Rate this book

Beneath The Sands Of Egypt: Adventures Of An Unconventional Archaeologist (2010)

by Donald P. Ryan(Favorite Author)

3.5 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0061732826 (ISBN13: 9780061732829)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

William Morrow

review 1: The title of this book resonated with me greatly so I decided to buy the book and read it. I was not under any false ideas of the book's content as it was quite clear on the back cover "...the extraordinary story of a man who has always embraced adventure whenever - and wherever - he finds it." In case I may have still been confused about the books content, the front cover has the words"Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist". So for me, this meant that should the reader choose to, they can go on a journey with the author whilst he takes them through some interesting life events and as he goes about conducting his his chosen career, archeology. For me I found parts of the book particularly intriguing, especially since archeology is not my field of speciality. I was... more fascinated by the meticulous approach that was undertaken on the digs, the temperatures in which work done, how an "office" could be set up in a nearby tomb and through the use of modern technology how more could be learnt about a tomb's contents than what could be learnt by past diggers. With saying this I did not find this book to be a technical book at all. I found it to be an interesting read about a man who has a passion for digging and adventure, in whatever form that may come to him.
review 2: This book is part memoir, part travel book, and part history of archaeology; as such, it never really hits stride in any of its genres. The part I enjoyed most was the history of archaeology. I really liked his comments comparing today’s archaeological methods with that of the 18th and early 19th century and the stories of people like Belzoni, Howard Carter, etc. I also liked that Ryan found interest in the mundane and “leftover” bits of archaeology, such as his willingness to study how rope was made in ancient Egypt. I also like his “advice to young archaeology enthusiasts:” it is nearly impossible to get a job; the work is only a small part romantic and exciting and much more detail drudgery and paper work (but worth it).Ryan has an engaging style. For me, it was a bit too heavy on his life experiences and bit thin on the history and scientific side, but fun to read and about the depth that I wanted right now. It leaves me wanting to read more about the history of archaeological philosophy and methods. less

Download links for: Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist

Advertising