The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries

Rating:
Summary: A useful reference book for the layperson.
Review: "The Complete Pyramids" is a gorgeous book, resplendent with photographs, diagrams and computer-generated images, and serves well as a near-comprehensive reference work on the pyramids of Egypt (that is, _all_ of them, not simply the Giza complex) for the layperson. The writing is less than inspiring but still serviceable, and the presentation will most definitely satisfy the "USA Today"-style at-a-glance needs of many people. For example, Lehner includes a rendered-to-scale figure of all of the pyramids of Egypt in cross-section, to give an idea of the chronology and scope of pyramid-building throughout Egyptian history. As a compendium of the conclusions and currently predominant ideas of modern Egyptology, this book probably has few peers.

Lehner often fails, however, to convey a real sense of the methodology involved in reaching these conclusions. Too often, we are told of the likely functions of specific features of the pyramids or their surrounding complexes without being told of the basis by which Egyptologists assign these functions. One notable exception to this is Lehner's treatment of recent attempts to elucidate the methods by which the pyramids were built. Perhaps this is due to Lehner's direct participation in such projects, but the relative care taken to explain the current state of knowledge regarding ancient Egyptian pyramid-building techniques stands in contrast to the lack of explication given to far too many other subjects. Thus, by comparison Paul Jordan's "Riddles of the Sphinx" is a superior work in this regard, if less focused on the pyramids.

The inclusion of such reasoning is necessary if only because the popular literature is so littered with "alternative" (most often, crank) views in which the pyramids are constructed by aliens or lost "Atlantean" civilizations of greater antiquity than Egypt. It would seem reasonable in such an atmosphere to provide the reader with the rationale for the modern archaeological view in addition to an exposition of it. Along these lines, Robert Bauval's "Orion" hypothesis for the alignment of the Giza pyramids merits a few sentences, but no substantive discussion is given to it. Perhaps my recent reading material has given me a particular bias, but even without having to answer the claims of "alternative" cranks, "The Complete Pyramids" would have benefited from more discussion of method along with the conclusions. Still, this is a fine book, and I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A useful reference book for the layperson.
Review: "The Complete Pyramids" is a gorgeous book, resplendent with photographs, diagrams and computer-generated images, and serves well as a near-comprehensive reference work on the pyramids of Egypt (that is, _all_ of them, not simply the Giza complex) for the layperson. The writing is less than inspiring but still serviceable, and the presentation will most definitely satisfy the "USA Today"-style at-a-glance needs of many people. For example, Lehner includes a rendered-to-scale figure of all of the pyramids of Egypt in cross-section, to give an idea of the chronology and scope of pyramid-building throughout Egyptian history. As a compendium of the conclusions and currently predominant ideas of modern Egyptology, this book probably has few peers.

Lehner often fails, however, to convey a real sense of the methodology involved in reaching these conclusions. Too often, we are told of the likely functions of specific features of the pyramids or their surrounding complexes without being told of the basis by which Egyptologists assign these functions. One notable exception to this is Lehner's treatment of recent attempts to elucidate the methods by which the pyramids were built. Perhaps this is due to Lehner's direct participation in such projects, but the relative care taken to explain the current state of knowledge regarding ancient Egyptian pyramid-building techniques stands in contrast to the lack of explication given to far too many other subjects. Thus, by comparison Paul Jordan's "Riddles of the Sphinx" is a superior work in this regard, if less focused on the pyramids.

The inclusion of such reasoning is necessary if only because the popular literature is so littered with "alternative" (most often, crank) views in which the pyramids are constructed by aliens or lost "Atlantean" civilizations of greater antiquity than Egypt. It would seem reasonable in such an atmosphere to provide the reader with the rationale for the modern archaeological view in addition to an exposition of it. Along these lines, Robert Bauval's "Orion" hypothesis for the alignment of the Giza pyramids merits a few sentences, but no substantive discussion is given to it. Perhaps my recent reading material has given me a particular bias, but even without having to answer the claims of "alternative" cranks, "The Complete Pyramids" would have benefited from more discussion of method along with the conclusions. Still, this is a fine book, and I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating compendium of Egypt's pyramid complexes.
Review: As an armchair archeologist, I was impressed with the completeness, detail and depth of information presented about the pyramids, their temple complexes and the cultures that produced them. This should be a core volume in your ancient civilizations library.

Rating:
Summary: Lehner does the job!
Review: Finally! A book that not only talks about and lists, but SHOWS(!), many of the pyramids of Egypt. Bravo and keep up the good work, Mark!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I concur with the review below. I wish that I had this book with me when I went to Giza and Memphis. The pictures and text are beyond praise. Just an excellent resource for anyone interested in the pyramids.

Rating:
Summary: very comprehensive
Review: I have read many books on the pyramids, many of the alien/atlantis ilk and these were always high on theory and very low on facts. This book however was exceptional because it present facts, diagrams, site plans, cross sections and measurements and entire histories and photographs, of just about every pyramid in Egypt, which comes to about 70. There are no fanciful theories, just plain facts and information and plenty of it. It also gives a very useful section on the history of the discovery and excavations of the pyramid sites and like many of the previous reviewers, I too regret not having known about this book before I went to Egypt, as it would have been invaluable, and I think I would have visited several other sites, as a result.

I give this 5 stars, because although some extra information could have been provided, the amount of data that has been included far surpasses anything else available, and I feel that this should be reflected in the rating.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Pyramids By Mark Lehner
Review: I have read several books on pyramids and have found none that gives the reader the text with very accurate pictures and drawnings as "The Complete Pyramids". This book is a must for those who need a good, general reference. It will be the center piece of the archaeological section in my office.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Pyramids By Mark Lehner
Review: I have read several books on pyramids and have found none that gives the reader the text with very accurate pictures and drawnings as "The Complete Pyramids". This book is a must for those who need a good, general reference. It will be the center piece of the archaeological section in my office.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries
Review: I knew this book through the many references found in other books. Then, I read about Mark Lehner on Dr. Hawass's articles that refers to him as a accurate egyptologist. I waited for long time an translated edition in my language, italian, but not knowing when it will be published, I decided to read in original language. During my stay on USA, I found the book in a big bookstore, so I saw it inside. It's that I hoped: a very complete report on pyramids, not only the most famous, with update information and a impressive number of photos, computer drawings, schematics and other. So I decided to buy, choosing Amazon as my supplier (thanks to the bookstore for the visit). Thanks to my friend Guido that encouraged this acquiring. Ciao.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries
Review: I knew this book through the many references found in other books. Then, I read about Mark Lehner on Dr. Hawass's articles that refers to him as a accurate egyptologist. I waited for long time an translated edition in my language, italian, but not knowing when it will be published, I decided to read in original language. During my stay on USA, I found the book in a big bookstore, so I saw it inside. It's that I hoped: a very complete report on pyramids, not only the most famous, with update information and a impressive number of photos, computer drawings, schematics and other. So I decided to buy, choosing Amazon as my supplier (thanks to the bookstore for the visit). Thanks to my friend Guido that encouraged this acquiring. Ciao.