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Publisher:
Simon & Schuster |
Release
Date: January 2004 |
ISBN:
0671028561 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon US
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Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Historical Midlist [1828, Egypt] |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewer
Notes: |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
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Champollion
The Egyptian
By Christian Jacq
Jean-Francois
Champollion is famous for being the first decipherer of hieroglyphics.
This is the story of his epic trek through Egypt to rescue antiquities
for France from their careless and destructive owners. Captaining
a team of colorful and shady characters, Champollion falls in love
with this ancient land and becomes a part of it to such a degree
that he is called "The Egyptian."
That Jacq is passionate
about Egypt and its history is apparent in all his works, but perhaps
never quite as much as in this book. Champollion and his team are
all larger-than-life characters and enjoy a Mediterranean fervour
for life in general, and the mysterious, charismatic country of
Egypt in particular. Jacq has a keen eye for describing the sun-bleached
ruins and it is hard not to get carried away with it all. As Champollion
fights beaurocrats, potentates and villains every step of the way,
this tale has more than a touch of Indiana Jones about it, and a
seasoning of the supernatural. Sinister figures warning him of dangers
appear from behind every column, and at least one member of his
party is working against him. All this cloak-and-dagger stuff is
entertaining and pacey, but it does tend to detract from the serious
intent of the book to introduce the worthy work of the "Father
of Egyptology" to a wider audience. I, for one, would have
liked a few more facts, as well as the breathless enthusiasm of
Champollion for everything he sees. This, notwithstanding, if you
like archaeological adventures replete with tomb robbers and skulduggery,
this ought to be up your dark alley.
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