Unwrapping the Pharaohs

The study of Ancient Egypt is a treat for young and old alike. Where else in history do you find gigantic pyramids, perfectly preserved mummies, cat goddesses, and linen kilts? I know I can't resist a good book about Ancient Egypt, and when I came across this one, I was intrigued both by the content and also by the fact that it's published by Master Books, a Christian publisher most well-known for their creation science materials. I knew I was really in for a treat! Not only is this book absolutely gorgeous, but most importantly for believers, it strives to give a more accurate chronology by using the historical records that all writers on Ancient Egypt use, plus the Hebrew Bible. This gives us a more complete picture of the ancient world as a whole and how the Egyptian culture (which did not exist in isolation) interacted with other cultures. This book takes readers on a tour of Ancient Egypt chronologically, from the first dynasty to the last dynasties. The first 27 chapters each focus on a dynasty (or a portion of one) and examine the archaeology and other records of the time period to suggest possible dates for important events. The last two chapters bring everything together, focusing on the issue of dating and providing a biblically-based set of dates for Egyptian history. You'll not only get a very complete look at the entire Egyptian civilization, but you'll also find references to biblical accounts as well as discussion on assigning dates using a variety of references. Throughout, the reader is treated to full-color captioned photos of the architecture, artifacts, and art of the times. Each chapter begins with a basic timeline on the dynasty being examined, with traditional dates vs. the authors' suggested revised dates, kings reigning during that time, events in Egyptian history, and corresponding events in biblical history. As a bonus, a DVD is included which features David Down, one of the authors, visiting and discussing the pyramids and the temples. The 86-minute DVD presents similar information as in the book, but with video of the sites and terrific commentary for all those audio learners. Although the whole package is a little bit pricey, this is an awesome resource that will doubtlessly enhance your studies in a whole new way! 221 pgs, hc.