Egyptian Mummies: Unraveling the Secrets of an Ancient Art

I read Dr. Brier's article on mummification in Discover magazine sometime in 2000, which led me to read this book. It is meticulously researched, the methods well-described (perhaps too much so - some of the details are simply nauseating!), and the subject well-covered. His sense of humour, though obviously warped, is quite enjoyable, and the book is a great read. It also provides matter for the serious amateur and expert alike to ponder. A splendid book.

I recieved this book three...maybe four years ago as a gift. At first, the photographs of actual corpses and mummified remains of people who lived thousands of years ago kind of spooked me out every time I looked at the book, but as time went on and I got used to the photographs, I was able to actually read and appreciate this informative text. The mummies (which were not in bandages, necessarily, but unwrapped, uncovered, and undisturbed) actually became interesting to view, and I was able to gain an even greater appreciation of Ancient Egyptian culture through reading this book. If all a person knows about mummies comes from a Brenden Fraser, a Louis Gossett Jr., or a Boris Karloff movie, s/he will be stunned to read a book like this, which is entertaining, informative, and most importantly true to the ancient culture of Egypt.

I read this book a few years ago, and thought that it was absolutely wonderful! It made me think of mummies in a different light: not as being nasty corpses, but as being beautifully preserved human remains of an ancient people who were very much loved. It was very interesting and informative about it's topic. I think that it would appeal to anyone interested in mummies, not just scholars. As soon as I started reading it, I knew I would love it. And I did. Dr. Brier is a very interesting writer, as well as an extremely nice and cheerful person. (I met him at a lecture last month) I highly reccomend this book to everyone, regardless.

This is a great book. Bob Brier combines a great sence of organization along with his humor and wit. It is a rare find in book about Ancient Egypt to have a person who is so enthusiasic about the ancients as he is. No longer is History Bonk, Brier makes it living. I plan to pursue a career in Egyptology and have attempted to read the dry, booring naratives of some of these " scholars" ( Budge), but this is a great work of scholarship. I applaude you Mr. Brier, Bravo!!!!!

Bob Brier's wonderful book, "Egyptian Mummies: Unraveling the Secrets of an Ancient Art" could have been titled, "Everyting You Ever Wanted To Know About Egyptian Mummies--And more!" He discusses everything about this fascinating process in a fresh, entertaining but "popularly scholarly" style. I particularly enjoyed the historical accounts of mummy discoveries and the sometimes eccentric personalities involved. The method Howard Carter used to remove the inner sarcophagus of Tutankhamen was marvelous! Anyone who enjoyed Dr. Brier's recent cable-TV series, "The Great Egyptians" will enjoy this book. (The series, and Dr. Brier's engaging on-air delivery, was what made me seek out his book.)