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A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits: The Amazing Journey of Ankh-Hap
As the world recently commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, our fascination with the pharaoh begs for a balanced view. Most Egyptian tombs are not royal; most were never carefully cleared and documented; most have not had their occupants treated with respect or returned to their sepulchers; and most recovered mummies have not escaped the modern trafficking in ancient bodies and body parts. The story of Ankh-Hap, a Ptolemaic-era mummy seized in the nineteenth century from the infamous mummy-pits of Egypt, provides a salutary example of what most mummies have endured.
Like a detective, Frank Holt makes use of a robust combination of scientific tools and archival research to tell the story of Ankh-Hap's life, death, and his mummified remains, which ended up in the back of an American college classroom. A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits takes the reader into a forgotten world of mummy trafficking by an American entrepreneur named Henry Augustus Ward (1834-1906). In Rochester, N.Y., his company's shelves were stocked with mummies, coffins, and even ancient body parts such as mummies' heads ($10 each), legs ($4 each), and arms ($5 each). Customers could piece together their own "Frankenmummy" with authentic wrappings and amulets sold separately.
A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits contextualizes this fascinating information by surveying the history of similar mummies from antiquity to the twentieth century, moving from ancient tomb robbers and medieval apothecaries to modern dime museums, traveling shows, pulp fiction, films, and pop culture. The book offers readers a new glimpse inside a dark chapter of mummy history.
Like a detective, Frank Holt makes use of a robust combination of scientific tools and archival research to tell the story of Ankh-Hap's life, death, and his mummified remains, which ended up in the back of an American college classroom. A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits takes the reader into a forgotten world of mummy trafficking by an American entrepreneur named Henry Augustus Ward (1834-1906). In Rochester, N.Y., his company's shelves were stocked with mummies, coffins, and even ancient body parts such as mummies' heads ($10 each), legs ($4 each), and arms ($5 each). Customers could piece together their own "Frankenmummy" with authentic wrappings and amulets sold separately.
A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits contextualizes this fascinating information by surveying the history of similar mummies from antiquity to the twentieth century, moving from ancient tomb robbers and medieval apothecaries to modern dime museums, traveling shows, pulp fiction, films, and pop culture. The book offers readers a new glimpse inside a dark chapter of mummy history.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published January 11, 2024
23 people want to read
About the author
Frank L. Holt
10 books16 followersFrank Lee Holt is a Central Asian archaeologist and author. He is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston, and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on Alexander the Great, Hellenistic Asia, and numismatics. Holt received his PhD in History from the University of Virginia.
Holt has written five books and almost fifty articles, primarily concerning Alexander the Great and the Hellenization of Afghanistan.
Holt has written five books and almost fifty articles, primarily concerning Alexander the Great and the Hellenization of Afghanistan.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 19, 2024
Narrated by Nigel Patterson
A fascinating look into the mummy trade, and the life of one before and after death.
I really enjoyed the way this was laid out. There's a lot of info, but the way it's organised makes it easy to digest. This book discusses firstly the practice of mummification and its hows and whys, followed by some of the grievances these human remains suffered in later years. There's a lot of information on travelling mummies as attractions and display pieces for the rich, and how parts were often sold for various reasons - including medicinal.
There's an exploration of mummies in pop culture, and how it has impacted the societal view, turning these ancient remains into villainous figures. Further, there's the quest to determine whose remains are whose, and where, and how they got there.
Throughout, there's a focus on Ankh-Hap, a 'regular Joe' type figure, in comparison to the much more famous Tutankhamun.
I found it really easy to listen to, and fascinating. I appreciated the respect the author had, and the care he took to remind the reader that, ultimately, mummies are human remains that deserve to be treated as such.
As much as I enjoyed the audio, I think this book would really come alive with the images and figures mentioned in the audio. I'd love to have seen the accompanying photos, depictions and graphs. It was also a challenge when mummies were referred to by alphanumeric sequences, which I feel would easily be rectified by sight.
That said, I enjoyed the audio for its flawless pronunciation, which helped me really picture these historical figures instead of getting bogged down by the spelling of names.
It was an insightful, respectful exploration of mummies and their place in history as well as modern culture. I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend for anyone interested in the subject matter.
With thanks to Netgalley for an audio ARC
A fascinating look into the mummy trade, and the life of one before and after death.
I really enjoyed the way this was laid out. There's a lot of info, but the way it's organised makes it easy to digest. This book discusses firstly the practice of mummification and its hows and whys, followed by some of the grievances these human remains suffered in later years. There's a lot of information on travelling mummies as attractions and display pieces for the rich, and how parts were often sold for various reasons - including medicinal.
There's an exploration of mummies in pop culture, and how it has impacted the societal view, turning these ancient remains into villainous figures. Further, there's the quest to determine whose remains are whose, and where, and how they got there.
Throughout, there's a focus on Ankh-Hap, a 'regular Joe' type figure, in comparison to the much more famous Tutankhamun.
I found it really easy to listen to, and fascinating. I appreciated the respect the author had, and the care he took to remind the reader that, ultimately, mummies are human remains that deserve to be treated as such.
As much as I enjoyed the audio, I think this book would really come alive with the images and figures mentioned in the audio. I'd love to have seen the accompanying photos, depictions and graphs. It was also a challenge when mummies were referred to by alphanumeric sequences, which I feel would easily be rectified by sight.
That said, I enjoyed the audio for its flawless pronunciation, which helped me really picture these historical figures instead of getting bogged down by the spelling of names.
It was an insightful, respectful exploration of mummies and their place in history as well as modern culture. I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend for anyone interested in the subject matter.
With thanks to Netgalley for an audio ARC
May 16, 2024
A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits: The Amazing Journey of Ankh-Hap by Frank L. Holt
Rating: 3.5 stars
Read: 16 May 2024
Holt uses Ankh-Hap, a Ptolemaic-era mummy seized in the nineteenth century from the infamous mummy-pits of Egypt, as a focus to discuss everything about mummies that the author thinks the general public might find interesting. Holt includes such things as the perception of Egyptian mummies in literature and film; tomb robbing; mummy trafficking; the horrible treatment of the ancient dead for use in pigment, medicine, party exhibits; and in traveling shows etc. Holt also also displays his detective skills by exploring the life and death of Ankh-Hap, and then the extensive journey of his mummified corpse to United States college classroom, and then on to the University of Houston. I felt the organisation was a bit erratic and focused too much on extraneous mummy facts, rather than the discovery and analysis of Ankh-Hap (which I found more interesting and exciting - the poor bugger had a wooden pole shoved through his neck to hold it up and wasps built a nest in his skull, amongst other abuses). Still, an interesting listen.
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated well, but kept referring to diagrams and photographs which are included in the ebook and physical book, but not in the audiobook package. I would really have loved to see those graphics!
Rating: 3.5 stars
Read: 16 May 2024
Holt uses Ankh-Hap, a Ptolemaic-era mummy seized in the nineteenth century from the infamous mummy-pits of Egypt, as a focus to discuss everything about mummies that the author thinks the general public might find interesting. Holt includes such things as the perception of Egyptian mummies in literature and film; tomb robbing; mummy trafficking; the horrible treatment of the ancient dead for use in pigment, medicine, party exhibits; and in traveling shows etc. Holt also also displays his detective skills by exploring the life and death of Ankh-Hap, and then the extensive journey of his mummified corpse to United States college classroom, and then on to the University of Houston. I felt the organisation was a bit erratic and focused too much on extraneous mummy facts, rather than the discovery and analysis of Ankh-Hap (which I found more interesting and exciting - the poor bugger had a wooden pole shoved through his neck to hold it up and wasps built a nest in his skull, amongst other abuses). Still, an interesting listen.
NOTE: I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated well, but kept referring to diagrams and photographs which are included in the ebook and physical book, but not in the audiobook package. I would really have loved to see those graphics!
March 17, 2024
Has there ever been anyone wholly disinterested in Egyptology?? I don’t think so hahaha!
So, I was really excited to have gotten this short audiobook from NetGalley and Tantor Audio! I thought learning the history of Ankh-Hap was pretty interesting. I learned a lot—pointedly that he was on the campus of TAMU for so long?? My grandpa went to school there and so I’ve grown up a lifelong fan and somehow never knew about that?? So that was cool! I also learned a bit more about the ways that mummies exist in their sarcophagi—I didn’t know that sometimes their bodies would be mutilated to fit inside, nor did I know that sometimes body parts would be replaced?? That part was WILD! Of course, no book about mummies would be complete without mention of all the mummy monsters and bad-guys from stories and movies starting in the early 1900s and even up until now!
This is a quick listen (so I’d assume a quick read!) and the narrator mentioned pictures and figures that would have been included in a print copy of the book, so I’m envious of people who had those for reference!! I’d recommend to anyone who is interested in the subject, but I’ll also warn that it is fact-heavy and historical, so it might not be the most appealing to someone looking for a book that has a quick pace and action/mystery like is mentioned in the title. :)
So, I was really excited to have gotten this short audiobook from NetGalley and Tantor Audio! I thought learning the history of Ankh-Hap was pretty interesting. I learned a lot—pointedly that he was on the campus of TAMU for so long?? My grandpa went to school there and so I’ve grown up a lifelong fan and somehow never knew about that?? So that was cool! I also learned a bit more about the ways that mummies exist in their sarcophagi—I didn’t know that sometimes their bodies would be mutilated to fit inside, nor did I know that sometimes body parts would be replaced?? That part was WILD! Of course, no book about mummies would be complete without mention of all the mummy monsters and bad-guys from stories and movies starting in the early 1900s and even up until now!
This is a quick listen (so I’d assume a quick read!) and the narrator mentioned pictures and figures that would have been included in a print copy of the book, so I’m envious of people who had those for reference!! I’d recommend to anyone who is interested in the subject, but I’ll also warn that it is fact-heavy and historical, so it might not be the most appealing to someone looking for a book that has a quick pace and action/mystery like is mentioned in the title. :)
May 2, 2024
I have been always fascinated with Mummy and Egyptology and as soon as I saw the title I was up for it.
This is well researched book and the audiobook was good and yet I couldn't engage myself. Some parts were interesting but some were just too boring to hold my attention. This doesn't happen often that I drift from Audiobook and start thinking about something else entirely. I was a little disappointed yet I learned from the book so I will recommend it to those who are keen on learning more about the subject.
Thank you Netgalley and Tantor audio got the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This is well researched book and the audiobook was good and yet I couldn't engage myself. Some parts were interesting but some were just too boring to hold my attention. This doesn't happen often that I drift from Audiobook and start thinking about something else entirely. I was a little disappointed yet I learned from the book so I will recommend it to those who are keen on learning more about the subject.
Thank you Netgalley and Tantor audio got the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
March 14, 2024
It is hard to ignore a book about Mummy when I have been a fan of anything Egyptology (books, movies, articles, documentaries). So I decided to read this one that talks about the other side of such explorations including trafficking, the black market, human pranks and even fake products.
My favourite topic addressed in the book was regarding the whole Mummy Vibe, how from a very young age we are taught to be scared of them because they may come back to life and eat you alive. I was astonished to know that many children simply compare them to mythical creatures who do not exist. Like with all the level of fascination and entertainment we have created around them, many have forgotten the cultural angle of this practice.
I do wish the book was a bit longer and it also shared further insights on the cultural significance besides the ordinary reasons for mummification. The pacing and structure of the book were another area I wasn't the biggest fan of as it felt like certain topics were talked about on and off throughout the book rather than clubbing them together in a specific chapter. Overall, a scholarly book if you know the back stories of people/museums claiming to own an original mummy.
Thank you @netgalley @tantoraudio for the Audio ARC.
Genre: #nonfiction #history #egypt
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
My favourite topic addressed in the book was regarding the whole Mummy Vibe, how from a very young age we are taught to be scared of them because they may come back to life and eat you alive. I was astonished to know that many children simply compare them to mythical creatures who do not exist. Like with all the level of fascination and entertainment we have created around them, many have forgotten the cultural angle of this practice.
I do wish the book was a bit longer and it also shared further insights on the cultural significance besides the ordinary reasons for mummification. The pacing and structure of the book were another area I wasn't the biggest fan of as it felt like certain topics were talked about on and off throughout the book rather than clubbing them together in a specific chapter. Overall, a scholarly book if you know the back stories of people/museums claiming to own an original mummy.
Thank you @netgalley @tantoraudio for the Audio ARC.
Genre: #nonfiction #history #egypt
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
March 11, 2024
This was super interesting. I think everyone went through an Egyptology phase at some point in their lives, but this took a different spin. Talking about all the different ways that mummies have been viewed, used and abused throughout history was enlightening. There were the obvious things like using them as circus pieces or for med student studies, but grinding them up for beauty products? Selling limbs for luxury? Gross. I really appreciated the way the author highlighted all these things as a way to show how we as a society have grown and changed from this and now (for the most part) respect them.
My only qualm with this is that the audiobook obviously didn't have any pictures. I'd try to find them as they were referenced but I think I'm going to have to go to a print copy once it's published to flick through.
3.5/4ish stars!! Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
My only qualm with this is that the audiobook obviously didn't have any pictures. I'd try to find them as they were referenced but I think I'm going to have to go to a print copy once it's published to flick through.
3.5/4ish stars!! Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
March 7, 2024
As a 90s kid, I grew up loving mummies and wanting to be an Egyptologist. I read all the National Geographic books I could find about the Ancient Egyptians and finding this book made me so nostalgic and excited!
A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits is a very interesting tale of Ankh-Hap at the University of Houston. This segues into the history of mummies outside of their original resting places. I had no idea that mummy trafficking and subsequent putting together of makeshift body parts was a thing! I loved the revisiting of the lore surrounding mummies and artifacts, like curses and how they are vengeful in Hollywood movies.
This book was the perfect blend of educational and fun. I really enjoyed it and it was a quick listen. I finished it in a day! Nigel Patterson did a beautiful job narrating this book. I also appreciated an accent, as an American, when listening to a worldly topic.
Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this very enjoyable audiobook!
A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits is a very interesting tale of Ankh-Hap at the University of Houston. This segues into the history of mummies outside of their original resting places. I had no idea that mummy trafficking and subsequent putting together of makeshift body parts was a thing! I loved the revisiting of the lore surrounding mummies and artifacts, like curses and how they are vengeful in Hollywood movies.
This book was the perfect blend of educational and fun. I really enjoyed it and it was a quick listen. I finished it in a day! Nigel Patterson did a beautiful job narrating this book. I also appreciated an accent, as an American, when listening to a worldly topic.
Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this very enjoyable audiobook!
June 3, 2024
This is an interesting nonfiction work that delves into many different details concerning Egyptian mummies and the West’s long fascination and mistreatment of them. The author includes general details surrounding the mummification process and the West’s growing fascination with mummies during the 18th and 19th centuries. There were also discussions of their representation in pop culture, and the shift from fetishization to terrifying cursed beings.
I really liked how this work was set up, and that it was the author’s story of how he and his team did their best to learn about the mummy in their care in non-invasive ways. This included examining all details possible to learn the person’s name, using CT scans on the human remains and radiocarbon dating on the non-human parts, and other attempts at nondestructive analysis. Then the author goes on to do his best to provide some historical context for the man’s life, broader contexts of the man’s contemporary world, and some hypotheses about possible personal details.
The author did get into some philosophical discussions that were relevant and not too heavy (e.g., who owns the ancient dead, scientific study versus ethics, “curiosity needs a conscience,” etc.). The author’s goal was to not speak for the dead and to not exhume any more bodies, but to tell the stories and give names to the remains of those already displaced.
If you’re interested in ancient Egypt, mummies, and a fascinating approach to history, then this book is absolutely worth checking out. I listened to the audiobook version of this work and the narrator did a fantastic job, but the eBook/physical versions of the book have pictures and figures. My thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really liked how this work was set up, and that it was the author’s story of how he and his team did their best to learn about the mummy in their care in non-invasive ways. This included examining all details possible to learn the person’s name, using CT scans on the human remains and radiocarbon dating on the non-human parts, and other attempts at nondestructive analysis. Then the author goes on to do his best to provide some historical context for the man’s life, broader contexts of the man’s contemporary world, and some hypotheses about possible personal details.
The author did get into some philosophical discussions that were relevant and not too heavy (e.g., who owns the ancient dead, scientific study versus ethics, “curiosity needs a conscience,” etc.). The author’s goal was to not speak for the dead and to not exhume any more bodies, but to tell the stories and give names to the remains of those already displaced.
If you’re interested in ancient Egypt, mummies, and a fascinating approach to history, then this book is absolutely worth checking out. I listened to the audiobook version of this work and the narrator did a fantastic job, but the eBook/physical versions of the book have pictures and figures. My thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 26, 2024
I’ve long been a devotee of Ancient Egyptian art and history, though my specific tastes run mostly toward Egyptomania and what I think of as the “second life” of Ancient Egypt’s art and artifacts in more recent cultural history.
This book is a delightful and well-written dive into one sub-niche of that niche, which is what I would refer to as the “Everyman Mummies”. You know, the guys and gals who don’t get a lot of ink because they weren’t buried in a pyramid or connected to an Egyptian royal.
This book explores the more modern fates of this subset of mummies who (surprise!) were not even accorded the minimal dignity afforded to those with a pharaonic connection.
Many were sold cheaply as macabre tourist souvenirs, many went to universities (where their “care” varied wildly in quality), and some were sold by the individual body part to collectors who wanted to create a Frankenmummy for their personal collection.
I have mixed feelings about remains being removed from burial sites and as an art historian am often less liberal on the topic than I am about most other things based largely on a reverence of knowledge above most else, but the fates of many of these Everyman mummies seems a bridge too far by any standard.
But the cultural fascination with them that caused much of their travels thousands of years after death is absolutely fascinating, and Holt does an exceptionally wonderful job of building a gorgeous and riveting piece of narrative nonfiction around their fates. I don’t have a single criticism of this book except that I wish it was longer. I’m very eager to seek out more of Holt’s work.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is a delightful and well-written dive into one sub-niche of that niche, which is what I would refer to as the “Everyman Mummies”. You know, the guys and gals who don’t get a lot of ink because they weren’t buried in a pyramid or connected to an Egyptian royal.
This book explores the more modern fates of this subset of mummies who (surprise!) were not even accorded the minimal dignity afforded to those with a pharaonic connection.
Many were sold cheaply as macabre tourist souvenirs, many went to universities (where their “care” varied wildly in quality), and some were sold by the individual body part to collectors who wanted to create a Frankenmummy for their personal collection.
I have mixed feelings about remains being removed from burial sites and as an art historian am often less liberal on the topic than I am about most other things based largely on a reverence of knowledge above most else, but the fates of many of these Everyman mummies seems a bridge too far by any standard.
But the cultural fascination with them that caused much of their travels thousands of years after death is absolutely fascinating, and Holt does an exceptionally wonderful job of building a gorgeous and riveting piece of narrative nonfiction around their fates. I don’t have a single criticism of this book except that I wish it was longer. I’m very eager to seek out more of Holt’s work.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
March 12, 2024
Using the techniques of the most famous fictional detectives, the author investigates the life and origin of an anonymous mummy, bringing Ankh-Hap back to life. Along the way, Holt explores the history of egyptology without shying away from the ugly bits; and offers fascinating cultural background, from masterpieces in the Louvre to a movie called The Mummy’s Foot. Nigel Patterson’s narration is clear and agreeable, which works well with the sense of humor in some parts of the book and makes the more gruesome bits tolerable. I enjoyed the historical content but my favorite part was the investigation into the background of the mummy. Holt not only quotes M. Poirot and Mr. Holmes, but he actually follows their advice and methods. A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits will appeal to history readers, mystery lovers and pop culture enthusiasts. For anyone who dreams of visiting the inside of King Tut’s tomb, this audiobook is the next best thing.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Tantor Audio.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Tantor Audio.
September 21, 2025
A case study approach into the history of our studies into Egyptian mummies, the fascination, the obsession, the mishandling, the spectacle, the dehumanisation and the exploitation. It renders all of this into an appeal to consider the reality of these mummies, that they were once living, and still are individuals.
Looking into specifically how they arrived in America from Egypt and the journey to current preservation is interesting and highlights a vital point in understanding how to care for not only artefacts, but human beings and how to respect them and the cultural elements tied to their practices which, ultimately, are infringed upon exhumation.
I really wanted to read more of this and was sad it ended so soon, nonetheless, a very important read for not only historians, but the general public that are not necessarily aware of the history of the treatment of many of the artefacts seen today on display.
Looking into specifically how they arrived in America from Egypt and the journey to current preservation is interesting and highlights a vital point in understanding how to care for not only artefacts, but human beings and how to respect them and the cultural elements tied to their practices which, ultimately, are infringed upon exhumation.
I really wanted to read more of this and was sad it ended so soon, nonetheless, a very important read for not only historians, but the general public that are not necessarily aware of the history of the treatment of many of the artefacts seen today on display.
March 16, 2024
I feel I need to give a disclaimer that while I am not a professional in Egyptology/archaeology/anthropology, I do have a university degree in the subject area which is partially why I was originally drawn to this book.
I really appreciated how well Holt did making this academically researched and published non fiction book about history read much less dense than most other books in its same category.
I was shocked and appalled at the “humans consume mummies” portion of the book and it cause extreme emotions multiple times.
The only thing I would change it a few sections did feel as if Holt just couldn’t decide what facts he wanted to cut down so he just listed them all which was impossible to remember so many quick fire lists in a row.
I did read this book prior to pub date thanks to the generosity of #NetGalley and #TantorAudio but all opinions are my own!
I really appreciated how well Holt did making this academically researched and published non fiction book about history read much less dense than most other books in its same category.
I was shocked and appalled at the “humans consume mummies” portion of the book and it cause extreme emotions multiple times.
The only thing I would change it a few sections did feel as if Holt just couldn’t decide what facts he wanted to cut down so he just listed them all which was impossible to remember so many quick fire lists in a row.
I did read this book prior to pub date thanks to the generosity of #NetGalley and #TantorAudio but all opinions are my own!
March 14, 2024
What a great read! I enjoyed the look into the mummy market, and some of the practices from the ancient world. Who knew they were a bit con artisty too!
For a while, there was a real market for mummies, including use as headache relief, digestion, and so much more. Who knows what valuable information was lost during the craze on the market.
The author takes us on a journey, and the mummy of Ankh-Hap. It was a great look -with a lot of information and well-researched. I enjoyed this audiobook immsensly. I loved taking a deeper dive into some of the areas in Egyptian history.
Highly recommed this read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oxford University Press for an advanced review audiobook for my unbiased review.
For a while, there was a real market for mummies, including use as headache relief, digestion, and so much more. Who knows what valuable information was lost during the craze on the market.
The author takes us on a journey, and the mummy of Ankh-Hap. It was a great look -with a lot of information and well-researched. I enjoyed this audiobook immsensly. I loved taking a deeper dive into some of the areas in Egyptian history.
Highly recommed this read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oxford University Press for an advanced review audiobook for my unbiased review.
May 4, 2024
This book is intensive research into the journey of the mummy "Anh-Hr-H3cpj", but a more correct name is "Ankh-Hap". What may seem like a simple subject about a mummy is actually a "journey through time" and across different continents. In a very elaborate investigation, various atrocities are recounted that I had no idea were possible.
Intriguing, shocking, aberrant and very informative.
In this quote the author is talking about mummies.
Intriguing, shocking, aberrant and very informative.
In this quote the author is talking about mummies.
[…] Mummy Brown was so popular that many canvases on display in our finest museums have been daubed with the bodies of dead Egyptians. For example, it is believed that the iconic 1830 painting Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, now in the Louvre, was produced with this pigment. […]
March 28, 2024
As someone who has always been fascinated by history and Egyptian history, I was excited to pick this one up. I have been wanting to learn more about Egyptians recently, so I was looking forward to this. This book gave a great explanation to a niche area of people's fascination with mummies. I didn’t realize before reading this the history of how they were bought, traded and kept in the US which was fascinating. Holt does a great job of crafting a story, an interesting story of how these mummies ended up where they did. This is a quick, easy, interesting listen that I recommend picking up.
March 9, 2024
I am not a typical reader of all things ancient Egypt but I found this to be an interesting read. Where there was an interesting read that I did enjoy and I realize that this is a factual read it was rather dry to start and then as the book progresses it then 'loosened' up. Overall, this was an interesting read that shed a lot of light onto the treatment of the ancient mummies as well as some of the spectacular things that occurred throughout time.
March 22, 2024
I was thoroughly interested in Ancient Egypt since I was in grade school. I was very excited to receive the audiobook from NetGalley and started listening immediately. I was completely fascinated by the in-depth research that the author did. I enjoyed how the author tied Ankh-Hap's mummy to the history of mummification and the American and European fascination with Egyptian mummies. I also enjoyed how Holt included fiction books and movies and how they evolved over the years.
April 26, 2024
An exceptionally written, intriguing true detective story of one mummy's tortuous journey from his homeland in Egypt to the US. I've had the honor of visiting Ank-Hap (the subject of the book) at the Houston Museum of Natural Science a few times, but the next time I see him I will have a much better understanding of who he is thanks to this excellent book.
May 15, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
I was always fascinated by Ancient Egypt as a child, which I feel is pretty typical. So, I'm always kinda excited like a little kid when I pick up a book about it. This covered a wider breadth of information then I thought it would, which was nice.
Rating: 4/5
I was always fascinated by Ancient Egypt as a child, which I feel is pretty typical. So, I'm always kinda excited like a little kid when I pick up a book about it. This covered a wider breadth of information then I thought it would, which was nice.
Rating: 4/5
June 21, 2024
A fascinating, and gory at times, record of the horrific mummy trade throughout history, and details of one specific mummy journey from Egypt to Texas. Highly recommend reading
March 25, 2024
3.5⭐️ A fascinating story following the journey of one mummy through time. Some parts got a little boring but over all it was a very interesting book about mummy’s, I feel like I learned a lot. The narration was good.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews