Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

De: Bob Brier, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Bob Brier

What is it about ancient Egypt that still captures our imaginations? How did it grow from a few villages along the Nile into the greatest power the world had ever seen? Explore these questions and more in these 12 entertaining lectures that tell the stories of the great pharaohs and the daily realities of Egyptian life.

By recounting the lives and accomplishments of the men and women who made Egypt such a captivating civilization, Professor Brier presents a history of ancient Egypt that spans more than 30 centuries and introduces you to the personalities who made Egypt the greatest nation of the ancient world. Among other things, you'll study: The "Narmer Palette," the first historical document, whose images of Narmer's traditions would endure for 3,000 years; Sneferu, who taught Egypt how to perfect the pyramid, a structure whose origins lay in the need to protect desert graves from exposure by the wind; the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb, which is the most scrutinized episode in the history of Egyptology; and Cleopatra, the enigmatic Grecian ruler who learned Egypt's language and tried to resurrect both the nation's religion and greatness.

Cleopatra's valiant efforts to save Egypt, with the aid of Julius Caesar and, afterward, with Marc Antony, were doomed. Egypt, no longer a nation, would become a Roman province. But the civilization's fascinating story would live on for thousands of years.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

A Great Presenter

Professor Brier presents the information in a way that is informative, explanatory, and interesting; a great combination. His students must love going to his class!

Too short!

I wish this lecture would keep going, it was incredibly captivating and informative. Bob Brier is passionate about what he’s teaching and that just makes it a fantastic listen.

Egypt

I increase my understanding of the history of Egypt andi its. contribution to further countries.

A marvelous, marvelous course!

Instead of teaching dates ("which everybody forgets anyway") prof. Briar shows lives of rulers who made Egypt great.

Although it's impossible to tell 3000+ years of Egypt in 12 lectures he fills the gaps between the kings so you get an overall picture of the whole history, not just disjointed figures.

His knowledge is obviously vast but so is his skill as a storyteller. He makes dry history an emotional journey into lives of kings, what kind of people they were, not just what they'd done and it left me with a feeling of intimacy with Ancient Egypt, much more than I expected when I started the course.

It's a great primer into Ancient Egypt and now I think I'm ready for the full 48-lectures course by the same professor.

Listen to it. You won't regret.

Must it end?

Brier knows his subject thoroughly and has the ability to engage the listener with these ancient times in history with fresh vitality. I was left with a sense of kinship to these Egyptian key players and felt only regret that there was no more!?

Opinionated for a College Lecture

First, let me establish that I recommend this book. Second, let's make it clear the lecturer is an expert in mummies, so my criticism is directed at other things.

First, it is apparent that the lecturer is the type who falls in love with his subject, so he doesn't like to here bad news about what was typical Pharaoh behavior.

Second, the guy is agnostic. And since this is a history class, I should not be able to see that. It comes up when he gives his interpretation of the Exodus. He is not as well read on the subject of Biblical Archeology as I am, and while nothing can be proven there are many important points he misses on the subject. In fact, according to other theories he misplaces the Exodus by centuries. And the assertion the Red Sea was really the Reed Sea in the Exodus saga has been debunked.

Third, as alluded earlier, the lecturer presents his interpretation of the evidence. He always does say when he's expressing his opinion, but he never provides an alternative. I would say this series could benefit greatly for expansion in that regard, because this is a little short in for a Great Courses series.

Excellent course by a dynamic professor

This is been one of my favorite editions of the great courses. The professor is an expert, but he speaks in such an accessible and engaged tone throughout the course. I learned so much about ancient Egypt, and I absolutely loved this professor. I highly recommend this.

Great lecture

Love learning about Egyptology. This is a great lecture about the history on the Pharaohs.

Bob Brier all day every day...

If you could sum up Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt in three words, what would they be?

Bob Brier's got an affable manner and he really knows his stuff, he's a great tale teller, lecturer this is basic introductory material, and should be pretty much de rigueur for anyone who's interested in the Pharaonic timeline. This is a great place to start.

Great narration, one small complaint, the awful trumpeting fanfare they play at the beginning of every 35 minute lecture. Too loud and too raucous, overwrought. I'm laying in bed, not attending a Jousting match.

Otherwise this series is fine.

great buy!

just can't help but listen to the whole thing as much as possible! very engaging definitely a great audible!!