The Keys of Egypt: The Race to Read the Hieroglyphs

I found this book at our library's book sale and ran, giddy, over to the cashier and demanded they take my money right away. I love history, I love Ancient Egypt and I was certain I was going to love this book. Little did I know I was going to more than love it, though I don't at all know how to best describe my extreme joy in turning each page. Typically books about history read like history books, text books, or maybe have a little drama in them, but this book read almost like a mystery waiting to be solved, which is exactly what hieroglyphs were at the time, making the all around perfection of this writing even more of a surprise considering the subject. Do not expect a dry rambling when you pick up this book, expect adventure! Also, show more make sure you pack a pencil and paper along as you journey through time because this book made me realize there were many other things I wanted to read about Egyptian Hieroglyphs, the Ancient Egyptian language and writing style, and the history of rediscovering the language itself. As a result of loving this book, I have added many more to my shelves. It isn't every day that you say you will read a nonfiction work again, but I most certainly will reread this one! show less

Read this one in a week while on vacation. This is a great, informative book, and my only complaint about it is that it showed me how much more I need to learn about the time period and the subject -- which, come to think of it, isn't really a bad thing.

Great study of the race to decipher hieroglyphs. I learned a lot about French history.

Reads like a detective novel, as we move briskly along a fascinating journey.

Pleasant, readable history about history.

Egyptian language > Writing, Hieroglyphic