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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. My first impression as I read this book was that I was in for a good read. The feeling of mystery and the location being Paris was exotic and well done. But the author did not hold my attention as the book went on...in fact I could not finish it. The battle scenes were marginally described (I like such descriptions...read Bernard Cornwell's works and you will understand) and the description of the countryside and surroundings suffered too. Eventually I tired of the constant reference to scientists of the past; then the mystery and premise of the story started to drag and I lost interest in the storyline. (  ) Lynxear | Aug 8, 2009 |  After winning mysterious medallion in a game of cards, Ethan Gage finds himself in big troubles. Although he is facing grave dangers he pushes on to find out what secrets medallion holds. This is a pure adventure novel (in pure Indiana Jones way :)). Lots of pretty women, dark villains and strange allies – all packed up in a historical context of Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt. If you are interested in reading a fast paced and funny book and spend few hours in such activity :) then I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Alas if you are looking for a book that is serious – and if you consider Indiana Jones and likes to be childish – then skip this one. Recommended. (  ) Zare | May 11, 2009 | William Dietrich's Napoleon's Pyramids (Harper, 2007) makes for a perfectly suitable diversion on a late winter snow day. In fact, I read the whole thing over the course of an afternoon. A good old-fashioned adventure tale, complete with a hapless (and slightly thickheaded) hero, a sinister serpent-themed lurker, a mysterious female, and some sort of mysterious object that seems to wreak havoc wherever it goes. Throw in Napoleon's invasion of Egypt and his merry band of savants, and you've got yourself a good story. Our protagonist, naturally, feels compelled to solve the mystery of the strange medallion that brings him and those around him nothing but trouble (and snakes), and various Indiana Jones-like capers ensue. Enjoyable. http://philobiblos.blogspot.com/2009/... (  ) jbd1 | Mar 2, 2009 | This book definately had an Indiana Jones quality to it. It was fast paced and exciting but it lacked any real depth.I didn't find it overly interesting but it was fun. ( )1  Iudita | Feb 19, 2009 | William Dietrich delivers a good historical adventure story that feels like it falls short of its potential. Dietrich introduces Ethan Gage, an American and former aide to Ben Franklin. As the book opens Gage is back in Paris just before Bonaparte hatches his plan to invade Egypt. Gage wins an odd-looking medallion in a game of chance. No sooner does Gage have the artifact in his possession than the world collapses on his head – repeatedly. He flees to Marseilles with the aid of Sir Sydney Smith and a band of gypsies. From there he joins the troop of savants whom Napoleon takes with him to Egypt. Gage seeks the meaning behind the medallion. In the company of the real-life men of science, like Jomard, Conté, and Monge, he learns about Free Masonry, Fibonacci Sequence, and Pascal’s triangles. But Dietrich only whets the reader’s appetite on these topics, any one of which could form the basis for a fine piece of historical fiction. Instead, Dietrich follows the lure of Egyptology and the quest for eternal life. Gage retains enough skepticism about the more far-fetched claims for the powers of the god Thoth, to keep the story from slipping entirely away into silliness. Dietrich excels when describing the initial invasion of Egypt, the disastrous (for Napoleon) Battle at Abukir Bay, and the ill-advised march across the desert and up the Nile. The scenes with Bonaparte are especially interesting. Dietrich’s attention to historical detail is impressive in numerous settings. The thrilling climax is reminiscent of nothing so much as Indiana Jones . It’s fun, heart-pounding, and improbable, but reminded me of how the book fell short of its promise. ( ) dougwood57 | Feb 14, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
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| Book description |
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What mystical secrets lie beneath the Great Pyramids? Traveling with Napoleon's ambitious expedition, American adventurer Ethan Gage solves a five-thousand-year-old riddle with the help of a mysterious medallion.
William Dietrich's books have been hailed for their vivid imagery, evocative atmospheres, impeccable historical accuracy, and ambitious plots. Now, in the breakout novel of his career, he delivers an enthralling story of intrigue, greed, and danger.
Ethan Gage, assistant to Ben Franklin and expatriate American in post-revolutionary France, wins an ancient—and possibly cursed—medallion in a card game one night. It turns out that the medallion, covered in seemingly indecipherable symbols, may be linked to a Masonic mystery. That same night, however, Ethan is framed for a prostitute's murder and barely escapes France with his life.
Faced with either prison or death, Gage is offered a third choice: to accompany the new emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, as France sails to conquer Egypt—with Lord Nelson's fleet following close behind. Once Gage arrives, he encounters incredible surprises: one in the form of a beautiful Macedonian slave and another in the dawning knowledge that the medallion may solve one of the greatest riddles of history—who built the Great Pyramids, and why. What is revealed to Gage is more shocking than anyone could ever have imagined.
Moving from the lascivious salons of post-revolutionary Paris to the Mediterranean's high seas to the treacherous sands of Egypt, Napoleon's Pyramids is a riveting, action-packed thriller that will captivate readers and introduce them to this supremely talented author.
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:16 -0400)
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