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Jack Howard #8
Pyramid
Fans of dan brown and clive cussler will be unable to resist this thrilling new jack howard action adventure from sunday times bestseller david gibbins. Underwater archaeologist jack howard is back with a dangerous mission to uncover a shocking secret which could rewrite history... In 1890, a british soldier emerges from the depths of a cairo sewer. He claims to have been trapped for years in an ancient underground complex, and swears that he stumbled upon an incredible collection of gold, treasure, and thousands upon thousands of jars filled with papyri. Dismissed as a madman who has lost his mind in the desert, his story was lost to the world. Until now... When a colleague of jack howard's stumbles across the soldier's story, the mention of a 'blinding shaft of light' captures jack's attention and resurrects the forgotten ramblings. With the political situation in egypt at boiling point, jack and his team risk everything in a treacherous archaeological expedition to find the truth. T
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
61 people are currently reading
1143 people want to read
About the author
David Gibbins
48 books603 followers Canadian-born underwater archaeologist and novelist. Gibbins learned to scuba dive at the age of 15 in Canada, and dived under ice, on shipwrecks and in caves while he was still at school. He has led numerous underwater archaeology expeditions around the world, including five seasons excavating ancient Roman shipwrecks off Sicily and a survey of the submerged harbour of ancient Carthage. In 1999-2000 he was part of an international team excavating a 5th century BC shipwreck off Turkey. His many publications on ancient shipwreck sites have appeared in scientific journals, books and popular magazines. Most recently his fieldwork has taken him to the Arctic Ocean, to Mesoamerica and to the Great Lakes in Canada.
After holding a Research Fellowship at Cambridge, he spent most of the 1990s as a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology, Classics and Oriental Studies at the University of Liverpool. On leaving teaching he become a novelist, writing archaeological thrillers derived from his own background. His novels have sold over two million copies and have been London Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. His first novel, Atlantis, published in the UK in 2005 and the US in September 2006, has been published in 30 languages and is being made into a TV miniseries; since then he has written five further novels, published in more than 100 editions internationally. His novels form a series based on the fictional maritime archaeologist Jack Howard and his team, and are contemporary thrillers involving a plausible archaeological backdrop.
After holding a Research Fellowship at Cambridge, he spent most of the 1990s as a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology, Classics and Oriental Studies at the University of Liverpool. On leaving teaching he become a novelist, writing archaeological thrillers derived from his own background. His novels have sold over two million copies and have been London Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. His first novel, Atlantis, published in the UK in 2005 and the US in September 2006, has been published in 30 languages and is being made into a TV miniseries; since then he has written five further novels, published in more than 100 editions internationally. His novels form a series based on the fictional maritime archaeologist Jack Howard and his team, and are contemporary thrillers involving a plausible archaeological backdrop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 19, 2021
It starts with the exploration about what really happened with Moses and the exodus at the Red Sea and leads into pyramids, pharaohs and and secrets buried beneath the sands of Egypt. At times it reads like college textbooks on Egyptology, history and biblical studies, and then moves into what can best be described as History Channel speculative history specials all the while mixing the two with a poor man’s Indiana Jones adventure.
January 31, 2018
If you put a book with a cool cover and a tag line that reads 'a cross between Indiana Jones and Dan Brown' on the shelves of every major book store in the world then you are going to sell a lot of copies. Even overpriced as it is. But that does not mean that it is any good. Its only when the reader starts turning pages that the slow slide of disappointment begins. This is supposed to be an adventure/thriller. But three quarters of the book is taken up with cut out characters standing around discussing archaeological theories. There is no plot arc and there are no significant bad guys. The heroes jump from location to location and when they do get in a fix escape with hardly any effort. I plodded through every page and it was a deeply unsatisfying experience which I will not repeat.
June 17, 2015
I did enjoy this book, it was a fun, easy read. The author clearly knows his archaeology, history and diving so there is much that feels authentic. The ideas about the story of Moses and how the exodus may be interpreted, about the pharoah Akhenaten and what may lie somewhere underground near the pyramids, all are plausible, which makes the work an interseting read.
The book is very plot-driven. This is the first Gibbins novel I've read and I'm aware that many of the characters feature in previous books. Mostly the characters are active, or filling in historical background or setting up plot movement. What emotions there are I found rather forced and often part of the narrative voice - there's a lot of telling.
Some parts of the plot are a bit hard to swallow - by chance discoveries that just happen to relate directly to the plot, there just for the looking. Parts of the present day, clearly meant to heighten the tension and create a race against the clock, were quite successful but one thread didn't quite work for me. A local student gets arrested and in the interogation scene is specifically asked where Jack Howard is. This indicates - for the first time - that the extremists are specifically after Jack (they have his photograph). That thread is left dangling. There is plenty of talk about rescuing the girl and there is some resolution there at the end, but at no point in the later scenes does this early threat against Jack by the extremists amount to anything. He's in danger because he is a westerner, not because he is Jack Howard - he even uses his name later with the extremists and they don't react at all.
That irritated me, but didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. If you like lots of discussion about history, some decent action here and there, an interesting take on history and a reasonable bit of archaeological detective work, it's worth a read. I probably will have a look at his other work - I'm interested enough to see what Gibbins' take is on Atlantis, for example.
The book is very plot-driven. This is the first Gibbins novel I've read and I'm aware that many of the characters feature in previous books. Mostly the characters are active, or filling in historical background or setting up plot movement. What emotions there are I found rather forced and often part of the narrative voice - there's a lot of telling.
Some parts of the plot are a bit hard to swallow - by chance discoveries that just happen to relate directly to the plot, there just for the looking. Parts of the present day, clearly meant to heighten the tension and create a race against the clock, were quite successful but one thread didn't quite work for me. A local student gets arrested and in the interogation scene is specifically asked where Jack Howard is. This indicates - for the first time - that the extremists are specifically after Jack (they have his photograph). That thread is left dangling. There is plenty of talk about rescuing the girl and there is some resolution there at the end, but at no point in the later scenes does this early threat against Jack by the extremists amount to anything. He's in danger because he is a westerner, not because he is Jack Howard - he even uses his name later with the extremists and they don't react at all.
That irritated me, but didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. If you like lots of discussion about history, some decent action here and there, an interesting take on history and a reasonable bit of archaeological detective work, it's worth a read. I probably will have a look at his other work - I'm interested enough to see what Gibbins' take is on Atlantis, for example.
June 14, 2015
I normally speed through archaeological themed books, but this one--not so much.
The premise of the book was good, the search for the relationship between Akhenaten and his role in the exodus of Moses. The historical background was interesting, but the dialogue of the characters read like an encyclopedia.
I found it a difficult book to want to finish. Many times, I put it down and then forced myself to read more. I was unable to get into the characters, and, consequently, their quest.
Although I admire the work that went into this book, it is not one that I would recommend.
The premise of the book was good, the search for the relationship between Akhenaten and his role in the exodus of Moses. The historical background was interesting, but the dialogue of the characters read like an encyclopedia.
I found it a difficult book to want to finish. Many times, I put it down and then forced myself to read more. I was unable to get into the characters, and, consequently, their quest.
Although I admire the work that went into this book, it is not one that I would recommend.
March 18, 2015
Review:
I have taken my time on this one, i wanted to read an review a little after the book had come out, i also wanted to go back and re-read Pharaoh, to give me that continuity of story arc in a back to back read.
I’m glad i did, for me i love that extended storyline, the two books blending so well (yet i can see how they work as stand alone entities) . There has it seems been a story arc in David Gibbins books that has developed and matured over the 8 books written in the Jack Howard series. When i first started reading this author back in 2005, it was with a view to having found a nice fluffy new brain wipe thriller writer, one with a historical twist and not too much conspiracy. What i have got instead has been an ongoing growth in story and characters, a plot that developed in depth and complexity as the series progressed, as the author brought to the fore more and more fantastic yet highly plausible scenarios for famous historical figures or locations. That then evolved again in book 6 when the author delved deeper into the location and reasoning for Atlantis, and its ties to Europe and its development, the development of language and nations all of this wrapped up in a highly thrilling adventure story.
Then comes Pyramid, this book brings everything full circle, the characters, the plot, the hypothetical journey of mankind and which nation influenced which (Greece or Egypt), all of this told against the backdrop of an Egypt going up in flames, literally. The descendants of the Mahdi (out for revenge for a slight 100 years old, committed by Kitchener after the death or Gordon of Khartoum ), the Jihadists, infiltrating all levels of government until Egypt is ready to fall, and with it the western worlds cradle of archaeology. The country that captures the imagination with its immense age and towering monuments, all at risk, and Jack and Costas searching for the last clues to 10 years of searching, a trail of clues spanning 8 books, to find Akhenaten, his links to Moses and what drove these men, one to destroy and army and turn against his gods and another to found a people.
The final chapters of this book are utterly breathless, not just because the many times one or both of our heroes are down to little or no air left, but the power and pace of the story. David Gibbins captures the feel, sights and sounds of a city tearing its self apart, descending back into the dark ages. Sinking to levels of depravity that the mind shies away from. I applaud the authors skill and also bravery in describing the scenes so well, nothing is glorified, it is reported giving it the feel of a CNN news crew at the heart of the destruction and horror, yet keeping the thriller and mystery of the plot going.
I truly enjoyed this book, the horror and the fear, the potential for disaster should be mandatory reading to everyone, to understand what we could lose if groups like ISIS ever made it into control of wonders like Egypt, and the wonders we are losing in places like Syria, and the suffering of the people already under the control of these people. At the same time as this serious plot line is an utterly compelling historical adventure thriller, delivered by a man who lives and breathes the archaeology.
Highly Recommended
(Parm)
Series
Jack Howard
1. Atlantis (2005)
2. Crusader Gold (2006)
3. The Last Gospel (2008)
aka The Lost Tomb
4. The Tiger Warrior (2009)
5. The Mask of Troy (2010)
6. The Gods of Atlantis (2011)
aka Atlantis God
7. Pharaoh (2013)
8. Pyramid (2014)
The Atlantis Collection: Atlantis / Crusader Gold / The Last Gospel (omnibus) (2014)
The Atlantis Collection: Atlantis / Crusader Gold / The Last Gospel
Total War Rome
1. Destroy Carthage (2013)
2. Sword of Attila (2015)
I have taken my time on this one, i wanted to read an review a little after the book had come out, i also wanted to go back and re-read Pharaoh, to give me that continuity of story arc in a back to back read.
I’m glad i did, for me i love that extended storyline, the two books blending so well (yet i can see how they work as stand alone entities) . There has it seems been a story arc in David Gibbins books that has developed and matured over the 8 books written in the Jack Howard series. When i first started reading this author back in 2005, it was with a view to having found a nice fluffy new brain wipe thriller writer, one with a historical twist and not too much conspiracy. What i have got instead has been an ongoing growth in story and characters, a plot that developed in depth and complexity as the series progressed, as the author brought to the fore more and more fantastic yet highly plausible scenarios for famous historical figures or locations. That then evolved again in book 6 when the author delved deeper into the location and reasoning for Atlantis, and its ties to Europe and its development, the development of language and nations all of this wrapped up in a highly thrilling adventure story.
Then comes Pyramid, this book brings everything full circle, the characters, the plot, the hypothetical journey of mankind and which nation influenced which (Greece or Egypt), all of this told against the backdrop of an Egypt going up in flames, literally. The descendants of the Mahdi (out for revenge for a slight 100 years old, committed by Kitchener after the death or Gordon of Khartoum ), the Jihadists, infiltrating all levels of government until Egypt is ready to fall, and with it the western worlds cradle of archaeology. The country that captures the imagination with its immense age and towering monuments, all at risk, and Jack and Costas searching for the last clues to 10 years of searching, a trail of clues spanning 8 books, to find Akhenaten, his links to Moses and what drove these men, one to destroy and army and turn against his gods and another to found a people.
The final chapters of this book are utterly breathless, not just because the many times one or both of our heroes are down to little or no air left, but the power and pace of the story. David Gibbins captures the feel, sights and sounds of a city tearing its self apart, descending back into the dark ages. Sinking to levels of depravity that the mind shies away from. I applaud the authors skill and also bravery in describing the scenes so well, nothing is glorified, it is reported giving it the feel of a CNN news crew at the heart of the destruction and horror, yet keeping the thriller and mystery of the plot going.
I truly enjoyed this book, the horror and the fear, the potential for disaster should be mandatory reading to everyone, to understand what we could lose if groups like ISIS ever made it into control of wonders like Egypt, and the wonders we are losing in places like Syria, and the suffering of the people already under the control of these people. At the same time as this serious plot line is an utterly compelling historical adventure thriller, delivered by a man who lives and breathes the archaeology.
Highly Recommended
(Parm)
Series
Jack Howard
1. Atlantis (2005)
2. Crusader Gold (2006)
3. The Last Gospel (2008)
aka The Lost Tomb
4. The Tiger Warrior (2009)
5. The Mask of Troy (2010)
6. The Gods of Atlantis (2011)
aka Atlantis God
7. Pharaoh (2013)
8. Pyramid (2014)
The Atlantis Collection: Atlantis / Crusader Gold / The Last Gospel (omnibus) (2014)
The Atlantis Collection: Atlantis / Crusader Gold / The Last Gospel
Total War Rome
1. Destroy Carthage (2013)
2. Sword of Attila (2015)
July 24, 2016
From The Book:
For thousands of years, Egypt was a rich, ingenious civilization. Then it became a fertile hunting ground for archaeologists and explorers. Now the streets of Cairo teem with violence as a political awakening shakes the region. In the face of overwhelming danger, Jack Howard and his team of marine archaeologists have gathered pieces of a fantastic puzzle. But putting it together may cost them their lives. Howard has connected a mystery hidden inside a great pyramid to a fossilized discovery in the Red Sea and a 110-year-old handwritten report of a man who claims to have escaped a labyrinth beneath Cairo. For that his team is stalked by a brutal extremist organization that will destroy any treasure they find. As people fight and die for their rights above ground, Jack fights for a discovery that will shed an astounding new light on the greatest story ever told: Moses' exodus from Egypt and the true beginnings of a new chapter in human history.
My Thoughts:
I have read and enjoyed several of these books but eve though it is a good story, you really need to be interested in Egyptian and biblical history to really get into it. It’s a very fast moving book and at times it is difficult to keep up with what is taking place. I especially enjoyed the parts that featured Jack Howard and the under water archaeological finds. However this is a series that is greatly in need of a glossary or a list of character bios since one book builds on the previous one and often touches on the next... I had trouble remembering who was who in the previous books. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I would certainly recommend it to fans of historical thrillers but it is a series that diffidently should be read in order. 3.5★'s and I think that's the lowest rating I have ever given a book in this series.
For thousands of years, Egypt was a rich, ingenious civilization. Then it became a fertile hunting ground for archaeologists and explorers. Now the streets of Cairo teem with violence as a political awakening shakes the region. In the face of overwhelming danger, Jack Howard and his team of marine archaeologists have gathered pieces of a fantastic puzzle. But putting it together may cost them their lives. Howard has connected a mystery hidden inside a great pyramid to a fossilized discovery in the Red Sea and a 110-year-old handwritten report of a man who claims to have escaped a labyrinth beneath Cairo. For that his team is stalked by a brutal extremist organization that will destroy any treasure they find. As people fight and die for their rights above ground, Jack fights for a discovery that will shed an astounding new light on the greatest story ever told: Moses' exodus from Egypt and the true beginnings of a new chapter in human history.
My Thoughts:
I have read and enjoyed several of these books but eve though it is a good story, you really need to be interested in Egyptian and biblical history to really get into it. It’s a very fast moving book and at times it is difficult to keep up with what is taking place. I especially enjoyed the parts that featured Jack Howard and the under water archaeological finds. However this is a series that is greatly in need of a glossary or a list of character bios since one book builds on the previous one and often touches on the next... I had trouble remembering who was who in the previous books. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I would certainly recommend it to fans of historical thrillers but it is a series that diffidently should be read in order. 3.5★'s and I think that's the lowest rating I have ever given a book in this series.
December 21, 2014
this book was given free by the publishers for my honest review.. fast paced adventure thriller based in Egypt and the pyramid in search of the hidden treasures and the myth and mystery of Akhenaten and recent as sub plot is the arab rising too
June 17, 2018
Κάπου στο 3.3-3.5*! Πάντα απολαμβάνω τις περιπέτειες του Τζακ Χάουαρντ, παρόλο που είναι πάντα σε σημείο υπερβολής, αλλά το συγκεκριμένο σε κάποιες φάσεις ξεπέρασε το όριο!
November 11, 2014
Note: I received this review copy of Pyramid for free in return for an honest review. The opinions and thoughts I share in this review are my own.
I first came across the pure delight of David Gibbins’ work with words one month a few years ago when my book group read ‘The Tiger Warrior'; the 4th book in the Jack Howard series. I absolutely loved the wording, imagery and adventure that flowed into my mind from the words written simply on the page. The world of Jack Howard was and is something far out of my range of experience so being allowed to escape into the mind and life of such a character was pure escapism. Life however always seems to get in the way and although I borrowed and/or bought copies of other books in the series, it wasn’t until now, with the chance to read and review the latest offering and adventure that I have been able to pick up and read another of these treasures.
Pyramid, like the other Jack Howard series, is a standalone novel but with one long and rather complicated storyline seemingly going throughout the entire series. Pyramid closely follows the previous story in the series; Pharaoh, though as I did, you can read Pyramid without having read Pharaoh first. This story is set (as you would imagine) mainly around the pyramids of Egypt, although also moving around to the coast of Spain and into Israel. Egypt though is not a safe place to be in at this time and I must warn readers that things do get extremely hard to read at certain points. The country is, you see, at the point of there being a coup, with religious extremists set to take over the government and kill all those who are seen to be against what they stand for. The horror of these times is well and straightforwardly written, with many things that could have been hashed over for the more sensitive readers not missed out.
The story though isn’t all death, destruction and rioting. One quote on the front of the book likens Jack Howard and the series to a cross between Indiana Jones and Dan Brown. This is extremely accurate. Jack Howard is many things; a seriously talented diver, an archaeologist, a historian and so much more which you’ll find as you read the story. All this experience and knowledge is all thanks to the talent of the author who has experience is these very different areas himself and this really shines through in the writing. I was pleased in fact to be reading much of the time on a Kindle as it saved on the many times I needed to turn to a dictionary to find out what a word meant – having a built-in dictionary was perfect for this type of book! Some of the harder and more interesting words and phrases included ‘sepulchral gloom’ and ‘bellicose’. From the way in which the word was used you could guess at a meaning but having a definition there was fantastic.
The overwhelming genre of this book is action adventure. You could call it a thriller but an unconventional one if it is. There is no ‘bad guy’ to point to, just a country undergoing one of the worst points in living memory. Despite all this however, Jack Howard and his best friend Costas manage to make their way through a dive to discover the truth behind the biblical book of Exodus, follow the footsteps and clues left by an ancient Pharaoh; Akhenaten, and at the same time expounding a historical story or theory in incredible detail, often at the worst possible times. The relationship between Jack and Costas is fantastic though and hilarious at times to watch. All characters are well detailed, explained and you really get to know them during the course of the book and series. I honestly hope it doesn’t take me as long again to read another of this wonderful series.
I first came across the pure delight of David Gibbins’ work with words one month a few years ago when my book group read ‘The Tiger Warrior'; the 4th book in the Jack Howard series. I absolutely loved the wording, imagery and adventure that flowed into my mind from the words written simply on the page. The world of Jack Howard was and is something far out of my range of experience so being allowed to escape into the mind and life of such a character was pure escapism. Life however always seems to get in the way and although I borrowed and/or bought copies of other books in the series, it wasn’t until now, with the chance to read and review the latest offering and adventure that I have been able to pick up and read another of these treasures.
Pyramid, like the other Jack Howard series, is a standalone novel but with one long and rather complicated storyline seemingly going throughout the entire series. Pyramid closely follows the previous story in the series; Pharaoh, though as I did, you can read Pyramid without having read Pharaoh first. This story is set (as you would imagine) mainly around the pyramids of Egypt, although also moving around to the coast of Spain and into Israel. Egypt though is not a safe place to be in at this time and I must warn readers that things do get extremely hard to read at certain points. The country is, you see, at the point of there being a coup, with religious extremists set to take over the government and kill all those who are seen to be against what they stand for. The horror of these times is well and straightforwardly written, with many things that could have been hashed over for the more sensitive readers not missed out.
The story though isn’t all death, destruction and rioting. One quote on the front of the book likens Jack Howard and the series to a cross between Indiana Jones and Dan Brown. This is extremely accurate. Jack Howard is many things; a seriously talented diver, an archaeologist, a historian and so much more which you’ll find as you read the story. All this experience and knowledge is all thanks to the talent of the author who has experience is these very different areas himself and this really shines through in the writing. I was pleased in fact to be reading much of the time on a Kindle as it saved on the many times I needed to turn to a dictionary to find out what a word meant – having a built-in dictionary was perfect for this type of book! Some of the harder and more interesting words and phrases included ‘sepulchral gloom’ and ‘bellicose’. From the way in which the word was used you could guess at a meaning but having a definition there was fantastic.
The overwhelming genre of this book is action adventure. You could call it a thriller but an unconventional one if it is. There is no ‘bad guy’ to point to, just a country undergoing one of the worst points in living memory. Despite all this however, Jack Howard and his best friend Costas manage to make their way through a dive to discover the truth behind the biblical book of Exodus, follow the footsteps and clues left by an ancient Pharaoh; Akhenaten, and at the same time expounding a historical story or theory in incredible detail, often at the worst possible times. The relationship between Jack and Costas is fantastic though and hilarious at times to watch. All characters are well detailed, explained and you really get to know them during the course of the book and series. I honestly hope it doesn’t take me as long again to read another of this wonderful series.
May 26, 2020
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Note: This is the 8th book in the Jack Howard series by David Gibbins so this will not be an in-depth review.
Since I am one of those people who watch documentaries for fun, it may not surprise you that my favorite kind of thriller is an archaeological thriller, the more actual history and archaeology included the better. Since Gibbins’ thrillers are practically stuffed with the aforesaid history and archaeology, then you shouldn’t be surprised that he is my favorite writer in this genre. This particular installment in the series concludes the story-arc that was started in the previous book, Pharaoh, the story arc that explores the questions, What if Akhenaton, the only pharaoh ever to practice monotheism, was the pharaoh from the stories chronicled in both the Qur’an and the Bible and If it can be proved, will this stop the tide of extremism that is sweeping across Jack Howard’s version of the Middle East?
Within the pages of this book, Gibbins talks a lot about extremism and how it affects the countries/regions it takes root in. He also extrapolates that one of the main goals of archaeology is to discover a shared past and that this is one the main reasons why extremists target places of learning and archaeological monuments and marvels first in their reigns of terror (A good example would be the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001.) Although this topic was really hard to read about, I hadn’t really thought about how extremism would influence and affect archaeology so it was interesting to learn about.
Beside the subject matter, I think another reason why this book gets lower than average rating is the dry, scholarly writing style that is heavy on the history and archaeology. Gibbins is an underwater archaeologist by trade, just like his main character Jack Howard, so his writing style makes sense. He is used to writing scholarly articles and papers and is also more interested in the history and archaeology than the more thrilling parts of his plot. As my interests go along the same lines, I am not bothered by his writing style and actually prefer it.
All in all, if you like archaeology and history, then you will probably enjoy this book. The only reason why it isn’t a 5 star read is the slight inconsistencies that show up in the narrative. 4 stars!!!!!!
Note: This is the 8th book in the Jack Howard series by David Gibbins so this will not be an in-depth review.
Since I am one of those people who watch documentaries for fun, it may not surprise you that my favorite kind of thriller is an archaeological thriller, the more actual history and archaeology included the better. Since Gibbins’ thrillers are practically stuffed with the aforesaid history and archaeology, then you shouldn’t be surprised that he is my favorite writer in this genre. This particular installment in the series concludes the story-arc that was started in the previous book, Pharaoh, the story arc that explores the questions, What if Akhenaton, the only pharaoh ever to practice monotheism, was the pharaoh from the stories chronicled in both the Qur’an and the Bible and If it can be proved, will this stop the tide of extremism that is sweeping across Jack Howard’s version of the Middle East?
Within the pages of this book, Gibbins talks a lot about extremism and how it affects the countries/regions it takes root in. He also extrapolates that one of the main goals of archaeology is to discover a shared past and that this is one the main reasons why extremists target places of learning and archaeological monuments and marvels first in their reigns of terror (A good example would be the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001.) Although this topic was really hard to read about, I hadn’t really thought about how extremism would influence and affect archaeology so it was interesting to learn about.
Beside the subject matter, I think another reason why this book gets lower than average rating is the dry, scholarly writing style that is heavy on the history and archaeology. Gibbins is an underwater archaeologist by trade, just like his main character Jack Howard, so his writing style makes sense. He is used to writing scholarly articles and papers and is also more interested in the history and archaeology than the more thrilling parts of his plot. As my interests go along the same lines, I am not bothered by his writing style and actually prefer it.
All in all, if you like archaeology and history, then you will probably enjoy this book. The only reason why it isn’t a 5 star read is the slight inconsistencies that show up in the narrative. 4 stars!!!!!!
April 26, 2016
There is no doubt that explorers and adventurers make for a good foundation of a thriller main character. There are resemblance to Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone and Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt, but unfortunately David Gibbins’ Jack Howard doesn’t reach up. He lacks a bit color, a typical symptom of ‘series fatigue’ (this is the eight installment).
The premise of the plot is excellent. Jack Howard and his team is risking everything to find the incredible secret of the sun pharaoh Akhenaten. Add to this a setting of an Egypt being taken over by religious fundamentalists. It has the potential of Indiana Jones on steroids. Unfortunately, Gibbins does not grab the opportunities of the plot and setting.
The story is full of historical information, but it is sorely lacking of action. There’s really only towards the last fifty pages that Howard and his sidekick Costas come under threat. They almost drown several times earlier in the story, but that seems to be because of their own mistakes. There has to be more threat to the main characters to keep the suspense.
The subplot of Egypt under threat from extremists is a nice touch to the story and the reader senses that the two plots will meet. But that meeting should have been much earlier in the story.
If you have followed Jack Howard from the beginning, you will have a good read. Also, if you have an extreme interest in either diving or archeology, you will not regret reading the book. But if you are searching for a great action adventure with a well animated protagonist, you will most likely be disappointed.
The premise of the plot is excellent. Jack Howard and his team is risking everything to find the incredible secret of the sun pharaoh Akhenaten. Add to this a setting of an Egypt being taken over by religious fundamentalists. It has the potential of Indiana Jones on steroids. Unfortunately, Gibbins does not grab the opportunities of the plot and setting.
The story is full of historical information, but it is sorely lacking of action. There’s really only towards the last fifty pages that Howard and his sidekick Costas come under threat. They almost drown several times earlier in the story, but that seems to be because of their own mistakes. There has to be more threat to the main characters to keep the suspense.
The subplot of Egypt under threat from extremists is a nice touch to the story and the reader senses that the two plots will meet. But that meeting should have been much earlier in the story.
If you have followed Jack Howard from the beginning, you will have a good read. Also, if you have an extreme interest in either diving or archeology, you will not regret reading the book. But if you are searching for a great action adventure with a well animated protagonist, you will most likely be disappointed.
January 21, 2016
CODICE PYRAMID – 2 stelline
Dopo parecchi giorni e ancor più fatica sono finalmente riuscita a terminare questo libro. Innanzitutto il corpo carattere minuscolo non aiuta (forse la Newton Compton aveva finito la carta?). Inoltre, purtroppo ho riscontrato tutti i difetti di un brutto libro di avventura: gli avvenimenti sono relativamente pochi rispetto alle parti in cui l’autore si sente in dovere di propinare più che esaurienti spiegazioni storiche e tecniche di cui si poteva francamente fare a meno. D’accordo la contestualizzazione storica, ma quando ci si concentra su ogni minimo dettaglio la noia prende il sopravvento, e un libro di avventura dovrebbe essere tutto fuorché noioso. Leggendo le avventure (?) di Jack Howard e Costas Kazantzakis viene spontaneo fare il paragone con i personaggi di Clive Cussler, Dirk Pitt e Al Giordino (a cui Kazantzakis peraltro assomiglia anche nella struttura fisica). Peccato per Gibbins che da questo confronto i suoi protagonisti escano completamente sconfitti. In conclusione, una delusione quasi totale, a mio parere un libro da consigliare soltanto in caso soffriate di insonnia.
Dopo parecchi giorni e ancor più fatica sono finalmente riuscita a terminare questo libro. Innanzitutto il corpo carattere minuscolo non aiuta (forse la Newton Compton aveva finito la carta?). Inoltre, purtroppo ho riscontrato tutti i difetti di un brutto libro di avventura: gli avvenimenti sono relativamente pochi rispetto alle parti in cui l’autore si sente in dovere di propinare più che esaurienti spiegazioni storiche e tecniche di cui si poteva francamente fare a meno. D’accordo la contestualizzazione storica, ma quando ci si concentra su ogni minimo dettaglio la noia prende il sopravvento, e un libro di avventura dovrebbe essere tutto fuorché noioso. Leggendo le avventure (?) di Jack Howard e Costas Kazantzakis viene spontaneo fare il paragone con i personaggi di Clive Cussler, Dirk Pitt e Al Giordino (a cui Kazantzakis peraltro assomiglia anche nella struttura fisica). Peccato per Gibbins che da questo confronto i suoi protagonisti escano completamente sconfitti. In conclusione, una delusione quasi totale, a mio parere un libro da consigliare soltanto in caso soffriate di insonnia.
July 24, 2024
I think Gibbins may be the new Clive Cussler. His two main characters work well together. He takes us to new and inviting places with each novel. With each novel, the detailed tapestry grows more vibrant. Gibbins has created a world where archaeology is cool again. He mixes Indiana Jones with Dirk Pitt. Jack Howard can't go a book without getting wet. Gibbins delves into Howard's personal past and mixes it with the current events. I'm so amazed with how his writing just keeps getting better and better.
In this book, Gibbins uses the Biblical Exodus as a backdrop to lay open a possible lead on the Akhenaten storyline. From Jerusalem to beneath the sands of the Giza Plateau, this book will keep you turning the pages.
In this book, Gibbins uses the Biblical Exodus as a backdrop to lay open a possible lead on the Akhenaten storyline. From Jerusalem to beneath the sands of the Giza Plateau, this book will keep you turning the pages.
May 21, 2016
Gli do due stelle solo perché, almeno nella versione tradotta che ho letto io, non è sgrammaticato. Per il resto assolutamente dimenticabile. Non è vero che mischiando Dan Brown, John Grisham, Ken Follett e Indiana Jones ne esca un libro godibile. Troppo prolisso, entra continuamente in spiegazioni particolareggiate che onestamente credo non interessino nessuno. Ogni dieci pagine si crea una situazione per cui i protagonisti rischiano di annegare. E io ogni tre pagine mi addormentavo. Questo è uno scrittore dal quale starò alla larga. Pfui.
June 17, 2018
The usual for this series, some eye-rolling bits, but overall entertaining.
Also as usual, the "historical" story is more interesting than the present day one with Jack Howard and co.
And apparently it's okay for Costas to just take something out of an archaeological site, losing the context in which it was taken from, but if anyone else does it it's highly illegal/inappropriate.
Also as usual, the "historical" story is more interesting than the present day one with Jack Howard and co.
And apparently it's okay for Costas to just take something out of an archaeological site, losing the context in which it was taken from, but if anyone else does it it's highly illegal/inappropriate.
July 6, 2022
Book #8 in the Jack Howard series of books. This book continues the adventures of Jack Howard and his team of archaeologists, tech geniuses and engineers. From aquatic excavations, explorations of hidden tombs and to a bustling hell scape of an extremist uprising. This book does not disappoint and delivers a great adventure that is hard to put down.
March 28, 2022
Wow, I feel like I toured the whole of Egypt in one go. This was such a good book. Oh my goodness. I'm still dazed from the whole experience.
February 23, 2019
Ich muss ehrlicherweise vorausschicken, dass ich das Buch geschenkt bekommen hatte und zu Beginn noch nicht wusste, dass es der 8. Teil einer Reihe ist, in der Protagonist Jack Howard, quasi eine Mischung aus Taucher-Indiana-Jones und Mystery-James-Bond, die Hauptrolle spielt.
Daher kann es durchaus sein, dass mir der eine oder andere Hintergrund gefehlt hat und ich vielleicht manche "unlogische" Aktionen Jacks nur deswegen als solche beurteilte, weil ich nicht wusste, wie er "tickt".
Nichtsdestotrotz beurteile ich das (von mir auf Englisch gelesene) Buch hier eigenständig, außerhalb der Reihe. Und es kommt dabei gar nicht mal so schlecht weg.
Im Prinzip spielt es in drei Zeitebenen:
- Im alten Ägypten, wo Sonnenpharao Akhenatan der Hüter eines überaus mächtigen Artefakts und eines besonderen Geheimnisses war
- Gegen Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts, wo ein britischer Soldat durch Zufall über eben dieses Geheimnis stolpert
- In der Gegenwart, wo Supertaucher Jack Howard und seine Verbündeten dem Ganzen im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes auf den Grund gehen, vor dem Hintergrund einer sehr realitätsnahen politischen Krise in Ägypten, die auch Howards andere Bemühungen gefährdet.
Eines muss man dem Buch lassen - es ist spannend. Und ich meine damit WIRKLICH spannend. Eine Abenteuergeschichte - und ja, ich muss hier wieder den Indiana Jones Vergleich anbringen - die den Bogen von der Antike über das Ende der britischen Kolonialzeit bis in die Gegenwart, mit ihren religiösen, politischen und manchmal auch religionspolitischen Konflikten und Kriegen spannt. Eine eingewobene "Versöhnungsbotschaft" vor allem zwischen Judentum und Islam inklusive.
Dazu kommt genau die richtige Portion Mystik und Erich-von-Däniken Einflüsse. Dezent, aber passend. Die Action ist solide, die Dialoge sind knackig, die Figuren sind im gehobenen Mittelfeld ausgearbeitet.
Eine Empfehlung?
Ja, mit einem "aber":
1. An zwei Stellen passt die innere Logik nicht. Einmal wird ein Kind als Baby beschrieben, dessen Alter ein paar Kapitel zuvor mit 5 angegeben wurde. Und einmal taucht (kein Wortwitz) in einer der Szenen eine Figur auf, die eigentlich zurückgelassen wurde - ohne Erklärung, eher so, als hätte der Autor vergessen, dass X eigentlich nicht mit auf dem Tauchgang ist.
2. Damit sind wir beim Kernthema: Das Buch büßt etwas (wenn auch nicht viel) von seiner Faszination ein, wenn man keine Ahnung vom Tauchsport hat. Während geschichtliche und archäologische Hintergründe zumindest beiläufig erklärt werden, wird angenommen, dass der Leser zumindest rudimentäre Kenntnisse eines Rebreathers oder der Taucherkrankheit hat.
Fazit:
Ich schwanke hier zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen und muss ganz ehrlich sagen, dass es letztendlich die richtig spannende Schreibweise ist, die mich eher zu 4 von 5 neigen lässt.
Daher kann es durchaus sein, dass mir der eine oder andere Hintergrund gefehlt hat und ich vielleicht manche "unlogische" Aktionen Jacks nur deswegen als solche beurteilte, weil ich nicht wusste, wie er "tickt".
Nichtsdestotrotz beurteile ich das (von mir auf Englisch gelesene) Buch hier eigenständig, außerhalb der Reihe. Und es kommt dabei gar nicht mal so schlecht weg.
Im Prinzip spielt es in drei Zeitebenen:
- Im alten Ägypten, wo Sonnenpharao Akhenatan der Hüter eines überaus mächtigen Artefakts und eines besonderen Geheimnisses war
- Gegen Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts, wo ein britischer Soldat durch Zufall über eben dieses Geheimnis stolpert
- In der Gegenwart, wo Supertaucher Jack Howard und seine Verbündeten dem Ganzen im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes auf den Grund gehen, vor dem Hintergrund einer sehr realitätsnahen politischen Krise in Ägypten, die auch Howards andere Bemühungen gefährdet.
Eines muss man dem Buch lassen - es ist spannend. Und ich meine damit WIRKLICH spannend. Eine Abenteuergeschichte - und ja, ich muss hier wieder den Indiana Jones Vergleich anbringen - die den Bogen von der Antike über das Ende der britischen Kolonialzeit bis in die Gegenwart, mit ihren religiösen, politischen und manchmal auch religionspolitischen Konflikten und Kriegen spannt. Eine eingewobene "Versöhnungsbotschaft" vor allem zwischen Judentum und Islam inklusive.
Dazu kommt genau die richtige Portion Mystik und Erich-von-Däniken Einflüsse. Dezent, aber passend. Die Action ist solide, die Dialoge sind knackig, die Figuren sind im gehobenen Mittelfeld ausgearbeitet.
Eine Empfehlung?
Ja, mit einem "aber":
1. An zwei Stellen passt die innere Logik nicht. Einmal wird ein Kind als Baby beschrieben, dessen Alter ein paar Kapitel zuvor mit 5 angegeben wurde. Und einmal taucht (kein Wortwitz) in einer der Szenen eine Figur auf, die eigentlich zurückgelassen wurde - ohne Erklärung, eher so, als hätte der Autor vergessen, dass X eigentlich nicht mit auf dem Tauchgang ist.
2. Damit sind wir beim Kernthema: Das Buch büßt etwas (wenn auch nicht viel) von seiner Faszination ein, wenn man keine Ahnung vom Tauchsport hat. Während geschichtliche und archäologische Hintergründe zumindest beiläufig erklärt werden, wird angenommen, dass der Leser zumindest rudimentäre Kenntnisse eines Rebreathers oder der Taucherkrankheit hat.
Fazit:
Ich schwanke hier zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen und muss ganz ehrlich sagen, dass es letztendlich die richtig spannende Schreibweise ist, die mich eher zu 4 von 5 neigen lässt.
October 23, 2021
Mi sono molto emozionata leggendo le recensioni in copertina di questo romanzo perché parlavano di uno scrittore capace di fondere uno stile come quello dei film di Indiana Jones, ai thriller di Dan Brown.
Dentro di me ho urlato di emozione nell'immaginare il connubio perfetto.
Non so se si è trattato nuovamente di un problema di aspettative troppo alte, ma devo dire che la lettura non è stata emozionante e avvincente come speravo. Per quanto io sia un'amante della storia egizia che trovo incredibilmente affascinante con tutti i suoi misteri e la sua conoscenza, ho trovato il ritmo davvero molto lento. Probabilmente la causa sono le lunghe descrizioni degli ambienti e dei diversi reperti, che pur essendo molto utili al libro ne bloccano la scorrevolezza della lettura.
In ogni caso, con questo non voglio dire che il romanzo non mi sia piaciuto, lo ho trovato molto interessante e vorrei comunque approfondire con ulteriori avventure di Jack Howard e del suo gruppo di amici ed esperti.
Dentro di me ho urlato di emozione nell'immaginare il connubio perfetto.
Non so se si è trattato nuovamente di un problema di aspettative troppo alte, ma devo dire che la lettura non è stata emozionante e avvincente come speravo. Per quanto io sia un'amante della storia egizia che trovo incredibilmente affascinante con tutti i suoi misteri e la sua conoscenza, ho trovato il ritmo davvero molto lento. Probabilmente la causa sono le lunghe descrizioni degli ambienti e dei diversi reperti, che pur essendo molto utili al libro ne bloccano la scorrevolezza della lettura.
In ogni caso, con questo non voglio dire che il romanzo non mi sia piaciuto, lo ho trovato molto interessante e vorrei comunque approfondire con ulteriori avventure di Jack Howard e del suo gruppo di amici ed esperti.
January 22, 2020
I actually listened to this one on Audible, but that was not one of the version choices listed for the book.
I have read most of, if not all, of the previous 7 books in the series by Gibbins and really enjoy reading his creations about Jack Howard. In this one, Jack has returned to Egypt and is seeking to find more archaeological treasures in the vast birthplace of archaeology. As always, there is a great deal of intrigue and excitement that goes into the story since Howard and his team always seem to get themselves into some sort of dilemma at various times in the book. This book did not disappoint in that category. The problem in this book was virtually ripped from the news feeds with Middle Eastern Extremism making every step tenuous and dangerous for the team.
I have read most of, if not all, of the previous 7 books in the series by Gibbins and really enjoy reading his creations about Jack Howard. In this one, Jack has returned to Egypt and is seeking to find more archaeological treasures in the vast birthplace of archaeology. As always, there is a great deal of intrigue and excitement that goes into the story since Howard and his team always seem to get themselves into some sort of dilemma at various times in the book. This book did not disappoint in that category. The problem in this book was virtually ripped from the news feeds with Middle Eastern Extremism making every step tenuous and dangerous for the team.
August 27, 2019
An interesting book but not the best I have read.
Having spent a lot of time in Egypt it was really exciting to read of the possible tunnels under the pyramids.
I assume that the trouble in Egypt being written of was the Egypt spring. I didnt hear of trouble at the pyramids but I did know that a ring of ordinary Egyptians surrounded the Cairo Museum stopping any looting.
I love the way that all the people in the stories blend in to the story and follow on from one book to the next especially Corporal Jones.
Having spent a lot of time in Egypt it was really exciting to read of the possible tunnels under the pyramids.
I assume that the trouble in Egypt being written of was the Egypt spring. I didnt hear of trouble at the pyramids but I did know that a ring of ordinary Egyptians surrounded the Cairo Museum stopping any looting.
I love the way that all the people in the stories blend in to the story and follow on from one book to the next especially Corporal Jones.
August 14, 2018
Ότι πρέπει για καλοκαίρι.Υπογειες στοές, καταδύσεις, ναυάγια, εξτρεμιστές και πολλα ενδιαφέροντα στοιχεία για την Αίγυπτο και τις πυραμίδες.Το κεφάλαιο στο τέλος που εξηγεί ο Gibbins τι είναι αλήθεια και τι φαντάστηκε ο ίδιος ακόμα πιο ενδιαφέρον.Οι καταδύσεις είναι πάντα το αγαπημένο μου μέρος αυτών των βιβλίων όπως και ο Κώστας Καζαντζάκης με τον οποίο γελάω πολύ κ ο οποίος πραγματικά θα μπορούσε να είναι Έλληνας.
January 18, 2018
David Gibbins always been one of my fave author in archeology and ancient history fiction... Most of the things on his books always based on a true event and true discovery, added with some awesome fictional things of course to make the book perfect but not too much to keep it real... This book pretty much awe me and make me wonder what kind of revelation that going to happen in the next chapter
November 12, 2017
Gibbins has undoubtedly mastered the craft of narration and storytelling. He keeps you on edge. He fuses imaginary and historical facts and premises making his writing so ever enjoyable as it could be.
It's a book marked for my re_read list as well!
It's a book marked for my re_read list as well!
December 11, 2017
Je ne sais pas où il trouve les idées pour ses romans, mais ils font toujours réfléchir aux différentes possibilités. Cette histoire est encore bien écrite et surtout bourrée d'action, avec tous les personnages habituels, auxquels on finit toujours par s' attacher.
April 24, 2020
Jack and Costas go tunnelling under the Giza Pyramids to find out what secrets the heretical pharoah (Akhenaten the sun god of Egypt) was hiding.
Brief synopsis I know - but no spoilers.
Excellent story. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Brief synopsis I know - but no spoilers.
Excellent story. Thoroughly enjoyed it!!
December 20, 2020
History or Fiction
Another dose of mystery and adventure from the numb team mixing history and fiction with just enough realistic information to leave you questioning what you think you know
Another dose of mystery and adventure from the numb team mixing history and fiction with just enough realistic information to leave you questioning what you think you know
August 31, 2018
I really like the Jack Howard adventures.
February 7, 2019
If you enjoy history with a modern twist, then you will enjoy this saga
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