"The Pyramids The Spinx: Tombs and Temples of Giza."

Every so often I find a subject that interests me and pretty much indulge myself in learning about it for a few months. This can be any of a number of things, from submarines to a rock band to some kind of plant. Right now my subject is Egyptology. My mother is brutally aware of this habit to the point of voluntarily subsidizing it, without even being asked, taking me totally by surprise. Ironically though, I have come to expect this, so it wasn't a surprise when I got a book on the Giza Necropolis.

"The Pyramids The Spinx: Tombs and Temples of Giza." by Peter Lacovara is the first book written exclusively on the Giza complex according to the jacket. The necropolis is situated on a slab of stone on the banks of the Nile. Flanked by mortuary temples and minor tombs the Great Pyramids are the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that are still standing, if not in mint condition. The book told me everything that I might have wanted to know and more, and was mercifully free of pictures of mummies. Instead there are stunning, informative photographs of the tombs, temples, and other buildings, as well as various artifacts such as ropes from the Khufu Ship, found miraculously preserved next to his pyramid. There is also a photo of the only known image of Khufu, an ivory statue of Aybdos. There is also a chapter on the tomb of Hetepheres, found hidden next to the pyramid of her son; the history of ancient Egypt, and the tombs of Khafre and Menkaure.

This book has some pictures of things that I have actually seen, such as the replicas of the furniture of Hetepheres. I might have also seen several of the statues in this book, including both of the ones featuring Menkaure. I would have to say that having learned about him this past semester he is my favorite of the Pharaohs; he was a good king, but disobeyed the Gods by being pious as opposed to carrying out Egypt's intended curse of a hundred and fifty years of wicked kings. He was therefore fated to die young, but managed to double his time on Earth by not sleeping (alas, I don;t know how he died, the neuroscientist in me wonders if it wasn't caused by his supposed lack of sleep.)

I really liked this book, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to know more of their history (history belonging to everyone.)

Less than two weeks until spring training starts, whoo hoo!