Pyramid

Architecture

by David Macaulay

Demy folio, [27.75cm/11in], paperbound with pictorial covers, pp. 80. Fully illustrated with drawings

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Architecture, Picture Books, Childrens, Egypt, Art

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on the European Honors Program, he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and vowed never to practice. After working as an interior designer, a junior high school teacher, and a teacher at RISD, Macaulay began to experiment with creating books. He published his first book, Cathedral, in 1973. Following in this tradition, Macaulay created other books—including City, Castle, Pyramid, Mill, Underground, Unbuilding, and Mosque—that have provided the explanations of the how and the why in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, the human race’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments have been demystified through Macaulay's elaborate show-and-tells. Five of these titles have been made into popular PBS television programs.

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyramid is another of David Macaulay’s popular children’s books published in the 1970s, all of which I think are still in print.



The books feature black and white drawings, occupying most of a page (sometimes spread over two pages) of the large format (12 ½" x p 3/8") hardbound books. Explanatory text is inserted in the margins. The text explains the drawings, and gives an overview of how people of the time were able, over long periods, to accomplish the engineering tasks needed to build the featured constructions.

This book tells of how a fictional pyramid would have been built in Egypt in the middle of the third millennium BC. The drawings depict, in addition to the main (Pharaoh's) pyramid, a smaller pyramid next to it (the Queen's) plus two separate temples built in the space between the Nile and the pyramids; the architectural plans of all the buildings, and the rather simple tools used to accomplish the work. The text explains the details of how these tasks were carried out, the order in which things were done, the auxiliary tasks which needed doing to support the main effort, etc.



A pyramid of this size (it is compared to the great Pyramid at Giza) was built using ramps (built with rubble held together with Nile mud) along all four sides of the pyramid. As courses of giant blocks rose from ground level, these ramps ran around and around the pyramid, providing separate paths which allowed the separate sides of the pyramid of receive the pre-sculpted blocks as the levels rose. Eventually, near the top, there was no room for all four ramps, two were abandoned - the two left allowed blocks to be moved up one ramp, and the transport sleds to be moved down the other.

Macaulay's books are very accessible to younger readers with an interest in history, engineering, or cultures of the past. They are also satisfying read for adults. The simple illustrations set the books apart from other non-fiction, and narrow in on their very narrow subject in a way that would be difficult to find at all in other books. They're also wonderful books to read to youngsters with an interest in historical things. This I know from experience.




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Previous review: Seven Against Thebes
Next review: A Mencken Chrestomathy
Older review: Values in a Universe of Chance

Previous library review: The Soccer War
Next library review: Carlton in Melbourne, Oz, a book of photos

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Same review for Castle, Cathedral, and Pyramid, which I read all around the same time)

I greatly enjoyed Randall Munroe's What If. It reminded me in some ways of David Macaulay's books, which I read as a child. Inspired and nostalgic, I went out and acquired several of them, and decided to spell some of my "grown-up" reading with them:

- Castle is about a British castle in the 1200s-1300s
- Cathedral is about a French cathedral in the 1200s-1300s
- Pyramid is about an Egyptian pyramid in the 2400s BC

These are picture books that trace the construction of the title buildings from start to finish. They are technically fiction - the buildings and characters are made-up - but much of the books is comprised of architectural and historical details that are based on reality. The buildings in these books all take several decades to complete, and Macaulay beautifully captures the joy of building and engineering. There is a glossary at the end of each, a feature for which I am always grateful.

My favorites were the intermittent illustrations that illustrated the same view of the building at different intervals of time. Cathedral stands out here above the others; there are a few extra of these "t=1, t=2, ..." drawings. I also thought Cathedral featured the best illustrations overall, perhaps because of the larger number of intricacies and ornate decorations.

[Karl Gruenewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brisk journey through the construction process of one of the most endlessly fascinating monuments in human history, sure to captivate audiences both young and old alike.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this event was sponsored by the national building museum

[Lee]

The illustrations got it right, clearly it was aliens.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might have read this years ago, but I couldn't remember for sure. This is worth a second read, if that's what this was. I appreciate David Macaulay's skill at making things I am not terribly interested in very readable for me. I find the pyramids themselves very interesting, but all the minute details of construction could turn into a chore to read with a less adept author. Macaulay's illustrations help a lot with the details and add to my interest in the subject. I was very fascinated in the details of mummification.

Reading about the step-by-step process of building a pyramid made me wonder at the great feats humans can accomplish with enough manpower, time, and expertise! I'm glad Macaulay explained in the beginning that "because life on earth was relatively short, the Egyptians built their houses of mud. They built their tombs of stone since life after death was eternal." Knowing that helped me not to think as much about the huge amount of resources, time, and manpower devoted to what amounts to the final resting place for one king - even though it is an incredible and amazing structure I would love to see sometime!

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pyramids in Egypt remain extremely impressive structures, there is still debate over how such “primitive” people could move millions of large stones in such a precise manner. A large part of the debate is based on an unwillingness to admit that people that lived four thousand years ago were actually smart and capable.
This book, based on knowledge and logical deduction, demonstrates how the Egyptians were able to quarry, transport and place the massive number of large blocks of stone into their precise locations. It is based on having a large number of laborers willing to work long days, years with which to complete the task and high-quality engineering expertise. All of these were present in ancient Egypt, based on a strong central government centered around the Pharaoh.
Written at the level of the late elementary school child and profusely illustrated, this book is a worthy addition to all elementary school libraries.

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

So intriguing! What brilliant methods the ancient Egyptians employed to create all that they did!

This book explained so many details pictorially as well as textually. I finally was able to understand how they used the ramps, created the underground tunnels, put roofing slabs in place, carved the tops of the columns and pillars, quarried the limestone, etc. They were skilled indeed. Impressive, to say the least!

[Maryellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is for ages 8-10, I can say that, at 27, I don’t know everything about the pyramids and this book taught me some fun new info

[Runway Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyramid is a meticulously illustrated guide to building a pyramid, from sketching a plan and surveying the site to placing the capstone and preparing Pharoah's body. Macaulay's writing is succinct, his detailed drawings are beautiful and his insight into Egyptian life and customs in 2470 BC is phenomenal. This instructive book will keep our kids coming back for more time and time again over the coming years. 

[AmbroseKalifornia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timeless classic, like all his work. Macaulay is always a standout. Simple, clear language, approprite for all ages, explaning how a pyramid was built. The real draw of this oversized hardback is the incredibly detailed illustrations. Done in simple black and white the art is unadorned and precise. Like Castle, City, and Cathedral, this book is a wonderful treasure that you can pass on to future generations.

Recommended to everyone.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one as much as Castle. The Spouse is interested in Egyptology, so I found myself wondering how much of it is still true, thirty years after it was published.

[Devyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pyramid is surprisingly technical for a children's book. The illustrations on every page give an amazing amount of clarity to the making of a mathematical wonder that somehow no collage grade architectural book has thought to duplicate.

[Louise Mayhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyramid by David Macaulay came to mind when I was teaching History of the World to my 7th and 8th graders and we were studying ancient Egypt. So I ordered it, read it and will offer it to any students who would like to learn more of the making of the pyramids. It really is amazing that at that time in history something this involved could be built with the simple equipment they had and still last for so long! As only Macaulay can do his detailed drawings on almost every page add so much to the book.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book. While it does have a story of sorts -- a pharaoh, knowing he will eventually die, has his pyramid built -- it's not really about that. It's about the incredible drawings and engaging way of passing on the information about how pyramids and such were built and how that was even possible before power tools and so on. My fifth grader read this as part of his school work because it is a very look way to learn information about the ancient Egyptians. 

[Bethany Camera-Schley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of how pyramids are built. A look into how an ancient culture treated the death of the pharaoh. Pretty much as soon as they take the throne they begin to build their tomb for death. There is a mention of the ba and ka. The ba is the soul of the person that still lives on earth after death. A look into an ancient civilization culture since things have changed since then. I loved the artwork he provided about the pyramids. Along with how it might have looked inside.

[LeAndra Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational!! But I was surprised at the accuracy and detail of the black and white drawings. I don't typically care for drawings; I prefer the actual pictures, but they were really good. Great information and would be perfect for writing a report, research paper, or gathering information to use another way.

[Jing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, a perfect picture-guide to the basics of how pyramids are built. Read the book to my seven year old but really, I appreciate this primer as much as she does, so we both had tons of fun.

[Juan Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise and convincing.

The illustrations describe the process in a straightforward way. The purpose of showing how it was built, a step by step story, is accomplished with no frills nor speculations.

[Christoph Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the unique illustration style that makes this book fun to read. Also, I like how he spends a lot of time on the less glamorous parts of construction such as the construction of the foundation. I wish I would have had this book as a kid; the quirky illustration style really draws you in.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such neat drawings and high level explanation of something that is so remarkable and quite honestly, unbelievable. I'm just fascinated by how pyramids were built by people with not much more than a hand tool and basic physics.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not as insightful as I'd hoped it would be, but a neat description of how the process/timing of building the great pyramid might have played out.

[Roslyn Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Castle, but still a well done book. My almost-six-year-old liked it.

[Travis Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denoted as a children’s book, yet the level of detail and imagination it is sure to inspire is a gift for all ages. Truly fascinating for anyone interested in ancient Egypt.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story of the construction of a pyramid in ancient Egypt. Meticulously illustrated.

[Nick Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent David Macaulay book, as thorough and detailed as you’d expect. The human element is lesser here than in his other works, perhaps.

[James C. Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and beautifully drawn

Like all of Macaulay 's books very well done. A perfect book for a youngster with an interest in ancient Egypt!
Recommended!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and very descriptive.

[Eli Poteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

the art is incredible!

the lack of reflection on SES is not!

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing picture book and prose detailing the inside of Egyptian pyramids which we used in our Classical Dialectic homeschool history class.