The Book of the Dead is not a single text but a compilation of spells that the ancient Egyptians believed would assist them in the afterlife as they made their perilous journey toward the realm of the gods and the ultimate state of eternity. No two copies are identical. The spells are often accompanied by colored vignettes; which graphically show the imagined landscape of the Netherworld; the gods and demons whom the deceased will meet; and the critical “weighing of the heartâ€â€•the judgment that will determine whether the traveler will be admitted into the afterlife or condemned to destruction by the monstrous “Devourer.†With contributions from leading scholars and detailed catalog entries that interpret the spells and painted scenes; this fascinating and important book affords a greater understanding of ancient Egyptian belief systems and poignantly reveals the hopes and fears of mortal man about the “world†beyond death. The whole is beautifully illustrated with specially commissioned photographs of these exceptional papyri and an array of contextual funerary objects―painted coffins; gilded masks; amulets; jewelry; tomb figurines; and mummy trappings.
#874664 in Books 2014-11-05Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.59 x 1.36 x 6.36l; .0 #File Name: 0674058143456 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Looking at History with a Fresh Pair of EyesBy T. BernerMr. Moten's book is a valuable work for both the expert and the casual reader. Well written; it covers the history of the US Presidential/military relationship by focusing on a series of episodes; primarily major American wars from the revolution through the most recent Iraq war. Even though some of the material will be familiar to veteran readers in the field; Mr. Moten manages to put new twists on old stories. He does not rely on conventional wisdom.Still; there are places where he could have been a bit more unconventional. He rightly; I think; decries the tendency of the JCS since the 1950s to be Administration yes men and he also indicates; in damning detail; just how long Harry Truman wrongly tolerated Douglas MacArthur's insubordination. But he presents Truman's ultimate firing as a triumph of civilian control of the military. It was not. Truman only mildly chided MacArthur's insubordinate statements to the press; but; always the partisan politician; he fired him for the one thing MacArthur did that he was supposed to do: express his views to a Congressman who requested them. Granted; Congressman Martin misused the information; but the military takes an oath to support the Constitution; not the Commander-in-Chief; and that includes being frank to Congress. By punishing a military man for responding to a question from Congress; Truman set the stage for the emasculated JCS we saw in the 1960s; where; as HR McMaster shows in painful detail; Robert McNamara would blatantly lie about JCS advice and they did nothing to fix the record. MacArthur's firing led inevitably to an emasculated military.Similarly; Mr. Moten is too harsh on LBJ's advisors. Once we supported the coup which destabilized the entire region; there was no viable alternative than to act as we did. Even before JFK was killed; Cambodia; citing US support of the coup; broke its alliance with the US and declared non-aligned status. If we hadn't moved to prop up our puppets; we would have been distrusted throughout the Third World.Finally; while Mr. Moten is very effective at damning the flaws of the planning of the Iraq War in 2003 and; unlike other critics; acknowledges that it is demonstrable fact that at one time; Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction (and; frankly; anyone who listened to Secretary Powell's evidence at the UN should have realized that we'd never find the WMDs); he should have acknowledged that Saddam funded; equipped and trained nearly all the terrorist groups in existence in 2003. Iraq was both a legitimate target in the "War on Terror" and its defeat was effective (a lot fewer school buses full of Israeli school children and US embassies have been destroyed since Saddam fell). A 1600 page report documenting that was published by the Pentagon in 2008; but most commentators have just ignored it. Mr. Moten is far too honest an historian to do so.But these are all minor blemishes compared to the virtues of the book and the way the book has of making the reader reexamine many of the assumptions he had about historical figures: Alexander Hamilton's attempted power grab during the Quasi War against France; Winfield Scott's efforts to fulfill the policies of an antagonistic President Polk; General Grant's instinctive grasp of the balance between the political sphere and the military sphere; Woodrow Wilson's complete abdication of leadership during World War I; Harry Hopkins crucial role in smoothing the differences between George Marshall and FDR; Maxwell Taylor's marginalization of the JCS (they were barely consulted during the Missile Crisis and the decisions that led us to Vietnam were largely Taylor's); Colin Powell's skillful efforts to bring the military viewpoint back into the policy debate and Donald Rumsfeld's efforts to shove them out again.Time and again; Mr. Moten makes the reader revisit the familiar and forces him to look at it with fresh eyes. That s a signal achievement.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This historical assessment of interactions between Commanders in Chief and ...By David P. McLain Jr.This historical assessment of interactions between Commanders in Chief and the Generals assigned to complement civil authority by strategic insights and execution is detailed and insightful. I can't help but believe it is; or will be; on the required reading lists at the Army War College and the National Defense University. The range of personal and official relationships are captured in detail and their impact on key moments in National history is clear. Meaningful history indeed. Thanks for offering this book in the Kindle library.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent treatment of an important subjectBy HoodlumExcellent treatment of an important subject. The author writes well and ably places the key figures in their contexts. My favorite sections had to do with Congress/Washington; Lincoln/McClellan; and Roosevelt/Marshall. Highly recommended.
