From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up-This book relies on hieroglyphics, charms, paintings, and even written prayers to re-create what life was like in the land of the pyramids. Rather than attempt to summarize the entire history of Egypt, the chapters focus on personal accounts of specific people who have been dead for thousands of years. For example, in 2002 B.C., a farmer named Hekanakht was sent away from his family to fulfill ceremonial and administrative duties. Through his letters home, readers learn of his struggles to settle domestic squabbles and maintain his farm from afar. Accounts of pharaohs, warriors, and commoners are included. Much emphasis is given to the role of women. These primary-source documents create a moving and immediate picture of these ancient people. Full-color photos work well with the text, showing carvings, sculpture, and portraits of the Egyptians whose stories are told along with artifacts relating to their lives. The text is meaty; nonreaders scared off by the adult format will miss the best part-reconfiguring in their imaginations the past as its participants described it. The best use of this book may be by teachers to supplement a study unit with succinct, shared passages transcribed from the past. A fascinating volume that can't help but make readers wonder if human emotions will survive as well on paper and e-mail as these amazing messages have done in clay and stone.Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public LibraryCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 8^-12. This is not a supplement for middle-grade units on Egypt. Yes, it is full of information for report writers, and color pictures dot every page, but it is not traditionally organized, and the writing style is sophisticated, as is some of the material. For instance, an early chapter details an ancient papyrus letter, one that was written in 2002 B.C. A landowner, out of town during the harvest, is worried that his family is being cruel to his second wife and that a member of his household is sexually harassing her. It is also clear that he spoils his youngest child and disdains an older one. These peeks into the past make readers aware of the similarities between the people of ancient Egypt and ourselves. The book, which covers the time period from 3050 to 3030 B.C., also looks at the life of royalty, focusing on several kings, including Akhenaton and Ramses. There is information about the pyramids, mummification, religion, work and social life, and Tut's treasures as well. An interesting addition to Egyptology collections, one that puts a human face to an ancient civilization. Ilene Cooper

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Like many of his predecessors, Ramses III enjoyed the luxury of a large harem, filled with beautiful Egyptian women and foreign princesses. But harems, while pleasurable, could also pose a risk to a king and his chosen successor. In the 32nd year of Ramses' reign, one of his secondary wives plotted to assassinate him and set her own son, rather than Ramses' designated heir, upon the throne. With great cunning, she convinced other women of the harem, their guards, and some of the pharaoh's closest advisers to join forces with her. Although they would be punished with death if they failed, the conspirators set their plans in motion, determined to bring Ramses down by any means necessary, including witchcraft. What Life Was Like On the Banks of the Nile recounts Ramses' chilling tale and many other intriguing, true accounts of the lives of the ancient Egyptians. Their dazzling civilization, which was born by the river Nile and flourished by 3,000 years, captures our imagination as no other culture before or since. Their magnificent pyramids, colossal temples, and brooding Sphinx never fail to awe and astound us. But even more amazing are other artifacts, ones that the Egyptians never meant for us to see - rolls of papyrus, pottery chips, and tombs - that tell us about the people who built the grand structures that grace the Egyptian landscape.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal