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The Egyptian Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends (Myths, 1) Hardcover – April 22, 2014

by Garry J. Shaw (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 193 ratings
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An authoritative guide to the Egyptian myths that sheds new light on an ancient way of understanding the world

This survey of Egyptian mythology explores how the ancient Nile-dwellers explained the world around them. It delves into the creation and evolution of the world and the reigns of the gods on earth, before introducing us to the manifestations of Egypt’s deities in the natural environment; the inventive ways in which the Egyptians dealt with the invisible forces all around them; and their beliefs about life after death.

Through his engaging narrative, Garry Shaw guides us through the mythic adventures of such famous deities as Osiris, the god murdered by his jealous brother Seth; the magical and sometimes devious Isis, who plotted to gain the power of the sun god Re; and Horus, who defeated his uncle Seth to become king of Egypt. He also introduces us to lesser known myths, such as the rebellions against Re; Geb’s quest for Re’s magical wig; and the flaying of the unfortunate god Nemty. From stars and heavenly bodies sailing on boats, to the wind as manifestation of the god Shu, to gods, goddesses, ghosts, and demons―beings that could be aggressive, helpful, wise, or dangerous―Shaw goes on to explain how the Egyptians encountered the mythological in their everyday lives.

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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Myths
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Thames & Hudson
  5. Publication date
    April 22, 2014
  6. Dimensions
    5.4 x 1.2 x 8.1 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0500251983
  8. ISBN-13
    979-0500251989
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The myths are presented here in a down-to-earth and often humorous manner, consistent with the spirit of the texts, exposing the gamut of human emotion from the rage of the solar deity to the lamentations of the widowed Isis ... will be fitting additions to the library of the Nile traveller ... can be read with interest and pleasure in an armchair."
― History Today UK

"Most books on mythology present their material as archaic stories and that's that. But this author gives us the background to the myths and then explains how they were integrated into every aspect of the ordinary Egyptian's existence from birth to death―and beyond. Illustrations, diagrams and drawings, together with many extraordinarily powerful quotations from papyri, paint a picture of the dynamic forces that the gods represented and how their lives were played out in the various myths."
― Minerva UK

"With academic authority and enjoyable style, assisted by numerous, well-chosen illustrations of gods and goddesses, Shaw's book is a lively introduction to its subject."
― Current World Archaeology UK

"Beautifully set out on high quality paper ... and featuring some lesser known stories ... alongside more familiar myths, this is a good introduction to the complex mythology of the ancient Egyptians and their unique way of understanding the world around them."
― Ancient Egypt UK

"The Egyptian Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends uncovers it all."
― Examiner.com

About the Author

Garry J. Shaw is an Egyptologist and travel writer who regularly writes for the Art Newspaper and has contributed to Apollo magazine, History Today, Current World Archaeology, and Timeless Travels. He is the author of The Egyptian Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson; Illustrated edition (April 22, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500251983
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-0500251989
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 1.2 x 8.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 193 ratings

About the author

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Garry J. Shaw

Garry J. Shaw

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Dr. Garry J. Shaw studied archaeology and Egyptology at the University of Liverpool. He has taught Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, the University of Liverpool, the Egypt Exploration Society, and currently teaches online Egyptology as a part-time tutor for Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education. He has appeared on various television and radio programmes, regularly writes for magazines and newspapers, including The Art Newspaper and Timeless Travels, and has worked for archaeological projects in Egypt and Turkey.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
193 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic overview of the most important myths and gods
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is an overview whose stories have been pulled from multiple sources and sort of shaped into a more narrative form by the author. It never pretends to be anything else, and does what it says it will *very* well.

Read about creation, daily life, the most epic of the myths, and more. The Egyptian Myths is worth five stars alone for the explanation about the afterlife myths. These are the most scattered and difficult to understand for various reasons, such as the heavy symbolism and the fact the ancient Egyptians had multiple "maps" for the afterlife over their 3000 year history. You'll leave this chapter feel more familiar with the probable layout of the Duat, the kinds of dangers you'd face if you were there, and what would happen if you succeeded in making your way to the Hall of Judgment...or if you failed.

Chockfull of interesting facts and well-told stories, The Egyptian Myths is a great purchase of any Egyptology buff. The writing is so engaging that, even if a lot of the stories are familiar to you, they feel fresh.
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Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars a must buy for egyptian fans
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
honestly, this book was so great. i tend to not sit down and fully read nonfiction books-- i'll usually skim and annotate and reference them where i need to for work. but i genuinely could not put this book down. the writing style was engaging and the little sidebars with fun facts, god descriptions, and relevant cultural information was great to break up the text.

if you want an easy to understand, interesting, in-depth and generally enjoyable introduction into egyptology, i would 100% recommend this book, and any other work from garry j shaw!
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David C
4.0 out of 5 stars He did what??!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2017
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Good reference. Takes you behind the scenes of the beginning creation myths and places them in context.
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Aran Joseph Canes
5.0 out of 5 stars An Immense Topic Well Summarized
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
One might think that the best way to learn about Egyptian mythology would be to read a translation of an original text. The problem with this approach is that the available texts span some three millennia. Even the earliest Egyptians often inscribed mythology in their burial chambers and the writing is still extant.

Thankfully, Garry Shaw has put together an introductory text to guide neophytes into the traditions of the Egyptian gods and goddesses. Like their civilization as a whole, their are threads of continuity connecting the different eras in Egyptian mythology. Dr. Shaw expertly takes one on a tour of the panoply of myths ancient Egyptians told to one another.

A recurrent theme in this book is that this mythology was the Egyptians’ way of understanding both their human society and the natural world—just as modern Westerners have a scientific outlook. I have to disagree that a system of legends, strictly imposed from birth by an elite of pharaohs and priests, is of the same nature as modern science. Perhaps, the author merely meant to suggest that the same virtues of curiosity and wonder underly both endeavors.

Regardless of that issue, the book is a wonderful introductory text to Egyptian mythology and provides a sufficient background to tackle the original texts. For a book merely meant to be an overview of a topic to which one could devote a lifetime of study and still not survey the entire compass, I think that is about the highest praise that could be offered.
8 people found this helpful
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Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
Fast. Cool book. Well made. Love Thames and Hudson books. Well wrapped and delivered
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Sam Moak
5.0 out of 5 stars My son loves it!
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2022
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Shipped quickly and in great condition
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Howard Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good guide
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent guide to Egyptian mythology if you do not have time to pore through numerous texts and documents. This text would be useful in a class on mythology.
8 people found this helpful
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Leisel
5.0 out of 5 stars I bought this for my daughter who has loved all things Egypt since she was 5
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2017
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I bought this for my daughter who has loved all things Egypt since she was 5. She says it is well written and the chronolgical order is easy to understand.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An explanation and unification of ancient Egyptian belief.
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
The book explains the evolution of the belief system by detailing how the original god morphed into the vast numbers we read about. Cult centres along the Nile had their own gods or names for gods. While there are differences between local cult gods, the book explains how they follow a generally unified theme.
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CADA1
5.0 out of 5 stars The Egyptology equivalent of Steven Hawkins Guide to the Universe
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Although lacking in colour, this book gives the reader a great understanding of Ancient Egypt, the evolution of the Pharoahs, and their belief mechanisms. Well worth a read for anyone embarking on a trip to Egypt and it's magnificent historical sites.
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Anwesha Banerjee
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book.
Reviewed in India on August 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Excellent book, very interesting one with lots of illustrations and pictures. Paper quality of the book is also quite good. Also it's a hard bind book. Nice read.
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Anwesha Banerjee
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book.
Reviewed in India on August 23, 2020
Excellent book, very interesting one with lots of illustrations and pictures. Paper quality of the book is also quite good. Also it's a hard bind book. Nice read.
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Lynda Haymes
5.0 out of 5 stars Facts and true data
Reviewed in Australia on January 29, 2021
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A very detailed and adult book for those that are intellectually interested in the facts not just the stories to tell children. I was impressed with the writing and the facts are provable, to an ancient egyptologist as myself, who is only years away from being mummified herself. Well done a great read.
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Leah
5.0 out of 5 stars Boyfriend loves it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I bought it for my boyfriend as an early christmas present to do reading over the college break. He's mentioned how much he likes mythology (so do I) so I bought him this! I was worried it wouldn't be great and a bit boring but he absolutely loves it! it has a few pictures in the book aswell which is great! He loves it/ Highly recommend! will be buying the other books for myself soon :)
One person found this helpful
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