Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians, edited by Bob Brier and Hoyt Hobbs. 336 pp. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-313-35306-2. $49.95.

This second-edition volume chronicles the vast and varied accomplishments of the ancient Egyptians, offering new illustrations, an updated and expanded bibliography and chapters discussing the Egyptians’ construction methods and the technologies they employed in their extraordinary efforts. An informative and concise introduction reminds the reader of the rich Egyptian heritage still apparent in modern society, including practical sandals, houses with patios and latrines and extensive written records. The work opens with a chronology that covers more than four thousand years, as well as a map of modern Egypt identifying ancient sites. The eleven chapters, written in an easily accessible style, explore such topics as government and society, technology and construction, warfare and medicine and mathematics, among others. In the chapter about clothing and other ornaments we learn about ancient Egyptians’ love of fashion. “Dresses fit close to the body to reveal any imperfections of figure, which may be why Egyptians maintained the slim shapes depicted in their portraits. Heads were adorned and cosmetics generously painted the faces of both women and men.” Black and white photos, illustrations, sidebars and charts add interest and afford quick reference—who were the ancient Egyptian gods? What were the hieroglyphs in the ancient Egyptian alphabet? Who were the principal gods and goddesses? A glossary, an annotated bibliography which lists Egyptology web sites and a general index round out the volume. This is another title in the Daily Life Through History series that school librarians may consider acquiring in the eBook version, as a supplement to history texts. Recommended for school and public libraries for pleasure reading or research in grades six through 12.