Walking Among Pharaohs

In recent years, there's been an ongoing debate in the worlds of history and archaeology over the ethics of taking art and artifacts from a particular country and taking possession of it elsewhere. It's an unsettling remnant of colonialism, and its history runs deeply. Peter Der Manuelian's new book Walking Among Pharaohs offers readers an engaging account of the origins of contemporary Egyptology--and how it helps explain some of the debates we're reckoning with decades later. * InsideHook *
Walking Among Pharaohs is a lively and uniquely informed biography of the most important American archaeologist of ancient Egypt and one of the founders of his discipline. Drawing expertly on a staggering range of sources, Peter Der Manuelian brings George Reisner, his ideas, and his times compellingly to life. * John Baines, University of Oxford *
The definitive biography of G.A. Reisner, who is generally regarded as one of the most important and influential Egyptologists and archaeologists of his day. The story flows with no punches pulled, revealing Reisner in intimate detail, warts and all. A must read for anyone interested in the early days of American Egyptology. * Eric Cline, author of 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed *
Peter Der Manuelian's Walking Among Pharaohs is a thorough examination of the life, career, and legacy of one of the most influential Egyptologists of his era, George Reisner. Presenting Reisner's legacy in all of its complexity—including the colonialist and the racist elements of his work—highlights the indelible mark he left on the field, and how he shaped it for future generations. Walking Among Pharaohs is a worthy contribution to our understanding of the history of Egyptology. * Kathlyn M. Cooney, University of California, Los Angeles *
This is an amazingly rich biography of George Reisner, a giant among archaeologists working in the Nile Valley. It's also a powerful reflection on archaeology's many meanings, from celebration of ancient cultures to colonial appropriation. * Geoff Emberling, University of Michigan *
George Reisner has long been one of the most influential but least known archaeologists from the 'golden age' of Egyptology. Manuelian has finally done Reisner justice, bringing his long life, extraordinary career, and contested legacy into the spotlight of critical enquiry. Walking Among Pharaohs is a prodigious work of scholarship. * Toby Wilkinson, author of A World Beneath the Sands: The Golden Age of Egyptology *
[Manuelian] is the ideal author for this authoritative first biography of Reisner. It is an essential addition to any Egyptological library, bringing to light the work and accomplishments of Reisner in Egypt and Nubia during the 'golden age' of Egyptology. The extensive, meticulous notes and bibliography are indispensable. * Ancient Egypt Magazine *
With this opus magnum (in every sense of the word), Peter Der Manuelian has completed a remarkable achievement, crowning more than twenty years of research... The author is indeed to be commended for truly mastering the 'staggering range of sources'...and the 'thorough examination'-at times painstakingly so-of the complexities of Reisner's biography, addressing the manifold issues of 'colonial appropriation' and 'racism'. * Orientalistische Literaturzeitung *
Every chapter contains some gem about the history of Egyptology.... This book will almost certainly remain the definitive biography of Reisner. Professor Der Manuelian is a careful and thorough researcher and for a book this long (1,000+ pages) we can only say 'Thank god he can write!' * Bob Brier, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt *
Walking Among Pharaohs, reflects the richness of that archival record in its marshalling of countless letters, several diaries, numerous proposals and reports, photographs, and other unpublished materials into a narrative. * Jeffrey Abt, Bibliotheca Orientalis *