I was a little disappointed in this book. The bits with his father were good and the bits about butterflies were okay. At times the author seemed moreI was a little disappointed in this book. The bits with his father were good and the bits about butterflies were okay. At times the author seemed more interested in Vladimir Nabokov, Zadie Smith, Virginia Woolf, Luther Vandross, Joni Mitchell, Prince or the LA Lakers. I really didn’t enjoy the style of writing, not my cup of tea....more
I had totally forgotten that the Thames was a tidal river. This book tells of the author’s exploration of the river banks from Teddington to the estuaI had totally forgotten that the Thames was a tidal river. This book tells of the author’s exploration of the river banks from Teddington to the estuary. She finds lots of interesting objects and goes into some of the history behind them. A very enjoyable read....more
It has taken me two months to slog my way through this book. The Seven Wonders always interested me but this book had way more info and side stories tIt has taken me two months to slog my way through this book. The Seven Wonders always interested me but this book had way more info and side stories than I was ever looking for. I'm sure for some it will be a real treasure....more
The vast amount of information was a strength and weakness. There is lots you can learn from this book but at times I did feel overwhelmed by all the The vast amount of information was a strength and weakness. There is lots you can learn from this book but at times I did feel overwhelmed by all the people, places, events, dates and artifacts. Likely good to keep as a reference book....more
John Stephens and Frederick Catherwood met while exploring Egypt and the Middle East in the 1830's, then in the 1840's they explored Guatemala and MexJohn Stephens and Frederick Catherwood met while exploring Egypt and the Middle East in the 1830's, then in the 1840's they explored Guatemala and Mexico searching for Mayan ruins. They are frequently referred to "discovering" them but how can you discover something that that natives know about and that the Spanish partially destroyed 200 years before. What would be interesting is to read their books about their travels. Stephen's is reported to have an easy conversational style about his writings, and Catherwood's illustrations are almost photographic in their detail.
The book is part biography, part exploration and part speculation of the Mayan culture. For a lawyer and an engineer, Stephens and Catherwood were keen observers and very forward thinking about what they were observing. Highly recommend this book. ...more
The author heard about the Mummy Congress and attended it. There she met scientists that started her on a journey to learn about mummies. I preferred The author heard about the Mummy Congress and attended it. There she met scientists that started her on a journey to learn about mummies. I preferred the stories of the older mummies, Egyptian, Bog People, Caucasians in western China and South American mummies. The stories of the relatively contemporary mummies, Stalin, Japanese monks and those people who are cryogenically frozen didn't interest me half as much. Lots of information of ancient lives in this book....more
This is a series of 44 brief but very interesting articles about skeletons, graves, mass graves, mummies and the various artifacts found with them. ItThis is a series of 44 brief but very interesting articles about skeletons, graves, mass graves, mummies and the various artifacts found with them. It covers discoveries from prehistoric times right up to 1812 with Napoleon's army in Russia. ...more
This book could easily have been some boring academic treatise but it is exactly the opposite. It is one of the most interesting books I have read in This book could easily have been some boring academic treatise but it is exactly the opposite. It is one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. It covers Richard III' s life and death at Bosworth, one lady's obsession with his story and getting him found, convincing groups to fund an archeological dig, the dig it's self, reassembling the skeleton, identifying injuries, reconstructing his face and finally DNA confirmation that the skeleton actually is Richard III. An easy read that just rips along like a good mystery should.
This will be one of my all time favourite books!...more
An interesting book about the exploration of KV 5, the possible tomb of the sons of Ramesses II. It is scholarly enough to give you some insight into An interesting book about the exploration of KV 5, the possible tomb of the sons of Ramesses II. It is scholarly enough to give you some insight into ancient Egypt; but not so scholarly that it comes across as lie a text book. Like most of these explorations it is still a work in progress and open to various theories and interpretations....more
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