Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet

Book Description

Much has been written about this compelling, controversial pharaoh whose appearance—elongated and effete—is totally at odds with that of the traditional Egyptian ruler. Scholars have speculated that he was perhaps a eunuch or a sufferer from a genetic disorder or even a woman. Known today as a heretic, Akhenaten sought to impose upon Egypt and its people the worship of a single god, radically affecting the country in every way, from art to the written language.

In this immensely readable reevaluation, Nicholas Reeves presents an entirely new perspective on the turbulent events of Akhenaten's seventeen-year reign. Reeves argues that Akhenaten cynically used religion for purely political ends in a calculated attempt to reassert the authority of the king, thus concentrating power in his own hands. Ultimately his revolution failed as political, financial, and moral corruption overwhelmed the regime. His traditionalist successors showed little mercy, and with a ruthless determination systematically expunged all traces of Akhenaten's existence. 141 illustrations, 23 in color.

Customer Reviews:

Mostly balanced but sometimes extreme.......2007-10-17

Akhenaten has to be one of the most fascinating characters in Egyptian history and the deliberate destruction of much the documentation of his historical legacy by subsequent Pharaohs often leaves the Amarna period open to the wildest of speculations. Nicholas Reeves presents a wealth of information in this book, often including many quotes from original sources and photos of original art work so that the readers can judge some of his conclusions for themselves.

The book is carefully researched and the general argument that Akhenaten used his religious beliefs to legitimate his power is well supported by the evidence quoted. This does not of course preclude the notion that Akhenaten was sincere in his beliefs and Reeves does not suggest this. In fact it seems far from illogical that a ruler of ancient Egypt could have believed he was the son of god.

Many of the conundrums of Amarna history are argued in a very balanced way in the book. Reeves effectively debunks the theories that Akhenaten was homosexual or that his appearance in statuary was due to Froehlich's syndrome. He provides interesting evidence in relation to suggestions that Akhenaten may or may not have suffered from Marfan's syndrome and that Nerfertiti may or may not have been promoted to the status of co-regent. At times, however, Reeves takes fairly extreme positions based on somewhat flimsy evidence. He claims that Akhenaten's 'dictatorial rule' led Egypt to the 'brink of disaster', that Akhenaten's rule involved 'wanton destruction' and 'deliberate neglect'. He describes the later years of Amarna as a 'terror' and suggests that Pharaoh's lover Kiya had an evil personality and may have been pulling strings behind the scene. These extreme positions are supported with arguments based on evidence where the author and purpose of the documents quoted is often ignored. One document marshalled in favor of the sorry state Egypt had descended into was written by a priest of Amun, who would obviously have had a significantly biased agenda.

Overall though, the book is extremely readable and paints a fascinating picture of power politics in Egypt, where priests, generals and the Pharoah himself vie for power and influence in a manner so typical of politics throughout the history of mankind that it certainly rings true.

An interesting look at one chapter in Egypt's long history.......2007-09-23

The subject of Reeves' book is Akhenaten; a Pharoah who attempted to remake Egyptian society from country where a host of gods and idols were worshipped to a monothiestic society which recognized only one god: the Aten, or sun disc.

Reeves looks further back than most other authors for the origins of the Aten cult, seeing not just the trend of a priesthood that was becoming more and more politically powerful but also in other events during the 17th and 18th Dynasties which might have effected Akenaten's thinking. Reeves also discusses archeological proof as he tells the story (as it is known) and writes about different theories to explain this or that. Reeves does NOT fall into the trap of discussing the Aten cult as predecessor or influence on Judaism, which has become fashionable as of late. Overall, a good book.

Excellent history, reads like a novel.......2007-03-24

If you are fascinated with ancient Egypt, do not miss this non-fiction book about Pharaoh Akhenaten,which reads like a well-written novel. The mysterious Pharaoh Akhenaten, who tried to introduce one god, Aten, and overthrow the all the other gods, and became known as the "great heretic" is one of the most interesting and debated historical figures of all time. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs. It also has an early section that summarizes the history of the period up to that point, and it continues on to the reign of his son Tutankhamun. Worth the photographs alone, but well written, not dry.

More of the same.........2006-03-27

If you've read one Akhenaten title you've basically read them all. As with the countless versions which have preceeded Mr. Reeves treatment of the socalled False Prophet, the author reproduces and supports many of the curious claims surrounding the Amarna periods infamous ruler. One area the author appears to make headway is in identifying Amenophis III with the Aten. In detailing Amenophis III and his adoption of the Aten personna as his "deified physical manifestation", Mr. Reeves appears to defend Akhenaten from the status of "False prophet", but he quickly backpeddles and returns to the normal persecution completely ignoring his own statements.

So was Akhenaten a mad religious zealot or merely a devoted son expressing loyalty and love for his departed father? Was Akhetaten a new capitol city or simply the grandest form of tribute to the man whom truly gave him life? If Akhetaten was indeed the capitol city as is claimed then it appears that the new Pharoah was more of a visionary than many of his predecessors as the location of this new city was a centralized location. Halfway between the old capitols of southern and northern Egypt "as Mr. Reeves points out". This would serve to unify the country and make the Pharoah and his court more accessible to the population and not isolate them as is claimed in this book. Another curious and unverified claim adopted by the author from previous sources is the decline of the Egyptian empire under Akhenaten. As I have said this is an often repeated claim which is never verified. None of the authors who preach of the Egyptian empires decline under Akhenaten ever present verifiable facts to support their claim and Mr. Reeves is no differnt.

Most desturbing is the introduction of often repeated claims of incest on behalf of Akhenaten, again I would ask where except in the mind of the author is the proof of this? What Mr. Reeves does is introduce some very interesting ideals only to shrink back into long excepted ideals and accusations. I can only speculate as to the reason for Egyptology's deep animosity toward Akhenaten as he is befar the most reviled figure in Egypt's history. The hatred expressed for the man and his ideals by those who study him from a distance seperated by thousands of years is almost always skewed in the most vile manner. The use of bricks and usurption of temples constructed by Akhenaten by later rulers is helf up as proof of the hatred the man engendered with his ideals. Yet it is completely ignored that Ramesses "the offending Pharoah" did the same to his own father's constructions. So was Akhenaten anymore hated than any of his predecessors by his own or he simply viewed as a threat by outsiders struggling to make sense of a history long ago written?

These Reviews Vary Alot!!!.......2006-02-08

What I read in Reeves book is a good study and background on ANKH-ATEN (Akhenaten) thru the eyes of a schlor and on hands reseacher. In knowing that every schlor or reseacher who studies anything for that matter, especially history & religions, cannot never become apart of what their studying. Outside looking in!! So I do take his book with a grain of salt. One has to realize the the worship and diety of ATEN didn't start with ANKH-ATEN. It started long before there was a Upper and Lower Egypt (so-called). Also one must realize that his mother was a powerful figure behind his throne and his father throne. In which they did share together as many Kings of Kemet have. The polictical theories of this so-called new of ATEN. Is what can be debated until the end of time. The only reason why ANKH-ATEN closed the other temples because of his father poor health and the priest of AMUN wanted his brother to rule who was of the AMUN-RA temple. They called ANKH-ATEN not worthy to be King because of his linage, Queen Tiye been the daughter of the great Yuya (known as Joseph in the bible) So ANKH-ATEN was indeed from Upper Kemet and trying to fit in with the traditions of the priest of Lower Kemet and the people as well. This books does give new light on the place called Amarna. Also a point missed was that ANKH-ATEN never was agaist ANY other temple in Kemet!!! He was against those priest who didn't want him to succeed as King under the powerful hand of Queen Tye, his mother, who was a follwer of ATEN. She is the really reason he had so many problems with his reign. But she wanted to end her husband reign and get the people started on anew glory. Remember ATEN worship is fron the temple of RA, in which was common in Upper Egypt(Kemet), the Nubia, Sudan, Uganda, & Ethipia region today. These are where the darker skin Kemetians were and hailed from. The Lower Egypt, Egypt,Libia, & the middle east. They were lighter skinned Kemetians, all African! Just as we are now! So this Nefertiti was white theory is completly rubbish! If you want to see whites or europeans trying to look like Egyptians/Kemetians in art go to the Metro Muesuem of Art in NYC. One side is true Kemetic art, and on another side there is greco-roman-egyptian art. Totally seen as TWO different things by two different people in two different regions. The reviewers has this concept of ATENism so-called, confused. Makes me wonder how many of you practice it? BTW I do! Also King TWT-ANKH-ATEN was the birth name of King TUT when his father ANKH-ATEN left Amarna for Upper Kemet the priest of AMUN-RA had him changed his name to TWT-ANKH-AMUN. In which he did to be crowd king. I had this book for a long time and use it as a direct reference to geographical place of Amarna. And to read the writing from the great pictures Reeves has. It's a reference book to me as it should be to us all. A well needed one too!!

Average customer rating:

Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet
C. N. Reeves; Nicholas Reeves
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MC38H8

Book Description

On May 1, 1951, a legend was born. Newly acquired Orestes Minoso, the first black to play Major League Baseball in the City of Chicago, stepped into the batter's box for his first turn at bat in a Chicago White Sox uniform. Minnie tells of his boyhood days in the sugar fields of Cuba, racial discrimination in Cuban society, and feelings of betrayal upon being traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1951.

Customer Reviews:

Good Hot Stove League Stuff-American League........2005-04-17

The title certainly tells it. "Just Call Me Minnie" is the biography of Orestes "Minnie" Minoso. He was a major league outfielder, mostly in the American League, from 1949-1964 and one of the most exciting players of his generation. This reviewer is old enough to remember that when Minnie came to bat, fans sat up in their seats. He made things happen! JCMM is an enjoyable story. It follows Minnie's baseball life from his early years in Cuba through his Major League years, to the ups and downs of his later years. The golden years are those with the exciting "Go-Go" White Sox from 1949- 1957. It helps that the story's time frame encompasses what is arguably the big leagues golden years. Those would be 1946-1960. WW2 was over, pro football was still relatively undiscovered and expansion had yet to dilute the talent base. JCMM is the American League counterpart to Robin Robert's recent-and recommended- "My Life in Baseball". The core of JCMM is solid Hot Stove League. Minnie is a fine storyteller. The tone is positive. He does not attempt to settle old scores or tell tales out of the locker room. There are obvious hard feelings toward a former manager, Al Lopez, but the reader is left to imagine the complete story behind them. There are a few nice, if self-serving, tributes from the likes of Ray Boone, Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, Jim Landis, Ferris Fain, Cal McLish and Jim Landis. Those baseball fans in the amazon community who can remember those guys will enjoy JCMM. There are some weak points: Minnie's later years are less than compelling and a bit too many pages are devoted to Minoso family travails. Left mostly unexplained are Minnie's various comebacks. For the record, he is the oldest player to appear in a major league game. Finally, and to the distress of this reviewer, there is no statistical composite of the Minoso career. Since baseball is so numbers-obsessed, this omission is strange indeed. Despite these objections, JCMM is a safe choice for hardcore fans of baseball's "golden era". Both White Sox fans and Chicagoland natives should take a close look at this offering.

A GREAT story about one of baseballs real heros!.......2000-05-22

What a great book thats interesting and easy to read. You get to look behind the scenes and see the real life of a professional athlete. True life experiences that Minnie remembers vividly from over six decades of experience. From his childhood days in Havana to his present day life with his family in Chicago, this is a wonderful story that can put a lump in your throat one line then have you laughing the next. A book worth adding to your collection!

Memories of My Past.......2000-05-12

I grew up on the south side of Chicago and remember when I sat in left field thinking how it would be to meet Minnie. My dream came true after reading this book, I felt I knew him all my life. The respect he gave the fans and the respect we gave him is rare in baseball today, this was the thrilling days of "Go Go" when we as fans had a real life hero, and that hero is Minnie Minoso in the past and forever in the future we will never forget him. This book is the type of book that takes you back to the past and the memories of great players. It's the type of book you can read time after time after time.

Thank You Minnie

A must read for any "real" baseball fan!.......1998-10-09

"Just Call Me Minnie" ranks as one the best baseball autobiographies I've read. It's very rare that an individual with such vivid recollections and interesting stories ever gets around to writing them down. Minnie Minoso succeeds in delivering this unique perspective of baseball, from pre-Castro life in Cuba all the way up to his goal to play Major League Baseball at age 70. Minoso gives the reader a glimpse of the sport that is entertaining, exciting, and eclectic. Although only 205 pages, this is not a book to be read in one sitting. Instead, it's easier to read it in "doses", letting the stories fully sink in. The patter is similar to those of Buck O'Neill's and Satchell Paige's, except that Minoso seemingly has never retired! Minoso's first-hand accounts of the Negro Leagues (from a non african-american), Major League Baseball, (remember the "Go-Go" Chicago WhiteSox?) are priceless, especially in the present tense. If you can get past Minoso's constant lobbying for a shot to play MLB in his 70's (the only thing missing is a postcard to send to the commissioner), this is a must read for any "real" baseball fan. Who knows, if he ever gets his chance, you can say you read it in this book first!

Just Call Me Minnie : My Six Decades in Baseball

Average customer rating:

Just Call Me Minnie : My Six Decades in Baseball
Minnie Minoso
Manufacturer: Sports Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLVZH2

Book Description

This detailed reference provides a complete record of Academy Award winners and nominees through 1991. All nominees in all categories are listed, and the volume includes recipients of special awards as well. Each award category begins with a short headnote that traces the development of the award and discusses significant facts about it. The award categories are divided into sections for each year. Within the listing for a particular year are the nominees for the award, related credits, and the winner of the award. Shale begins with a short historical overview of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Part I lists Academy Award winners and nominees by award categories, with sections devoted to annual awards, other awards, and discontinued categories. Part II is a chronological index of Academy Awards. Thus full information for an award can be located through either the type of award or the year. Shale concludes with appendices of academy founders, presidents, and directors of best pictures; a selected, annotated bibliography; and an index. The result is the most comprehensive record of the Academy Awards available.

ACADEMY AWARDS: An Ungar reference index : Including the 50th anniversary nominees and winners

Average customer rating:

ACADEMY AWARDS: An Ungar reference index : Including the 50th anniversary nominees and winners

Manufacturer: Frederick Ungar Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ICPQ72

Academy Awards: An Ungar Reference Index (Ungar Film Library)

Average customer rating:

A very Good Reference

Academy Awards: An Ungar Reference Index (Ungar Film Library)
Richard Shale
Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0804428131

Customer Reviews:

A very Good Reference.......2005-04-11

I suppose I should have rated this book higher because I have consulted it often over the years. I like to try and watch the best movies available and the Academy Awards offers a reasonably good starting point. Although the author does toss in some good research, this is basicly a list of all Academy Award nominees (with the winners highlighted). By listing the nominees, the author gives us a chance to see those movies that were good enough to have been nominated in each year. We all have seen years where our choices for best this or best that went down to what we considered a lesser movie. Why miss out on "Double Indemnity" just because "Going My Way" won Best Picture for 1944

The nominees are grouped by categories and then, in a second section, by each year (with all nominees and winners cited by category). I confess that the listing by category struck me as almost unnecessary. However, I guess the Best Foreign Language Film Awards and nominees deserves their own seperate listings. After all, that's often the only place a lot of excellent movies show up and the category gets a bit lost in the year by year listings. Richard Shale, who compiled this reference apparently chose not to give seperate category listings to now defunct categories such as Title Writing (for the silent movie's written dialogue), Assistant Director (what outsider would know anything about those nominees?), Cartoons, etc..

This book came out when the Oscars were celebrating their 50th Anniversary. They now have just celebrated their 75th. It may seem that this makes this book completely obsolete. However, the value of this book has never waned for me. I have seen enough ads and promos for most every film of the last 25 years. It is the older movies that I need a resource like "Acaemy Awards" for. For this reason I haven't felt the need to update this book with newer Academy Awards references. I may get around to getting a 75th Anniversary edition. However, it won't do anymore to help me discover such gems as "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" (1928) co-winner of Academy Award for Best Title Writing.

The Academy Awards Index: The Complete Categorical and Chronological Record

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The Academy Awards Index: The Complete Categorical and Chronological Record
Richard Shale
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTPEJY

Average customer rating:

I agree! TOO many errors!!!

Too many errors!

The Millennium Book of Cryptograms
Rene Cartry
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Logic & Brain Teasers | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Puzzles | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
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Cryptograms: Sink Back And Solve Away! (Armchair Puzzlers)

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Think Tank Cryptograms: High-Octane Puzzlers to Fuel Your Brain! (Think Tank series)

ASIN: 1412003075
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Book Description

This book is a collection of cryptogram puzzles arranged by degree of difficulty. They are quotes by famous and some not-so-famous people from all walks of life and many diverse backgrounds.

Customer Reviews:

I agree! TOO many errors!!!.......2004-10-29

This book is full of errors! As previously stated, lack of editing is atrocious! If you enjoy cryptograms, do not purchase this one. I wrote the company that publishes this book and they responded,
"I have forwarded your email on to the author services rep that deals with this author.
Unfortunately all of our books are sold on a non-returnable basis. We are an on-demand publishing company and all of our titles are printed exactly as the author supplies them to us. The proof reading and editing process is the responsibility of each of our 5000 authors."

Never heard a thing back since then.

Too many errors!.......2004-10-18

I love cryptograms! But I can't abide errors in them. Not only does this author break the rule that letters shouldn't stand for themselves, but there are actually several errors in these crytograms. I assume these are typographical and a sign of bad editing but it's no fun to work out cryptograms when you can't be sure they're correctly coded. On the positive side, the quotes are varied and fun and with some re-editing this would earn some more stars!

Book Description

From the world's foremost authority on chart analysis-- a practical new treatise on mastering powerful trading tools and systems

In the sequel to his best-selling book, The New Science of Technical Analysis, Tom DeMark refines the most popular and precise of his indicators with exacting new attention to real-time trading applications. For the first time, DeMark shares his powerful new indicator, TD Combo, which when combined with the highly popular Sequential Combination is a powerful new tool for understanding market rhythm and calculating price points.

THOMAS DeMARK (Phoenix, Arizona) and his technical indicators have been a major force at some of the largest and most successful trading operations in the world, including his own firm, Devan Capital.

Customer Reviews:

Professional / amateur divide.......2007-08-08

This is the first time I've commented on a book here on Amazon before reading it.

What strikes me is that the reviews can be broken up into two camps:
- trading professionals working in the industry, who have the indicators already programmed on their terminals, and who have the incentive to use them
- trading amateurs, either complaining about the poor structure, layout or grammer used in the book, or who don't have the means or the ability to program the indicators for themselves.

With this in mind I ordered the book, figuring that I would much rather trade on the same side as the professionals. I gave it four stars so as not to unduly influence the book's current rating.

The methodology in this book made me a professional.......2007-06-04

I took the leap to professional trader after I seriously studied Tom DeMark and the methodologies in this book. My analysis, trading and most importantly, my money making, went to another level. There is a reason that SAC, Paul Tudor Jones and others have relied on Tom DeMark over the years. Retail traders are mostly unaware of these indicators but hedge fund professionals on trading desks all over the world know the name DeMark.

Practical, Useful and Worth Keeping Near Your Terminal.......2007-03-08

Mr. DeMark has put together a practical collection of indicators which investors -- of all time frames -- can use to enhance their profitability.

This book also complements his video series where some of the indicators in this book are described.

Like most technical analysis books, the material presented shares its roots with methods described in many earlier works. However, learning Mr. DeMark's implementation of them will add another dimension to your understanding of technical analysis (on macro and micro levels), and will also improve your bottom line.

Completely Dessapointed.......2006-11-02

The first book of DeMark was good but this one is not a book, is like some manual for some software. All indicators are copyrighted, so you have to use one of the charting software indicated and even doing that you don't have access to the code.

You can't write your own for the software are you using or modify some because there is no formulas explained.

Is like to buy a car and you can't see inside the engine, touch them, stripping, etc. You only can drive.

It's shame, a complete waste of time and money.

At the begging he mention Larry Williams. I suppose if Larry
it had kept the Williams %R formula in the secret he would be one of the most popular traders known.

The dumb trader: pays for a profits promise when buying something, and indicator, an expert, a system.
The smart trader says: before pay, show me the profits an then we see.

Best of Best.......2006-07-27

Although this book is hard to read,but it's worthy.
Actually it gives me a lot of inspiration to design my system.
I prefer the major indicator like TD sequential and TD combo.
Also the TD trend factors and STOP rules.
I found Demark was really so smart to find the rules of market tempo.
It's also the basic rules of every life.
I studied this book combined with other master's theory.
The result matched amazingly.
Thanks Demark for his creativity.

New Market Timing Techniques: Innovative Studies in Market Rhythm & Price Exhaustion (Wiley Trading Advantage)

Average customer rating:

New Market Timing Techniques: Innovative Studies in Market Rhythm & Price Exhaustion (Wiley Trading Advantage)
Thomas R. Demark
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N637XS

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