Mummy Dearest: How Two Men in a Potato Chip Truck Changed the Way the Living See the Dead

by Ron Beckett, Ron Becket, Jerry Conlogue

Ron Beckett and Jerry Conlogue, the unlikely hosts of the National Geographic Channel's popular The Mummy Road Show, recount their adventures both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as they travel the world in a converted Charles Chips delivery van. Beckett and Conlogue pioneered the combined use of radiography and endoscopy to unlock the mysteries of the world’s most baffling mummies--and in the process breathed new life into an old science.

Their work has led to startling discoveries and unique insights on how people throughout human history have lived and died, and how cultures related to living and dying. Abundantly illustrated and refreshingly informal and candid, Mummy Dearest includes features such as “Smile and Say Yeesh,” which provides a new perspective on dental hygiene, “Diamonds are a Ghoul’s Best Friend,” an inventory of cool stuff looters left behind, and “Don’t Try This at Home,” a mummification how-to. Mummy Dearest moves easily from serious science to lighthearted fun and back, and ultimately serves as an entertaining travelogue of a surprising journey of discovery.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Susan Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before there was Adam and Jamie, Quinnipiac University professors Ron Beckett and Jerry Conlogue were the classic cable TV science team. Traveling the country in their potato chip truck studying mummies for National Geographic's Mummy Road Show, radiologist Conlogue and endoscope expert Beckett brought a combination of wackiness and science to TV that I don't think has been repeated since. Those of us who miss the show will enjoy this book, as Ron and Jerry tell us about their lives and their adventures, and behind the scenes stories from the series. About the only thing missing is an episode guide, which would have been nice to have.