Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom

This is a very beautiful book with excellent articles. It is, in part, the catalog of the like-named exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum, but it also contains many related articles. There is a catalogue section, showing and discussing the items in the exhibit, as well as sections before and after that discussing aspects of the Middle Kingdom; those sections are profusely illustrated with photos of the catalogue items as well as other relevant illustrations. It is very rare to have an exhibit centering on the Middle Kingdom, and, to most people, the Middle Kingdom is surely the least-known of the major divisions of Egyptian history. This exhibit, therefore, is most welcome and this book will remain a major resource for future study. I’ve made a list of the articles, and I will apologize in advance for any typos or omissions. The first part of the book contains introductory materials (maps and such), and one chapter: Introduction: What Was the Middle Kingdom?, by Adela Oppenheim. The next section, Aspects of Middle Kingdom Art, contains the following: Architecture: Building for Eternity across Egypt, by Dieter Arnold. Statues in Their Settings: Encountering the Divine, by Dorothea Arnold. Artists and Workshops: The Complexity of Creation, by Adela Oppenheim. The Decoration of Elite Tombs: Connecting the Living and the Dead, by Janice Kamrin. The Art of the Stela: An Appeal to the Living, by Kei Yamamoto. Next is the actual catalogue of the exhibit, divided into the following chapters: A New Start from the South: Thebes during the Eleventh Dynasty, by Dieter Arnold and Dorothea Arnold. The Move to the North: Establishing a New Capital, by Dieter Arnold and Peter Janosi. Pharaoh: Power and Performance, by Dorothea Arnold. Royal Women: Ladies of the Two Lands, by Isabel Stunkel. The Pharaoh's Subjects: Court and Provinces, by Wolfram Grajetzki. An Expanding Worldview: Conquest, Colonization, and Coexistence, by David O'Connor. The Impact of Middle Kingdom Literature: Ancient and Modern, by Richard B. Parkinson. Comprehending Life: Community, Environment, and the Supernatural, by Kei Yamamoto. Understanding Death: A Journey between Worlds, by Stephen Quirke. Abydos and Osiris: The Terrace of the Great God, by Kei Yamamoto. Temples: Secluded Domains for Kings and Gods, by Adela Oppenheim. Later Life of Middle Kingdom Monuments: Interrogating Tanis, by Marsha Hill. The final main section is entitled, “Middle Kingdom History and Archaeology.” It contains: Middle Kingdom History: An Overview, by Wolfram Grajetzki. Excavations by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at Middle Kingdom Sites, by Dieter Arnold and Adela Oppenheim. Selected Sites: Elephantine, Thebes, East Bank (Karnak and Luxor), Thebes, West Bank, Abydos, Middle Egypt, The Fayum, Lisht, Dahshur, Memphis, The Delta, by Dieter Arnold. Felix Arnold, Manfred Bietak, Luc Gabolde, Lisa Giddy, Janice Kamrin and by Josef Wegner.

I bought this to help with some research I am performing for a project. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been involved in excavations in Egypt for decades (I nearly said 'over a century' but need to check my facts). Their Egyptian exhibit is one of the finest, containing some famous items (some of the Letters from Hekanakhte, which served as the inspiration for Agatha Christie's book DEATH COMES AS THE END, for example). Their texts are excellent and, it appears, their picture books are just as good. Actually, this is not a 'picture book', but the catalog for their recent exhibit covering the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. The text is very good. Informative, educational and even entertaining. The quality of the illustrations is truly superbe. The image for this listing is the cover of the book. The other pictures are equally well done.

As previous reviewers stated, this is an illustrated catalogue for an exhibition at the Met which featured pieces from the museum's collection as well as loaned pieces from other museums and collections. The book is organized around various essays by Egyptologists concerning aspects of Middle Kindgom life and history. There are numerous detailed maps and chronological lists of the dynasties and rulers. Would make an attractive coffee table book, but is also a good read for anyone interested in ancient Egypt.

Not only a catalogue but a good overview about Middle Kingdom which eclipsed between glorious old kingdom and new kingdom. As Very few authrative texts available about this particular period, this book is gladly welcome. Authorative text and excellent visual source. If you wish to have only one book in Middle Kingdom this is the book for you. I bought it for real bargain price from Amazon and glad to have it.

As others have pointed out, this is a splendid volume written to accompany a magnificent exhibit. For various reasons, the Middle Kingdom, while recognized as significant, seems, at times, to be an extended footnote in many volumes on Egyptian history. Ancient Egypt Transformed makes a major course adjustment. Wonderfully illustrated with chapters written by the experts, it is up-to-date, even surprising. This volume has set a standard that will be difficult to top for some time to come. But for those interested in Egypt and the period, let's hope it challenges others to produce more, excellent work.

love it.

First things first: this is an exhibition catalogue, so the majority of the text is concerned with the specific pieces in the exhibit at the Met. However, it is also an extensive overview of the Middle Kingdom and its critical role in changing every facet of life in ancient Egypt; the real value here is that these changes (in art, architecture, decoration and sculpture) are all directly connected to the pieces listed and shown in the catalogue. As such, the book is primarily geared towards those already familiar with the period; if you don't have much background exposure or knowledge of ancient Egypt generally (and the Middle Kingdom specifically), this book isn't for you. For those who do, this is a must-have volume.

Excellent overview of Middle Kingdom art and history. Articles were very well written and the photographs were superb. Excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in Egyptian art and history.

Tolle bilder

Le catalogue est superbe, et les notices détaillées permettent de faire le point sur les connaissances du Moyen Empire. C'est pour cela que je l'ai acheté. Mais, la rapidité de livraison, la qualité de l'emballage et le prix sont des arguments imparables pour choisir ce vendeur.

This book was bought as a birthday treat and hasn't failed to delight. It covers a multitude of aspects of the Middle Kingdom, putting each of the exhibits in their context. Excellently illustrated throughout and offering the latest thoughts on this fascinting period of Egyptian history, I cannot do anything but highly recommend it. A transatlantic flight to view the actual exhibition would have been great, but most of the exhibits appear to be from the MMA itself, so hopefully will be there to appreciate in the future. Until then this book is the next best thing.

This book is a must have for any Egyptians enthusiast. It's not easy to find in depth resources about the Middle Kingdom which was an very vital part of Egyptians history. Beautiful large book with great photos and detailed descriptions. Highly recommended.

Large beautiful book with lots of illustrations and readable text