it at once, owing to the conventions of Egyptian drawing, which have trouble with female anatomy. Usually one breast is shown in profile and the other is indicated only by a neat round nipple in some arbitrarily selected spot. The straps of the dress, however, are shown in front view, so that they look like the topless bathing suit straps of a few years ago. We know they weren’t actually worn that way by the statues which show the same garment. In both statues and paintings it is sometimes hard to make out the dress at all, except as a pair of straps and an incised line for the hem. The dress must have been designed to fit the figure as tightly as possible, and it may have been stylish to make it of thin material. A becoming style for the slim and graceful, but I wonder how plump ladies felt about it? They could at least cover themselves with a mantle, which would have been comfortable on cool evenings. It could be draped to suit the fancy of the owner—over one shoulder and under the other arm, or wrapped around the shoulders like a shawl or a stole.”
For me, this heightens the value of this book, but it may do the opposite for other readers.
August 24, 2020
Това е по всяка вероятност идеалната книга да навлезете в материята за Древен Египет.
Доказала се с времето и неостаряла (в тези пропорции на история, бавно се остарява).
Към опитния научно-исторически глас, авторката прибавя приятен разказвачески стил. Това е формулата, която следва всички пишещи в този жанр да търсят. Това в случай, че искат стойностните изследователски работи да стигнат до по-широка публика.
В книгата ще "видим" как протича животът на обикновените египтяни, а също и на знатните. А също и на боговете. Доста внимание е обърнато на езика, може би малко по-малко на другите теми като войните и строителството. Адмирирам подхода и препоръчвам, на когото темата му е интересна.
Доказала се с времето и неостаряла (в тези пропорции на история, бавно се остарява).
Към опитния научно-исторически глас, авторката прибавя приятен разказвачески стил. Това е формулата, която следва всички пишещи в този жанр да търсят. Това в случай, че искат стойностните изследователски работи да стигнат до по-широка публика.
В книгата ще "видим" как протича животът на обикновените египтяни, а също и на знатните. А също и на боговете. Доста внимание е обърнато на езика, може би малко по-малко на другите теми като войните и строителството. Адмирирам подхода и препоръчвам, на когото темата му е интересна.
February 24, 2018
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
This book written by the amazing Egyptologist (and author aka Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels) is wonderfully narrated by actress and writer, Lorna Raver. You are literally taken from the birth of an Egyptian to daily life, to occupations and various and sundry countless things that comprised the Egyptian civilization. There is a large area that is devoted to the in/outs of why death was so important to these people. I also gained a better sense of who they were and how they viewed the world with solid pragmatism. What would have been challenging to read at times came to life under the sharply witty, intelligent and vivacious Raver who brings to life Mertz's personality and knowledge.
Believe me, Mertz doesn't pull any punches either. She reveals the up/downs of life during this time and takes time to mock people who believe they are a reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian. If this happened to me, I would be glad to escape into a more comfortable existence, not to revisit it.
This book written by the amazing Egyptologist (and author aka Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels) is wonderfully narrated by actress and writer, Lorna Raver. You are literally taken from the birth of an Egyptian to daily life, to occupations and various and sundry countless things that comprised the Egyptian civilization. There is a large area that is devoted to the in/outs of why death was so important to these people. I also gained a better sense of who they were and how they viewed the world with solid pragmatism. What would have been challenging to read at times came to life under the sharply witty, intelligent and vivacious Raver who brings to life Mertz's personality and knowledge.
Believe me, Mertz doesn't pull any punches either. She reveals the up/downs of life during this time and takes time to mock people who believe they are a reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian. If this happened to me, I would be glad to escape into a more comfortable existence, not to revisit it.
March 6, 2014
~14hours
How to be an ancient Egyptian: all you need to know about clothes, pyramids and papyrus.
What a refreshing voice on a dusty subject...
...Elizabeth Peters writing under her real name and profession as an Egyptologist but the wry voice is unmistakable.
June 24, 2024
Sure, we've all heard the stories of the Egyptian pharaohs, but what exactly was life like for the normal working-class people in ancient Egypt?
The book moves past all the stuffy Egyptian bureaucracy, and explores the fascinating real-life details of ancient times: family dynamics, what people did for work, how they spent their free time, and what they ate and wore. You get to learn about their homes, personal grooming habits, and even their healthcare and education systems.
Fun Ancient Egypt facts:
Cosmetics for All:
Both men and women in ancient Egypt used cosmetics, including eye makeup made from malachite and galena. They believed that makeup not only enhanced beauty but also had magical and healing properties.
Wigs and Haircare:
Wigs were popular among Egyptians of all social classes. They were made from human hair, wool, or plant fibers. Egyptians shaved their heads for cleanliness and wore wigs to protect themselves from the sun.
Dental Problems:
Despite their advanced medical knowledge, ancient Egyptians suffered from severe dental problems. Their bread contained sand and grit, which wore down their teeth, leading to infections and abscesses.
Legal Equality for Women:
Women in ancient Egypt had a relatively high degree of legal rights and could own property, initiate divorce, and engage in business transactions. They were also depicted in art and literature as strong and independent figures.
Board Games:
Ancient Egyptians enjoyed playing board games, the most popular being Senet, which was a game of strategy and luck. It was played by both commoners and pharaohs, and it often had religious significance.
Barbara Mertz, who's an expert on Egypt, clearly loves these kind of topics and that enthusiasm really comes through in her writing. She does a good job of making you feel like you're right there along the Nile, living alongside the ancient Egyptians. It’s fascinating to see how much of their daily life feels both different and yet so familiar to our own.
Let’s start with the good stuff. Mertz has a knack for making ancient Egypt feel alive. Her descriptions of daily life are so vivid that you can almost see the bustling markets and hear the chatter of people. I particularly enjoyed the sections on social structure and family life. Despite the thousands of years separating us, people back then had similar everyday concerns about family, work, and community.
The section on the construction of the pyramids and other monumental architecture was a interesting to read. Mertz dives into the logistics, labor, and engineering feats involved, and it’s fascinating. You can tell she's in her element here, and her enthusiasm is contagious. It gives you a real sense of awe for the ancient builders and their accomplishments.
Her writing style is another plus. She sprinkles in anecdotes and nice little gems of humor, making it feel less like a textbook and more like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. This makes the book much easier to read, especially if you're not an expert on ancient history.
Next, on to the not so good stuff. Pacing is an issue. Some chapters were packed with rich detail, while others felt a bit rushed. The chapters on Egyptian religion and mythology, for instance, were crammed with too much information. This whole section was confusing to me. It felt like I was being bombarded with facts, which got overwhelming.
Another thing I noticed is that the transitions between topics was abrupt. The book jumps from one subject to another without much warning, which can be a bit jarring. It’s clear that Mertz wanted to cover a lot of ground, but a bit more structure and smoother transitions would have helped maintain the flow.
Keep in mind that this book was first published in the 1960s. While a lot of the information is still relevant, some archaeological and historical interpretations have changed since then. So, if you're looking for the most up-to-date info, you might want to supplement this book with more recent research.
The book’s conclusion felt a bit rushed. After spending so much time delving into various aspects of Egyptian life, the ending didn’t quite provide the wrap-up I was hoping for. A more thoughtful conclusion could have tied together all the different threads she explores throughout the book.
All in all, this book is an interesting read. Despite some pacing issues and the occasional information overload, the book succeeds in making the ancient world accessible and intriguing.
The book moves past all the stuffy Egyptian bureaucracy, and explores the fascinating real-life details of ancient times: family dynamics, what people did for work, how they spent their free time, and what they ate and wore. You get to learn about their homes, personal grooming habits, and even their healthcare and education systems.
Fun Ancient Egypt facts:
Cosmetics for All:
Both men and women in ancient Egypt used cosmetics, including eye makeup made from malachite and galena. They believed that makeup not only enhanced beauty but also had magical and healing properties.
Wigs and Haircare:
Wigs were popular among Egyptians of all social classes. They were made from human hair, wool, or plant fibers. Egyptians shaved their heads for cleanliness and wore wigs to protect themselves from the sun.
Dental Problems:
Despite their advanced medical knowledge, ancient Egyptians suffered from severe dental problems. Their bread contained sand and grit, which wore down their teeth, leading to infections and abscesses.
Legal Equality for Women:
Women in ancient Egypt had a relatively high degree of legal rights and could own property, initiate divorce, and engage in business transactions. They were also depicted in art and literature as strong and independent figures.
Board Games:
Ancient Egyptians enjoyed playing board games, the most popular being Senet, which was a game of strategy and luck. It was played by both commoners and pharaohs, and it often had religious significance.
Barbara Mertz, who's an expert on Egypt, clearly loves these kind of topics and that enthusiasm really comes through in her writing. She does a good job of making you feel like you're right there along the Nile, living alongside the ancient Egyptians. It’s fascinating to see how much of their daily life feels both different and yet so familiar to our own.
Let’s start with the good stuff. Mertz has a knack for making ancient Egypt feel alive. Her descriptions of daily life are so vivid that you can almost see the bustling markets and hear the chatter of people. I particularly enjoyed the sections on social structure and family life. Despite the thousands of years separating us, people back then had similar everyday concerns about family, work, and community.
The section on the construction of the pyramids and other monumental architecture was a interesting to read. Mertz dives into the logistics, labor, and engineering feats involved, and it’s fascinating. You can tell she's in her element here, and her enthusiasm is contagious. It gives you a real sense of awe for the ancient builders and their accomplishments.
Her writing style is another plus. She sprinkles in anecdotes and nice little gems of humor, making it feel less like a textbook and more like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. This makes the book much easier to read, especially if you're not an expert on ancient history.
Next, on to the not so good stuff. Pacing is an issue. Some chapters were packed with rich detail, while others felt a bit rushed. The chapters on Egyptian religion and mythology, for instance, were crammed with too much information. This whole section was confusing to me. It felt like I was being bombarded with facts, which got overwhelming.
Another thing I noticed is that the transitions between topics was abrupt. The book jumps from one subject to another without much warning, which can be a bit jarring. It’s clear that Mertz wanted to cover a lot of ground, but a bit more structure and smoother transitions would have helped maintain the flow.
Keep in mind that this book was first published in the 1960s. While a lot of the information is still relevant, some archaeological and historical interpretations have changed since then. So, if you're looking for the most up-to-date info, you might want to supplement this book with more recent research.
The book’s conclusion felt a bit rushed. After spending so much time delving into various aspects of Egyptian life, the ending didn’t quite provide the wrap-up I was hoping for. A more thoughtful conclusion could have tied together all the different threads she explores throughout the book.
All in all, this book is an interesting read. Despite some pacing issues and the occasional information overload, the book succeeds in making the ancient world accessible and intriguing.
Read
May 3, 2022KMT, or Kemet— Egypt … “land of the black” soil. The annual flooding of the Nile with rich farming soil and the red sands of the deserts. Quite a nice title.
I have read many books on Kemet, and I love a good fiction tale as much as learning something new.
I grew up around the developing field of Egyptology and hieroglyphs so it is comfortable. Of course I continued studying it in college!
Replicas glared at me from our decor back when most ppl only knew of Tut, Nefertiti, Cleopatra, Rameses II and the like. I saw many exhibits during our family trips. The thing is:
I know I have read this, but I remember something about it bugging me. I can’t remember what it was, though. I love Amelia Peabody. Hmm. Maybe it was the older published version?
So… no rating for now.
I have read many books on Kemet, and I love a good fiction tale as much as learning something new.
I grew up around the developing field of Egyptology and hieroglyphs so it is comfortable. Of course I continued studying it in college!
Replicas glared at me from our decor back when most ppl only knew of Tut, Nefertiti, Cleopatra, Rameses II and the like. I saw many exhibits during our family trips. The thing is:
I know I have read this, but I remember something about it bugging me. I can’t remember what it was, though. I love Amelia Peabody. Hmm. Maybe it was the older published version?
So… no rating for now.
June 11, 2014
An excellent, if at times dry, overview of life in ancient Egypt.
Organized from birth to death and afterlife, this is a very good primer on what life was like, how it was lived, and what the norms were likely to have been in ancient Egypt over the centuries.
I was surprised to find that the chapters describing the blend of magic, religion, science, and medicine were my favorite while those retelling the myths and the afterlife were a bit more of a slog for me. I think what struck me was how these concepts that are disparate in modern Western thinking were mixed together and each used together for practical purposes in ancient Egypt.
Organized from birth to death and afterlife, this is a very good primer on what life was like, how it was lived, and what the norms were likely to have been in ancient Egypt over the centuries.
I was surprised to find that the chapters describing the blend of magic, religion, science, and medicine were my favorite while those retelling the myths and the afterlife were a bit more of a slog for me. I think what struck me was how these concepts that are disparate in modern Western thinking were mixed together and each used together for practical purposes in ancient Egypt.
March 10, 2015
~3.5
I've been a fan of MPM, aka Barbara Mertz, aka Elizabeth Peters, aka Barbara Michaels, for years. Although I've read almost every book under almost all of her names, I still love the Amelia Peabody series the best. In these books, the indefatigable Amelia Peabody, parasol in hand, defies Victorian mores to indulge her passions for Egyptology. The books are adorable Gothic spoofs, but they also manage to pack in a rather impressive amount of information about both Victorian Egyptology and the ancient Egyptians themselves.
My expectations for Red Land, Black Land, one of MPM's few nonfiction books, were definitely high. In fact, I don't think I took the book's own history into account. Red Land, Black Land was originally published in the 1960s, long before Amelia Peabody was a glimmer in MPM's eye. At the time when it was written, I think the book's style and premise were probably novel. The book presents life in ancient Egypt in a breezy, conversational narrative, focusing particularly on the experience of the middle classes and women. It reminded me rather a lot of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval Englandand other such "everyday life" books, but at the time when she wrote it, I think the idea was far more original. I tend to enjoy conversational, irreverent styles in such books, as long as the narration doesn't get in the way of the narrative. Unfortunately, I think that happened a bit here; devices such as the imaginary cruise down the Nile were just too cutesy and distracting for me. Her narrative voice here feels like something of a caricature, and she is unabashed about her opinionated and occasionally dismissive delivery. (She really, really doesn't like Akhenaten.)
My major complaint against the book was, at the same time, one of its major features: the informality. MPM talks about life in ancient Egypt as though it were pretty much constant throughout the thousands of years and hundreds of kings. I would have preferred a more rigorous approach that distinguished between different eras. I also think that MPM went a bit too far in painting her glowing portrait of the Egyptians; they may have been sophisticated and religiously tolerant, but they also kept slaves, raided their neighbors, and constructed an empire. I would have loved to learn more about those areas of Egyptian history. The other somewhat disappointing aspect actually is simply a ringing endorsement of the Amelia Peabody series: I don't think I actually learned much from this book because MPM managed to fit in so much into the series.
While it might not have been as informative as I could have wished, Red Land, Black Land was still a pleasant and amusing read. We get some great retellings of the more famous Egyptian fairy tales, and an exploration of the role of women in the ancient Egyptian world. As MPM points out in her introduction, while the market is now flooded with these types of books, at the time, examining the role of women and the common people was an original and fresh approach. As always, MPM has an eye for the most entertaining tidbits. I loved her discussion of the sculptures, particularly the lovely little sheikh el beled sculpture. MPM also goes into a fascinating discussion of the contrasts between the clear indications of religious morality and the prescription-style charms of the Book of the Dead, then compares those against the medical texts of the time. One of my favourite moments was her discussion of courting and love poetry, where she quotes an enamoured young man proclaiming his passion:
I've been a fan of MPM, aka Barbara Mertz, aka Elizabeth Peters, aka Barbara Michaels, for years. Although I've read almost every book under almost all of her names, I still love the Amelia Peabody series the best. In these books, the indefatigable Amelia Peabody, parasol in hand, defies Victorian mores to indulge her passions for Egyptology. The books are adorable Gothic spoofs, but they also manage to pack in a rather impressive amount of information about both Victorian Egyptology and the ancient Egyptians themselves.
My expectations for Red Land, Black Land, one of MPM's few nonfiction books, were definitely high. In fact, I don't think I took the book's own history into account. Red Land, Black Land was originally published in the 1960s, long before Amelia Peabody was a glimmer in MPM's eye. At the time when it was written, I think the book's style and premise were probably novel. The book presents life in ancient Egypt in a breezy, conversational narrative, focusing particularly on the experience of the middle classes and women. It reminded me rather a lot of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval Englandand other such "everyday life" books, but at the time when she wrote it, I think the idea was far more original. I tend to enjoy conversational, irreverent styles in such books, as long as the narration doesn't get in the way of the narrative. Unfortunately, I think that happened a bit here; devices such as the imaginary cruise down the Nile were just too cutesy and distracting for me. Her narrative voice here feels like something of a caricature, and she is unabashed about her opinionated and occasionally dismissive delivery. (She really, really doesn't like Akhenaten.)
My major complaint against the book was, at the same time, one of its major features: the informality. MPM talks about life in ancient Egypt as though it were pretty much constant throughout the thousands of years and hundreds of kings. I would have preferred a more rigorous approach that distinguished between different eras. I also think that MPM went a bit too far in painting her glowing portrait of the Egyptians; they may have been sophisticated and religiously tolerant, but they also kept slaves, raided their neighbors, and constructed an empire. I would have loved to learn more about those areas of Egyptian history. The other somewhat disappointing aspect actually is simply a ringing endorsement of the Amelia Peabody series: I don't think I actually learned much from this book because MPM managed to fit in so much into the series.
While it might not have been as informative as I could have wished, Red Land, Black Land was still a pleasant and amusing read. We get some great retellings of the more famous Egyptian fairy tales, and an exploration of the role of women in the ancient Egyptian world. As MPM points out in her introduction, while the market is now flooded with these types of books, at the time, examining the role of women and the common people was an original and fresh approach. As always, MPM has an eye for the most entertaining tidbits. I loved her discussion of the sculptures, particularly the lovely little sheikh el beled sculpture. MPM also goes into a fascinating discussion of the contrasts between the clear indications of religious morality and the prescription-style charms of the Book of the Dead, then compares those against the medical texts of the time. One of my favourite moments was her discussion of courting and love poetry, where she quotes an enamoured young man proclaiming his passion:
'If I kiss her, and her lips are open, I am happy, even without beer."
January 7, 2016
I love Barbara Mertz and her genuine passion for Egypt. I had no doubt that I would thoroughly enjoy yet another book by her. As opposed to Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt, which focused on the chronological history of Egypt and its rulers, Red Land, Black Land is more of a sweeping overview of Egyptian culture. She touches upon such interesting topics as medicine, food, household, women's rights, and of course pyramid building among others. There are some interesting connections between this volume and the first book in the Amelia Peabody series Crocodile on the Sandbank, which made me smile. For anyone interested in getting into Egyptology, I would certainly recommend reading first Temples... and then Red Land... as a good, solid intro on the subject.
June 17, 2021
4.5 Stars
April 25, 2009
This is a very informative and fascinating peek into life in ancient times in Egypt. The author, although a noted Egytology scholar, writes in a sweet, simple converstional style. She relays touching anecdotes such as the mummified cat of a minor prince with an inscription translating roughly as "Miss Kitty, beloved pet". She goes into the everyday objects and experiences such as the cosmetic procedures, style of dress (flattering only on very slender people she points out), and the practice of painting the ceilings with clouds and the floors with water scenes. I've always had a fascination with Egypt, and much more now!
September 7, 2018
So I loved Barbara Mertz’s Amelia Peabody series, and I thought I would really enjoy this nonfiction book she had written. I loved the conversational style of the text, and the way she approached the topic, but I didn’t really feel like I walked away with anything. Perhaps if I hadn’t studies Ancient Egypt with the kids, I would have gotten more from this book. The information, however, seemed fairly basic and didn’t provide a really unique perspective.
December 31, 2011
Must. Own. [ETA: Oh, yeah, I bought it. Books before groceries!][return][Full disclosure: I am a total geek for ancient Egypt, and I absolutely love the Amelia Peabody adventures, penned by Ms. Mertz as Elizabeth Peters.][return]In her original forward, the author's thesis statement is “This is not a book about ancient Egyptian culture; it is a book about ancient Egyptians.” Ms. Mertz doesn't quite keep her promise (the behavior of people is their culture, is it not?), but deftly avoids the patronizing, know-it-all tone of most Egyptologists in this comprehensive, dryly witty overview of life in ancient Egypt, with a marked anthropological bent.[return]In fact, her long career as an archaeologist and Egyptologist give Ms. Mertz a long view not only of the ancient people she studies, but the people who study the ancient people as well. While never dismissive of either group, she doesn’t hesitate to point out the gaps and inconsistencies in the modern study of ancient Egypt. In one candid and very funny acknowledgement of how much of what is handed down as writ is actually guesswork, informed by the conventions of its time, she says:[return]“Those who are interested in Egyptology engage in this kind of guesswork all the time; it is going to be a blow to us if Akhenaton’s mummy ever does turn up, because we enjoy our fantasies immensely, particularly when we label them ‘theories’ and get into exciting arguments with other archaeologists.” (p. 342)[return]An equally incisive discussion of ancient Egyptian belief in magic rigorously compares religion (ancient and modern) with “magic” and “science”, concluding that an ancient Egyptian wouldn’t see these as separate categories.[return]Ms. Mertz’s answer to the basic dilemma of any historian - linear timeline or subject organization – is to give us glimpses into the various aspects of the daily lives of the people (including women, who were not of interest to archaeology until the 70’s or so). While reminding us firmly that most of the available information is from the ruling or bureaucratic/priesthood classes, Red Land, Black Land is juicy with the odd little facts that personalize the day to day lives, loves, celebrations and griefs of those who composed the nation of Kemet for nearly four thousand years.
July 2, 2008
Barbara Mertz is my favorite author in the world. She is a lady who got her degree in Egyptology before "Ladies" did so. She is known for her 2 non fiction books and her numerous fiction writing. This book is older than me and was recently revised and published. I would recommend it to anyone who has even the vaguest interest in Ancient Egypt. Her writing style is very approachable and entertaining as well as spot-on accurate. She is biased towards and against some theories but unlike most she freely and humorously admits it. She has written aprox 60 fiction novels. She has written a number of Gothic Suspense novels under the name Barbara Michaels. ( I am not too crazy about these) Under the name Elizabeth Peters she has written two series. The Viki Bliss series is fun. Vicki is a sexy strong archeologist who solves antiquities mysteries and is set in somewhat contemporary times. ( new book coming out this August) My most favorite series in all the world is her Amelia Peabody series. Set in Victorian times Amelia Peabody is not your average Victorian English lady. She is an archeologist who spends most of her time in Egypt, has an umbrella with a steel rod in it so she can bat evil doers over the head with it, she has a tool belt she wears that holds all the necessities for if she is trapped in a tomb or captured by the master criminal. LOVE THIS! This series also holds a lot of tongue-in-cheek high-drama humor and dastardly criminals.
March 25, 2017
Some of the reviews of this work criticize it for extraneous comments, but because I love her wit so much, I am willing to forgive her even when she makes occassional ignorant comments in the field of theology.
The book is a delightful romp through ancient Egyptian history and culture. I loved every minute of it. Also, the audio book was read by someone who I believe captured her personality very well. I look forward to reading one of the Amelia Peabody books.
The book is a delightful romp through ancient Egyptian history and culture. I loved every minute of it. Also, the audio book was read by someone who I believe captured her personality very well. I look forward to reading one of the Amelia Peabody books.
February 13, 2017
Puiki knyga, labai nuosekliai išdėstyta visa senovės Egipto istorija ne akcentuojant faktus, o labiau perteikiant senovės egiptiečių gyvenimą
June 3, 2022
I highly, highly recommend this one for anyone who has an interest in ancient Egypt. Barbara Mertz is a solid scholar who is refreshingly honest about what scholars know versus what they guess, and on what that knowledge or guesswork is based and how likely it is to be true. She is as interested in the lives of women as the lives of men. And her background as a novelist means she does all this with rich detail and razor wit.
To pick one example, Mertz devotes a few pages to the correspondence between the owner of an estate and the estate’s manager, which gives us a great picture of the owner’s blended family, bratty kid and new concubine, as well as the manager’s increasing annoyance with refereeing the family drama on top of the challenges of crop management.
Many Egyptologists I’ve read quote Herodotus, since he kept a detailed travelogue of his time in Egypt. If other data contradicts his account, they simply choose which one they believe and don’t mention the other, to shore up their authority. Mertz discusses why the contradiction might have arisen and why she finds one side more persuasive than the other.
Above all, it is really easy to slip into seeing the ancient Egyptians as either just like us or so obsessed with the afterlife that they are totally alien. Mertz is able to hold on to both the ways in which their frame of reference doesn’t map onto ours well, like the blurred category of religion, magic, and medicine/science, and the fact that these were people who raised kids, fell in and out of love, and sometimes hated their jobs. I’m so glad I read this book.
To pick one example, Mertz devotes a few pages to the correspondence between the owner of an estate and the estate’s manager, which gives us a great picture of the owner’s blended family, bratty kid and new concubine, as well as the manager’s increasing annoyance with refereeing the family drama on top of the challenges of crop management.
Many Egyptologists I’ve read quote Herodotus, since he kept a detailed travelogue of his time in Egypt. If other data contradicts his account, they simply choose which one they believe and don’t mention the other, to shore up their authority. Mertz discusses why the contradiction might have arisen and why she finds one side more persuasive than the other.
Above all, it is really easy to slip into seeing the ancient Egyptians as either just like us or so obsessed with the afterlife that they are totally alien. Mertz is able to hold on to both the ways in which their frame of reference doesn’t map onto ours well, like the blurred category of religion, magic, and medicine/science, and the fact that these were people who raised kids, fell in and out of love, and sometimes hated their jobs. I’m so glad I read this book.
July 17, 2022
Vienas iš puikiausių vadovų apie kasdienį gyvenimą senovės Egipte. Sistemingai pateikiama dinastijų chronologija, aprašomas visas klaidus dievų ir deivių panteonas, žaviai aprašomos visos gyvenimo sritys.
September 1, 2021
A great read for those interested in ancient Egyptian. A text book that reads almost like a conversation. Highly recommended.
April 26, 2016
"Its an ironic fact that when magic works, it is no longer magic but science."
What I love about this book is its excellent prose thanks to an experienced and talented fiction writer. The narrative is engaging and so unlike any other history book -- its not dry!!! While the author clearly presents her own point of view, this does not limit her presentation of the material, and she eloquently presents numerous schools of thought. She also includes fun side stories pertaining to Egypt's archeological pursuits.
The author gets into the mindset of the time period and really brings out the society's intelligence and innovations. They are not treated as "primitive" peoples and are not limited to definitions created by modern peoples as many books do to the Ancient Egyptians. Her explanations are intuitive and make you think. The only section I found confusing was the one about mathematics -- go figure.
Of course, the landscape of knowledge is constantly changing thanks to new techologies and discoveries. This book is extremely up to date and only suffers from recent DNA typing of King Tut's family. The author is not a big fan of DNA research, but it was still quite new at the book's publication.
This is an excellent resource that never takes itself too seriously. Its a book not about the things/artifacts but about the people, their context and perspective, and about life -- a celebration of life! Mertz has a fantastic wit which really personalizes the material. It says, "heck, its okay to find this tradition a little weird, you're not alone!" Mertz has created a detailed and beautifully descriptive resource. I think this book could peak the interest of anyone out there into Egyptology! I feel as if I have a better appreciation and understanding for the people of ancient times -- a more sympathetic view of their way of thinking. Thank you, Ms. Mertz!
"...perhaps we will not find the painted mummy cases and weird amulets so bizarre if we see, beneath the extravagance, a common human terror and a common hope."
What I love about this book is its excellent prose thanks to an experienced and talented fiction writer. The narrative is engaging and so unlike any other history book -- its not dry!!! While the author clearly presents her own point of view, this does not limit her presentation of the material, and she eloquently presents numerous schools of thought. She also includes fun side stories pertaining to Egypt's archeological pursuits.
The author gets into the mindset of the time period and really brings out the society's intelligence and innovations. They are not treated as "primitive" peoples and are not limited to definitions created by modern peoples as many books do to the Ancient Egyptians. Her explanations are intuitive and make you think. The only section I found confusing was the one about mathematics -- go figure.
Of course, the landscape of knowledge is constantly changing thanks to new techologies and discoveries. This book is extremely up to date and only suffers from recent DNA typing of King Tut's family. The author is not a big fan of DNA research, but it was still quite new at the book's publication.
This is an excellent resource that never takes itself too seriously. Its a book not about the things/artifacts but about the people, their context and perspective, and about life -- a celebration of life! Mertz has a fantastic wit which really personalizes the material. It says, "heck, its okay to find this tradition a little weird, you're not alone!" Mertz has created a detailed and beautifully descriptive resource. I think this book could peak the interest of anyone out there into Egyptology! I feel as if I have a better appreciation and understanding for the people of ancient times -- a more sympathetic view of their way of thinking. Thank you, Ms. Mertz!
"...perhaps we will not find the painted mummy cases and weird amulets so bizarre if we see, beneath the extravagance, a common human terror and a common hope."
March 11, 2015
“This is not a book about ancient Egyptian culture; it is a book about ancient Egyptians.” Barbara Mertz starts out her book with this line, and it perfectly describes her work. “Red Land, Black Land” gives details of Egyptian life in different periods of history. She traces life from birth to death in all the myriad ways life can go.
Mertz has a pleasant, conversational tone throughout the book that makes it feel more like you’re listening to her describe a personal experience over tea rather than reading a lecture on a time long past. I especially loved the chapter where she took the reader on a mental trip down the Nile. One thing I didn’t know was how popular touring the monuments was even at the time they were built.
One of the best aspects of the book is her cautious skepticism when it comes to “expert opinions”. The study of ancient civilizations is an evolving process. Each year, scholars learn a little more about the language and writing, or scientists develop better technology for examining artifacts, and something is discovered to be different than what was once considered fact. Mertz’ refusal to equate theories with facts and to emphasize the subjectivity humans are never entirely free from (and admitting when she prefers a theory for subjective reasons) may make it less popular with those who want “just the facts, ma’am” but is a more realistic touch to the subject.
It was a fun, informative read, and I definitely enjoyed her style of writing. I was pleasantly surprised to find she is also one of my favorite authors: she writes the fabulous Amelia Peabody series under the pseudonym Elizabeth Peters, which is one I recommend to anyone who enjoys learning more about ancient culture along with some great mysteries.
Mertz has a pleasant, conversational tone throughout the book that makes it feel more like you’re listening to her describe a personal experience over tea rather than reading a lecture on a time long past. I especially loved the chapter where she took the reader on a mental trip down the Nile. One thing I didn’t know was how popular touring the monuments was even at the time they were built.
One of the best aspects of the book is her cautious skepticism when it comes to “expert opinions”. The study of ancient civilizations is an evolving process. Each year, scholars learn a little more about the language and writing, or scientists develop better technology for examining artifacts, and something is discovered to be different than what was once considered fact. Mertz’ refusal to equate theories with facts and to emphasize the subjectivity humans are never entirely free from (and admitting when she prefers a theory for subjective reasons) may make it less popular with those who want “just the facts, ma’am” but is a more realistic touch to the subject.
It was a fun, informative read, and I definitely enjoyed her style of writing. I was pleasantly surprised to find she is also one of my favorite authors: she writes the fabulous Amelia Peabody series under the pseudonym Elizabeth Peters, which is one I recommend to anyone who enjoys learning more about ancient culture along with some great mysteries.
October 29, 2019
This was a lot more fun than I thought it would be! Mertz writes her non-fiction egyptology books with the same sense of humor she exhibits in her fiction works, and it was fun to hear her descriptions of the actual history behind the things she writes about in her Amelia Peabody series.
The book's main premise seems to be that ancient Egyptians were not the solemn and sober people that their tombs and monuments might have us believe them to have been, but people much like us, and I think she makes that point well. It was really interesting to hear about the daily life of ancient Egyptians, and also to realize how little we actually know about them. Though Mertz often scolds scholars for making assumptions and stating them as facts, she does the same thing herself a few times, which I found both frustrating and amusing. But the ending was great, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for this book (though at times I questioned her pronunciation).
I'm glad to see that she reads Mertz's other non-fiction Egyptology book, Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt, which I plan on getting around to before too long as well. This is definitely worth a read or a listen if you're interested in ancient Egypt or are a fan of Elizabeth Peters.
The book's main premise seems to be that ancient Egyptians were not the solemn and sober people that their tombs and monuments might have us believe them to have been, but people much like us, and I think she makes that point well. It was really interesting to hear about the daily life of ancient Egyptians, and also to realize how little we actually know about them. Though Mertz often scolds scholars for making assumptions and stating them as facts, she does the same thing herself a few times, which I found both frustrating and amusing. But the ending was great, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for this book (though at times I questioned her pronunciation).
I'm glad to see that she reads Mertz's other non-fiction Egyptology book, Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt, which I plan on getting around to before too long as well. This is definitely worth a read or a listen if you're interested in ancient Egypt or are a fan of Elizabeth Peters.
May 20, 2016
Usually I do not read books on Egyptology this old. However, despite being originally published first published in 1966, it has been revised at least twice since then. While still a little dated because of the all in the new information that has come to light even in the last five years, this book still is valid in that it looks at HOW the Egyptians lived and how they thought.
What I like about this book is that the author is not afraid to say "I don't know". She often gives out various points of view on different subjects, but then says "I don't know what the truth of the matter is on this subject". That is SO refreshing in Egyptology and many other disciplines! Theories are often stated as absolute fact, when in actuality, no one really knows. It is so nice to find an author who knows the subject matter yet is willing to admit that the known "facts" are at best conjecture.
This is a great book for a general overview of ancient Egypt.
What I like about this book is that the author is not afraid to say "I don't know". She often gives out various points of view on different subjects, but then says "I don't know what the truth of the matter is on this subject". That is SO refreshing in Egyptology and many other disciplines! Theories are often stated as absolute fact, when in actuality, no one really knows. It is so nice to find an author who knows the subject matter yet is willing to admit that the known "facts" are at best conjecture.
This is a great book for a general overview of ancient Egypt.
March 27, 2013
Barbara Mertz has a PhD in Egyptology. She is, therefore, enough of a scholar to know what she is talking about when it comes to the culture of ancient Egypt. That said, I didn't much care for this book. I was glad that it wasn't another "dry" discussion about Pharaoh XYZ and Middle Kingdom ABC but IMHO the author was flippant and seemed to throw facts to the reader willy-nilly. She jumped back and forth on subjects, told us she had a personal opinion on certain debatable topics and then declined to tell us that opinion so we could accept/refuse it on our own. 3/4's of the way through the book I was counting pages to see how much more was left to read (a death knell for a book!). There was some information that I had been unaware of (and was interested to learn) but aside from those all I can truly say is that I did read this book and am moving on to other authors.
November 16, 2014
I loved this in large part because I was already a fan of Barbara Mertz's Egyptian mystery series, written under her pen name as Elizabeth Peters. Listening to this audiobook, it was very much as if Amelia Peabody herself was giving me a series of lectures on ancient Egyptian life, with a great deal of love for the topic and the ancient Egyptians themselves. I appreciated that Mertz continually reminded the reader that these were real, living people, not so different from us. And I loved her dryly sarcastic commentary on academia, the various follies of modern humanity. As in her novels, there is a pervasive sense that humanity is deeply fallible, but also worthy of being loved and respected, even as we laugh at ourselves.
Some sections were a little dry, but I loved her voice so much that I didn't really mind!
Some sections were a little dry, but I loved her voice so much that I didn't really mind!
June 10, 2014
Whether you read this text for religious or secular purposes, the information within will be of great help to you. It's very detailed, and the author is quite willing to condemn unfortunate thought processes like eurocentrism, pyramidism, and more. She presents a balanced perspective and does a good job of separating personal opinion from accepted truth.
The major downside is her flippant, smug tone, especially around the issue of religion. She is the stereotypical high and mighty atheist (or so she seems in this book. I don't know her actual beliefs, of course) and often portrays religious people as idiots. Not my favorite.
Still, it would be a mistake to give this book the miss. She also provides a reading list at the back of the book, an invaluable resource to draw from.
The major downside is her flippant, smug tone, especially around the issue of religion. She is the stereotypical high and mighty atheist (or so she seems in this book. I don't know her actual beliefs, of course) and often portrays religious people as idiots. Not my favorite.
Still, it would be a mistake to give this book the miss. She also provides a reading list at the back of the book, an invaluable resource to draw from.
June 23, 2011
Barbara Mertz, better known as the creator of the Amelia Peabody series under her pen name Elizabeth Peters, sets out to show us that the ancient Egyptians loved life. It's true, we mostly associate them with a pretty serious cult of the dead. Mummies, tombs, the Book of the Dead and all that. But though they certainly had their eye on death and the after-life, they also loved their children, pets, games, food, and beer. And, no surprise here, given the author's considerable story-telling skills, the book is fun to read -- smart, well written, personable.
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