Product Description

The tomb of Tutankhamun, with its treasures, has exerted a hold over the popular imagination ever since its discovery in 1922. This book is a detailed and comprehensive account of this great archaeological discovery. The story of the boy-king, buried in splendour at the height of Egyptian civilization; the determined quest for his tomb by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon; the unforeseen riches eventually revealed - these are important events in the history of archaeology. However, despite the publicity at the time of the discovery and since - made more intriguing by the linking of Carnarvon's early death with the legend of the pharoah's curse - it remains a story only partly told. Carter never produced a complete account of his excavations. The Tutankhamun exhibitions of the 1960's and 1970's generated a spate of books but none added significantly to what Carter had already published about the tomb. This book is a revealing account of the subject.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #237728 in Books
• Published on: 1995-08-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

The Lady
'Essential reading'

Customer Reviews

Excellent overview
I've just come back from a trip to Cairo where I saw the Tutankhamun treasures for the first time - a truly magnificent experience, and one I'd recommend for everyone. Before the trip I read Howard Carter's book The Tomb of Tutankhamen (note the different spelling if you look for this on Amazon), and also this book by Nicholas Reeves. Carter's book gives more information and it is wonderful to read about the tomb's discovery and its objects from the man himself. However, Carter's book (at least the 1972 edition I have) only has a limited number of pictures and it was a little frustrating to read Carter's descriptions of the many "wonderful things" and yet only be shown pictures of a selection of them. This is where Reeves' book comes in as it has pictures of many more of the objects, and it also gives information on the men behind the excavation and the background leading up to the discovery. The problem with Reeves' book is that the text doesn't go into any where near the same detail as Carter's, nor is it as well written.

In summary then, I'd say Carter's book is essential reading if you want to get the most out of your visit to the Cairo museum, but I also highly recommend the Reeves book as a companion to Carter's book for the many pictures it has.

The Ultimate Tutankhamun !!
This book is simply fanatastic ! The best book about Tutankhamun around - it is the most complete study of his life, his times, his world. You must buy it because there is no other book on the subject that even compares with it ! Enough information and photographs to keep you going for years ! I bought it five years ago and I am still referring to it...

Great king, great book.
This is a hive of information about Tutankhaten, or how he became Tutankhamun, beautiful pictures, it makes a fantastic reference to the boy King, you somewhat feel saddened for him, his life was not so easy, it's all the beautiful pictures depicted centuries ago, especially the ones with him, and Ankhanasamun (his young wife), they were very much in love, it's a moving reference book.