*Starred Review* Pharaonic Egypt and ancient Greece are probably the most studied ancient civilizations in our schools. General-reader interest in the two cultures broadens to include everyday life, making these two works a welcome addition to most libraries. Both start with a time line and historical overview of their respective civilizations, but the bulk of the material is devoted to the lives of ordinary people. Each book covers society, religion, private and public life, technology and science, economics, leisure, clothing and fashion, cuisine, and other aspects of daily living. Readers learn how similar they are to us; for example, the Egyptians were fond of hunting and fishing, and the Greeks kept pets. Readers will also see how different they were from us, as the Greek sense of citizenship was very different from our contemporary one, and the Egyptians used a blend of empirical observation and magic in their medical practice—both aspects coexisted in harmony. Where the references differ is how they approach their narratives. The focus seems sharper in Ancient Egypt—although comparisons to contemporary living are ubiquitous, this book uses analogies to help readers better understand the salient conditions pharaonic Egyptians faced. On the other hand, Ancient Greece draws out the similarities and differences between ancient Greek society and contemporary Western society. And indeed, the last chapter discusses ancient Greece’s impact on contemporary society, while there is no such comparison in Ancient Egypt. A possible reason for the different approaches could be that ancient Greece is seen as a foundation for modern democracies, and hence the text is comparing current society with what is regarded as the original prototype of modern democratic society. As life in ancient Egypt does not have such a strong connection with contemporary society, the focus is more on understanding the civilization than on drawing a comparison. Both are excellent works, given their varying objectives. There are color maps, photographs, and reproductions dotting the text of both books, and they each have a glossary, an index, and an extensive bibliography for those interested in additional research. The bibliographies in both works cite books as well as websites. Ancient Greece also cites additional audiovisual works and thematically classifies its references (while Ancient Egypt is footnoted). Although the references may seem dated (most are from the 1980s and ’90s), they are still relevant in depth and scope for most middle- and high-school students. For the price and level of coverage, both works are well suited for school projects that require students to go beyond their standard textbooks, and also for general readers interested in ancient Greece or pharaonic Egypt. Recommended for school and public libraries. --Muhammed Hassanali
About the Author
Bob Brier is senior research fellow at the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Recognized as one of the foremost experts on mummies in the world, he conducts pioneering research in mummification practices and has investigated some of the worlds most famous mummies, including King Tut, Vladimir Lenin, and Ramses the Great. Brier has also studied pyramids and tombs in over 15 countries and has hosted award-winning television specials for TLC. He is the author of over 100 articles and many books, including The Encyclopedia of Mummies (Facts on File) and The Murder of Tutankhamen (Penguin). He lives in Long Island, NY. A. Hoyt Hobbs is professor of philosophy at the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He is author of Fieldings Complete Guide to Egypt and A Complete Guide to Egypt and the Archaeological Sites (both HarperCollins).
