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Egypt: The Book of Chaos by Nick Drake – Book Review

Posted on August 7, 2011
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Egypt, 1320 BC

The future of Egypt lies in the hands of chief detective Rahotep when he undertakes a clandestine mission across enemy empires and rogue states to deliver a top-secret letter, written by the Queen to her arch-enemy, the King of the Hittites.

It is a mission from which Rahotep may not return. But he also has a wildly personal motive; to seek out a depraved murderer at the heart of a mysterious and brutal new opium cartel that has emerged within the criminal underworld of Thebes.

His quest brings Rahotep face to face with his own dark demons, which he must conquer if he is to return home in time to save Egypt’s greatest dynasty and his own family from the terror that threatens them all . . .

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to travel in time and armed with a travelling machine courtesy of HG Wells maybe the days of yesteryear wouldn’t appear so far away. If I had such a machine I’ve no doubt that my first choice would have been to travel back to Ancient Egypt – land of the Kings and Queens, the pyramids, the gold and the epic battles for supremacy.

Unfortunately, no such machine exists – that we know of – and we are left with literary accounts, both fictional and historical, to whet our appetite, ensuring our desire for knowledge and discovery is fulfilled. When Nick Drake’s Egypt : The Book of Chaos arrived I couldn’t help but be taken in by the atmospheric book jacket depicting Rahotep – a man who held Egypt’s future in his hands – and the magnificent splendour of hieroglyphics adoring ancient pillars in the background. Even if I didn’t have an interest in Egyptology, the cover art alone would have enticed …

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Herring on the Nile by L.C.Tyler – Book Review

Posted on June 27, 2011
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In an effort to rejuvenate his flagging career, crime novelist Ethelred Tressider decides to set his new book in Egypt and embarks on a ‘research trip’ with his literary agent, Elsie Thirkettle, in tow. No sooner has their cruise on the Nile begun, however, than an attempt is made on Ethelred’s life.

When the boat’s engine explodes and a passenger is found bloodily murdered, suspicion falls on everyone aboard – including a third-rate private eye, two individuals who may or may not be undercover police, and Ethelred himself. As the boat drifts out of control, though, it seems that events are being controlled by a party far more radical than anyone could have guessed.

Herring on the Nile is an ingenious mystery, and a darkly funny tribute to Agatha Christie and the golden age of crime fiction.

I’ve been looking forward to reading LC Tyler’s Herring on the Nile for some time now and although I’ve had it on the “to be read” shelf for a couple of months or so I decided yesterday was the day – a very hot summer’s day, armed with a glass of chilled white wine (Pouilly-Fumé for those interested in that sort of thing) and a comfortable chair – evoking memories, page by page, of a dusty Egyptian landscape with no possible escape from the harsh sun. It’s the closest I’ll get to Egypt at the moment as I sit precariously perched on a Welsh hillside!

With the obvious comparison to the late great Agatha Christie aside – this is after all an updated version of the classic Death on the Nile”, Tyler has written an incredibly light and entertaining book that not only has that old fashioned feel about it but ingeniously brought bang up to date with the …

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The Legion (Eagle 10) by Simon Scarrow Book Review

Posted on November 11, 2010
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Prefect Quintus Licinius Cato and Centurion Lucius Cornelius Macro return to do battle and right wrongs in Simon Scarrow’s “The Legion” – his 10th title in the Romanic Eagle series. An epic tale of revenge, betrayal and death, “The Legion” takes you on a journey along the great Nile River as the Roman Empire faces a new foe and enemies from within.

Available from The Book Depository & Amazon

Ajax, the leader of the slave rebellion, is seeking revenge for his father’s gruesome death at the hands of Cato and Macro. Strung up and horrifically nailed, he was left to die and Ajax has vowed retribution. He escapes captivity and together with a small band of loyal gladiators travels to Egypt killing all who stands in his way.

No one is immune to his brutality, young or old, man or woman. Along with his cohorts they travel throughout Egypt in a Roman battleship attacking villages, small naval bases and whoever dares challenge their authority. Disguised as Romans, the rebellion fight in the name of Cato and Macro, often leaving solitary witnesses with the main aim to create unrest and consternation between Egypt and Rome.

After years of fighting as a pirate and Gladiator, Ajax commands the respect and loyalty of his fellow rebels. He is a wily character; an unquestionable leader of men.

Cato and Macro have grown up together, lifelong friends; they have always been on equal footing – until now. Although inexperienced, Cato has been promoted to Prefect and is now superior to Macro. The book charts their relationship and gives a deeper understanding of their friendship and how the pair reacts to the new command structure as the pair tirelessly pursues Ajax.

Egypt’s turbulence is matched only by the inept leadership Cato and Macro have to endure.…

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The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt – Book Review

Posted on September 29, 2010
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Howard Carter in 1922, along with three companions including the Earl of Carnarvon, walked down the newly discovered steps in the bedrock of the Valley of Kings. The 26th November will long be remembered for one thing only, the day Carter brought Egyptology to the masses by discovering King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Although discovered weeks earlier, Carter had to wait for Carnarvon’s arrival before he would step inside the tomb for the first time. Days later Carter went in search of the burial chamber and after digging a small hole crawled through the various chambers to discover the stone sarcophagus.

We owe a lot to Howard Carter determination and Carnarvon’s money – we know money was running out and had it not been discovered on the final dig, who knows if Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus would have been found – ever. The discovery led to a fascination with Egyptology that is unparalleled in modern history.

Toby Wilkinson’s “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt”, along with its wonderful narrative and beautiful imagery is a stunning look at life from the dawn of civilisation to the death of Cleopatra in 30 BC aged just 39 years old.

Although a massive book, which in itself can be rather daunting, Wilkinson’s narrative is refreshing. He makes Egyptology approachable as we welcome a relaxed style that educates and entertains throughout.

Wilkinson’s passion for Egypt is evident from the outset, his enthusiasm and knowledge for hieroglyphics is contagious, his narrative coming to life as he shares the historic complexity of centuries old.

The River Nile is one of the most widely known rivers in the world and the banks hold centuries of secrets, betrayal, and discovery, the pyramids, religion, violence and beauty.

I can’t begin to tell you when I was first introduced to …

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Van Gogh painting stolen in Cairo – not recovered

Posted on August 22, 2010
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Watching Sky News last night, I was stunned to see the “Breaking News” ticker streaming across my screen in High Definition – “Van Gogh painting stolen, 2 arrested at airport”.

I haven’t long finished reviewing Daniel Silva’s “The Rembrandt Affair” where the main storyline surrounds art theft around the world, the story for obvious reasons held me captive as I searched for more information.

Initial reports from Farouk Hosni (Egypt’s culture minister) suggested the canvas along with two Italian suspects had been recovered at Cairo international but these claims now appear to be wrong. The canvas however is still missing.

The painting worth $50m (£32m) – known as both Poppy Flowers and Vase And Flowers – was “cut from its frame” at the Mahmoud Khalil Museum on Saturday, Mr Hosni said

The state news agency Mena reported that visitors to the exhibition had been investigated, and the Italian couple had aroused suspicion after they were seen visiting a toilet and then rapidly leaving the premises.

Italy’s Ansa news agency said the two Italians were young and had been part of a tour group visiting the gallery.

It is not clear whether the pair are still under arrest.

Interestingly the same painting was previously taken from the same museum in 1978, but recovered a decade later in Kuwait.

The work, measuring 30cm by 30cm(1ft by 1ft), and depicting yellow and red flowers, is believed to have been painted by Vincent Van Gogh in 1887, three years before his death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Poppy Flowers is significant because it represents a turning point in van Gogh’s painting style, said Conor Jordan of Christie’s auction house in New York.

“It shows him assimilating the influences of the French avant-garde after having arrived in 1886 (from Amsterdam), absorbing as …

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Wilbur Smith’s “River God” – Review

Posted on August 4, 2010
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First published in 1993 by MacMillan, The River God by Wilbur Smith is one of those books you have to pick up at least once in your lifetime. Add it to your bucket list, you will not be disappointed.

The first of four books in the Egyptian genre, The River God introduces us to Taita, a eunuch slave devoted to Lostris. The book is set in troubled Ancient Egyptian times approximately 2000 BC.

Endearing, charming and thoroughly magical the book draws you in from the outset and, written in “first person” through the eyes of Taita, you gain a certain affinity with the eunuch slave – so much so you’ll find it hard to put the book down.
We are introduced to troubled times, Egypt is at war. No stranger to civil wars the North and South are divided. The North ruled by usurpers and the South in complete poverty.

Taita was an incredibly talented and handsome man; a poet, a painter, grand architect, doctor and politician to name but a few. In fact it’s probably quicker and easier to list what he couldn’t do! He is incredibly devoted to his mistress Lostris; you could argue that it bordered on the unhealthy. The adoration was largely made possibly because he was a Eunuch – had it not been for this “trivial” point, the relationship would not have been possible.

Egypt has had it her own way for far too long. The Egyptians were unprepared for an invasion, an outside enemy and after years of civil war they were caught unaware. The Hyksos invasion changed all that. Egypt’s weaknesses were exposed by a military might that was so far ahead in technical terms it made for an uneven match.

Along with the horses and chariots, the Hyksos had the skilled drivers …

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