Dawn M. (Widow53) reviewed The Keys of Egypt: The Obsession to Decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs on + 161 more book reviews
How did Jean-Francois Champollion decipher the Egyptian hierglyphic system? This book explains how he did it and why. Dawn
Gary F. (garythefowler) reviewed The Keys of Egypt: The Obsession to Decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs on + 65 more book reviews
Very good! A fuller account of Chamopollion's life and work than I've encountered before--though of course I know that extensive biographies are out there. This one is very accessible, intertwining his personal life, political turnmoil in France and Egypt, scholastic rivalries, and more: It becomes increasingly clear how amazing his success was in the context of all the rest. The "hows" of hieroglyphics and other related systems are clear and fascinating; ancient Egyptian history covered well, too. Good index, and a good current bibliography "Further Reading." High on the list anyone who reads biography, ancient or modern history, linguistics... actually, maybe drama and psychology, too.
