pickThis is somehow the early 2000s version of „Fie Königin“ by Sebastian Conrad, which came out last year. Tyldesley examines the story of Nofretete (Nefertiti) be becoming icon throughout the 19th century, whilst Conrad throws light on her influence in the modern day mass media as well.
As archaeologists and anthropologists we are arch-appropriators of material cultures. The objects we collect from ethnographic contexts, the artefacts we find in the earth, are no longer a part of the material culture to which they once belonged. From the moment of collection or discovery they become part of our material culture, our systems of cultural significance.
This book should be titled, When Women "Ruled" the World instead. While I thought this was going to be about female empowerment/feminism... it's giving much more, "she was in power only bc... "xx" reason." Men were still seen as superior. I thought this was going to be about a time when women were seen as equals.. but the author enjoys pointing out the fact women were never equal - this was all coincidence/luck that brought them into their power.
pick"It's what she has chosen. One daughter reached for the sun, and the other is content to feel its rays on her garden. They are different, that is all."
This is a solid book about Nefertitis life and those around here told from the pov of her half-sister Mutnodjmet. I loved how interesting all the characters were, and I was super intrigued with the history of Egypt.
pick3/5 ⭐️
A fun read set in ancient Egypt with a strong female lead and frustrating characters with bad intentions.
so-soI have mixed feelings about “Egypt‘s Golden Couple: When Akhenaten & Nefertiti Were Gods On Earth”. Each chapter begins with an annoying & unnecessary fictional short that feels like padding. The focus on art is cool, but the authors tend to make sweeping statements without consistently proving them or disproving conflicting theories. I didn‘t like it as much as the 1998 book; I look forward to seeing how the 2023 one compares. #historathon2023
pickPeople with more knowledge of Egyptian history may feel differently about this book but my knowledge is limited and I found this very informative. Some parts were a bit dry, and at times the author assumes things without proof to support it, but that still didn't distract me from the fascinating lives of these six powerful women.
so-soPretty dry and a bit of a slog through the first half of the book, but it picks up. I liked the second half a lot more than the first. If you are interested in the Egyptians and ancient history, your patience will be rewarded if you stick with it. I gave it two stars for the first half and almost a four for the last two sections, for a three overall. But I realize it won't be for everyone.
Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-GoldCpl
so-soWith an unconventional structure, this book can be both fascinating… and a little dry. The chapters open with a fictionalized scene the husband-wife team imagines in the lives of the pharaoh, relatives & employees. Then, they backtrack into evidence supporting these scenes. The translation of hieroglyphs & inclusion of drawings & photographs really shines. This juxtaposition of fact & fiction isn‘t for me but I appreciated the thorough research!
