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  • Red Land, Black Land

  • Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
  • By: Barbara Mertz
  • Narrated by: Lorna Raver
  • Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (34 ratings)
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Red Land, Black Land cover art

Red Land, Black Land

By: Barbara Mertz
Narrated by: Lorna Raver
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Summary

Esteemed Egyptologist Barbara Mertz updates her widely praised social history of the people of ancient Egypt, which was originally published in 1968. Combining impeccable scholarship with a delightfully personal style, the author reconstructs the life of the Egyptians from birth to death, and beyond death, too.

She also presents much fascinating detail on the building of the pyramids and the intricate art of mummification. Students and laymen alike will enjoy the wealth of authentic material on every aspect of Egyptian life that Mertz provides.

©2008 MPM Manor, Inc. (P)2008 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"One can only highly recommend the book." ( Natural History)

What listeners say about Red Land, Black Land

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Sarah Palin meets Amenhotep

I couldn't finish this. The combination of patronising, folksy content and condescending 'I'm talking to really stupid children' delivery drove me up the wall. Ancient Egypt deserves better than this. Listen to Herodotus instead.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Accessible and gentle glance through time

Not everyone is going to like the style of this book. It is written (and by the way brilliantly read) very much like a knowledgeable older relative who is holding a cup of tea and chatting amiably about different aspects of Ancient Egyptian life. If you like your history delivered in sober lecture-like style then this might seem rather too friendly and relaxed, but if you just have an average interest in what it was really like to live in ancient Egypt then this book is for you. There is plenty of humour, and you could sometimes believe the author is making it up as they go along, yet I dare say there has been plenty of scholarly research behind it.

The subjects cover all aspects of life, but I was surprised when I heard chapters on pyramid building and embalming, neither of which are really much to do with ordinary life for most Egyptians. If the author has sometimes strayed into more certain if exceptional territory, then it does not dominate the book, and most of the time we learn about food, housing, social conventions and that kind of thing.

It's all very gentle and relaxed, and the reader does a superb job of passing that style on, making you think you are listening to the author herself. What you won't hear is lists of pharaohs and their achievements, although a little knowledge of the history of the civilisation does help.

What I am calling accessible some might call patronising, but I guess that depends on how you like to hear your book. I've read plenty on ancient Egypt, and had no problem with the way this one was written. For those with an interest in ancient lives this book is definitely recommended, but those that prefer dry, scholarly works might like to give it a miss.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very good indeed

A lovely book, beautifully read. I'm the sort of Brit who hears an American narrator and tends to think "Oh, that's a shame" but really the author's engaging writing and the narrator's warnth and excellence combined perfectly.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

interesting and funny

I really liked the impartial and sceptical views of the author, the reading of which was spot on shame it isn't longer

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

detailed & engaging introduction to ancient Egypt

detailed & engaging introduction to ancient Egypt.

narration is good, well paced and interesting.

the contents of the boom are well written, entertaining and detailed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

For all interested in Ancient Egypt

This is a first class book for anybody interested in the subject. A text book that reads like a novel. Highly recommended. 5* + for me personally. Have already bought another of her books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect Social History

This book is really a great find, especially if you enjoy learning about the life and lifestyles of average people throughout history.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Story telling style ancient Egyptian culture

An excellent and most intertaining whilst well informed and accurate way of narrating Egyptian culture and tradition.

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