The Gods of the Egyptians, Vol. 1

Rating:
Summary: WARNING: ONLY USEFUL FOR THE LEARNED!
Review: For those looking for a clear and up-dated overview of ancient Egyptian religion, THIS IS NOT THEIR BOOK. As it happens with many of Budge's books, this two-volumes set is quite out-dated and, moreover, it is highly-speculative (but without warning one that what he says is just that: speculation). Non the less, for those with a rather deep acquaintaince of the Egyptian Mythology and beliefs, it still could be helpful in certain matters. And, as it always occurs with Budge's works, there are scattered here and there some bits of useful data. Another criticism, which can be extended over to any of his other titles, is the lack or meagre references to the bibliography or documents from which he extracted his quotations. So that, BEGINNERS BEWARE!

Rating:
Summary: WARNING: ONLY USEFUL FOR THE LEARNED!
Review: For those looking for a clear and up-dated overview of ancient Egyptian religion, THIS IS NOT THEIR BOOK. As it happens with many of Budge's books, this two-volumes set is quite out-dated and, moreover, it is highly-speculative (but without warning one that what he says is just that: speculation). Non the less, for those with a rather deep acquaintaince of the Egyptian Mythology and beliefs, it still could be helpful in certain matters. And, as it always occurs with Budge's works, there are scattered here and there some bits of useful data. Another criticism, which can be extended over to any of his other titles, is the lack or meagre references to the bibliography or documents from which he extracted his quotations. So that, BEGINNERS BEWARE!

Rating:
Summary: Clearly presented !
Review: I find the narrow mindedness of the earlier reviewers disgusting. It is typical of our present day amateurs to judge excellent work after having briefly skimmed over it with sporting eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Clearly presented !
Review: I noticed many criticizing Budge for this 2-vol. set on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt. To his credit, he provides much useful and obscure information that modern authors tend to leave out. If you want simple definitions of the gods and goddesses, then no, these volumes aren't for you; but, the Ancient Egyptians religion was not a simple one. I love Budge's books more that anything because he provides the heiroglyphic texts for you to see for yourself, you don't have to rely on what someone else says they mean. There are times he makes statements about the Egyptians that are now considered untrue (i.e. that they were savages... or other statements about their religion) but if you read his other books, you will find that his opinion changed over time, and he says so in his books. I would recommend any of Budge's books for the extensive amount of information they provide, and the actual heiroglyphic texts they provide for you to translate yourself if you choose to.

Rating:
Summary: GIVE BUDGE THE CREDIT HE DESERVES!
Review: I noticed many criticizing Budge for this 2-vol. set on the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt. To his credit, he provides much useful and obscure information that modern authors tend to leave out. If you want simple definitions of the gods and goddesses, then no, these volumes aren't for you; but, the Ancient Egyptians religion was not a simple one. I love Budge's books more that anything because he provides the heiroglyphic texts for you to see for yourself, you don't have to rely on what someone else says they mean. There are times he makes statements about the Egyptians that are now considered untrue (i.e. that they were savages... or other statements about their religion) but if you read his other books, you will find that his opinion changed over time, and he says so in his books. I would recommend any of Budge's books for the extensive amount of information they provide, and the actual heiroglyphic texts they provide for you to translate yourself if you choose to.

Rating:
Summary: A Lot of Conjecture Mixed with Fact
Review: The most frustraing thing about E.A. Wallis Budge's books is that it's often impossible to tell when he's using conjecture and when he's actually stating a fact. Far too often he'll make a statement that today we know to be false -- for example, that the name of "Bast" and "Sekhmet" derive from words for "fire", which they don't as they mean (respectively) "Devouring/Ointment Lady" and "Powerful Lady" (nothing at all to do with fire) -- and then make a statement that actually has some basis in fact. For BEGINNERS, I would say: STAY AWAY from this book until you have a very firm grasp of Egyptian society and culture. If you need an indexed book about Egyptian deities, try George Hart's "Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses". For ADVANCED USERS, I would say: Yes, you should probably read this, but be sure that when Budge makes a statement that there's some way to verify what he's saying, or your research could be seriously skewed.

Rating:
Summary: For General Info, Great. For serious study-Steer Away
Review: Wallis Budges' Book, "The Gods of The Egyptians" was Interesting at BEST and full of insulting and incorrect terminology and opinions about the Ancient Egyptians at WORST!! The book delved into the belief structure of the religion of the Egyptians but he referred to the Egyptians as "savages" many times then made statements that "...their ideas about the world beyond the grave and God and gods were of a savage, childish and inconsistent character". He also made the statement that "..it is difficult to see how the eminent Egyptologist could attempt to compare the conceptions of God formed by a half-civilized African people with those of such cultured nations as the Greeks and Romans". ANY educated man that has studied Egypt knows that the Egyptians TAUGHT the Greeks everything they THOUGHT they knew who came into Egypt ignorant and obsessed with homosexuality I.E.- Socrates, Pythagora credited w/(Pythagorems Theorom) which he learned in Egypt and the Romans were the same way. The Romans INVADED Egypt.. raping the country of her knowledge and culture.. which is how the Romans got THEIR knowledge I.E.- The Library of Alexandria. It is well known that Egypt was considered the "Learning Center Of The World" and had even developed the FIRST writing systems and were mathematical, medicinal and philosophical geniuses. YET... Wallis Budge would have his readers believe that they were SAVAGES and their religion wasn't really even worth bothering with.. yet he neglects to mention that it is the SAME religion upon which Christianity was based. So I would say to read Mr. Budges books (but especially this one), with a reserved and cautious mind. I have quite a few of his books, and they all maintain that same opinionated and incorrect view of the Egyptians and their culture. Therefore if you take his writings literally and as pure fact.. you might miss the GREATNESS that existed in an ancient people and their culture.