Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Buildin's, 31 Dec 2008
Mr. Lehner gives us a book, with a mass of technical detail, about the greatest, and most enduring, structures ever built by man. And he is no pyramidiot, givng unprovable but fascinating theories, unlike some other modern authors.
There are maps and illustrations and descriptions of all the major pyramids. The construction details are set out in a logical and easily followed chronological progression. And the whole thing is lightened with the occasionial touch of humour, e.g. one of the gangs engaged in the construction of the Pyramid of Men-Kau-Re is defined as the "Drunkards of M.", - as they called themselves. A book well worth buying, both for the casual reader and the serious student.

The Most Comprehensive Book I Have Read on the Subject, 23 Jan 2008

The author Mark Lehner has written or contributed to a number of historical books, several of them on Egyptian history and this I think is the best of them all. The pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the world and still are one of the world's wonders, although far removed from the glorious sight that they must have been in ancient times.

It is probably true to say that more has been written about the pyramids than any other man made structure on earth and that includes the Great Wall of China and our own Stonehenge. Much of what has been written about the pyramids has been conjecture and to put it kindly stretching the truth to make a good story. The author himself is no stranger to putting forward theories of his own regarding the pyramids and it is up to the reader's how much credence they place in these and other theories. What we do know is that the pyramids were built to precise measurements, so accurate in fact that even today with all the modern building equipment at our disposal we would struggle to emulate the ancient builders. They were also aligned in a particular direction and calculations of where exactly the stars appeared in the Egyptian night sky at the time of their construction, could suggest that at least one of their uses was astronomical

This book quite rightly concentrates on the main Egyptian pyramids and the sphinx and covers all the latest data formulated by today's archaeologists and scientists. This includes how the pyramids were thought to have been built, a Herculean task in itself. Also there are exciting computer generated images of the inside of the pyramids, in fact just about every question you could ask is answered for you in this superb book, even down to a guide for visiting the pyramids themselves.


Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it.:-)

It's an excellent book for discovering the pyramids and has some fantastic photographs. It's brings you up to date with the latest discoveries through using modern technology. It's packed with lots of information and covers all the known pyramids up to the time of printing of the book. It's defiantly worth the money.

Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the pyramids were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


The Complete Picture, 08 Feb 2006
This has got to be one of the reference books you have in your rucksack when you visit any of the pyramids. I would actually rate this book as “best value” for the wide spectrum of information, photographs and diagrams at your disposal. If you are on a budget or need a starter book this is the one to go for; read it and move on from there.

Mark Lehner has hit the right spot with me with this cracking all round winner. I particularly like the format of “The Complete…” series such as Complete Valley of the Kings and The Complete Tutankhamum because the sections are almost stand alone and allow you to drop in and out at your leisure. This one really is a stormer with approximately 550 illustrations with about 80 in colour.

Mark Lehner was a proponent of alternative theories and was inspired by the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce. However, Mark found out that linking Atlantis to the Pyramids did not stand up to scientific scrutiny but continued his work with a new found scientific method and joined the ranks of mainstream Egyptologists. The rest is history because this book is written by an accepted academic but readable. I would strongly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy alternative theories regarding the pyramids. You can use this book to form a baseline of generally established facts before accepting the latest interpretation without a point of reference. At the end of the day you are still the judge but at least you have compared it work that has generally undergone peer review.

There book has five main sections: Introduction, Tomb and Temple, Explorers and Scientists, The Whole Pyramid Catalogue and The Living Pyramid. The introduction is a short section providing an overview of pyramid statistics, chronology of Pyramid builders, locations, pyramid profiles and standard pyramid complex.

Tomb and Temple is relatively short and introduces Ka, Ba, burial rituals, the netherworld, pyramid texts, akhet, duat and ben ben stone. This is a brief but sound trip into the myths and rituals of the underworld.

Explorers and Scientists is a relatively short summary of the famous names such as: Herodotus, Manetho, al-Mamum, Abd al-Latif, John Greaves, Benoit de Maillet, Pococke & Norden, Davidson, Napoleon, Belzoni, Caviglia, Vyse, Lepsius, Mariette, Petrie, Symth, Reisner, Borchardt, Emery, Lauer, Firth, and Quibell. A detailed breakdown of recent explorations 1887-1997 is provided along with a summary of recent discoveries.

The Whole Pyramid Catalogue is the largest section in the book and this is where the book opens up in front of you, literally. Some pages are folded back on themselves in order to allow the reader to unfold a four page panoramic view and better experience visually the author’s viewpoints. A combination of maps, line drawings and photographs provides the budding explorer with an armchair experience of the pyramids. From the pictures and diagrams the reader should be better able to construct a minds-eye 3-D image of the major pyramids and have a feel for the layout of passages and chambers.

The living Pyramid explores the possible methods by which the pyramids may have been built, but with emphasis on objective evidence such as tomb relief’s, ramps, ancient tools and NOVA experiments. There is a guidance section offering advise on visiting the pyramids to help the researcher or tourist optimise there time in Giza, Saqqara, Abusir and Meidum. In the closing pages of the book there is an excellent guide to further reading and references to the sources, quotations and illustrations used throughout the book.

The best layman's guide to the pyramids EVER, 06 Jul 1999
Whether your interest in the pyramids is historical, archaeological or esoteric, this has to be the best book available. It's very well written by an author who really knows his subject, and it systematically covers all the pyramid monuments of Egypt. Although the text is scholarly it's also very readable, and each pyramid is covered in a separate section so it's easy to look up a particular pyramid or dip into the book at random. Most importantly, however, it is fabulously illustrated, not just with superb colour photographs but with diagrams and computer reconstructions. For every pyramid there is a map showing its location, and detailed plans and cross sections showing the complete structure and substructure with all the tunnels, shafts and chambers. The book manages to strike a perfect balance between presenting factual detail and stimulating your imagination, and is the next best thing to an actual visit to Egypt. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Describing the inner halls of the temple of Abu Simbel, Egyptologist Richard Wilkinson writes "In February and October, the sun's rays penetrated some 60m through its inner halls where they illuminated the statues of the deified Rameses and his companion gods". Such evocative detail brings an ancient culture to life and The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt is full of it. As it picks its way through a "complex and tangled" story of over 3,000 years of temple building, the monuments are reconstructed and "offer a unique view into the lives and minds of the ancient Egyptians". Revealing the fascinating depth of knowledge that now exists about the nature and symbolism of Egypt's eternal stone symbols, Wilkinson also indicates how much more there is to learn. Not a lightweight book, literally or metaphorically speaking, this is a volume that asks to be pored over--although the section of descriptions of individual temples, organised by geographical area, is a useful reference tool. Specialist vocabulary (for which there is no glossary) occasionally crops up in the text but informative diagrams and stimulating page design help to make this book attractive to a wide audience. Ending with useful advice for travellers, the combination of a highly illuminating text and superb photographs which is The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt will surely inspire and enrich many a visit to the monuments. --Karen Tiley

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Buildin's, 31 Dec 2008
Mr. Lehner gives us a book, with a mass of technical detail, about the greatest, and most enduring, structures ever built by man. And he is no pyramidiot, givng unprovable but fascinating theories, unlike some other modern authors.
There are maps and illustrations and descriptions of all the major pyramids. The construction details are set out in a logical and easily followed chronological progression. And the whole thing is lightened with the occasionial touch of humour, e.g. one of the gangs engaged in the construction of the Pyramid of Men-Kau-Re is defined as the "Drunkards of M.", - as they called themselves. A book well worth buying, both for the casual reader and the serious student.

The Most Comprehensive Book I Have Read on the Subject, 23 Jan 2008

The author Mark Lehner has written or contributed to a number of historical books, several of them on Egyptian history and this I think is the best of them all. The pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the world and still are one of the world's wonders, although far removed from the glorious sight that they must have been in ancient times.

It is probably true to say that more has been written about the pyramids than any other man made structure on earth and that includes the Great Wall of China and our own Stonehenge. Much of what has been written about the pyramids has been conjecture and to put it kindly stretching the truth to make a good story. The author himself is no stranger to putting forward theories of his own regarding the pyramids and it is up to the reader's how much credence they place in these and other theories. What we do know is that the pyramids were built to precise measurements, so accurate in fact that even today with all the modern building equipment at our disposal we would struggle to emulate the ancient builders. They were also aligned in a particular direction and calculations of where exactly the stars appeared in the Egyptian night sky at the time of their construction, could suggest that at least one of their uses was astronomical

This book quite rightly concentrates on the main Egyptian pyramids and the sphinx and covers all the latest data formulated by today's archaeologists and scientists. This includes how the pyramids were thought to have been built, a Herculean task in itself. Also there are exciting computer generated images of the inside of the pyramids, in fact just about every question you could ask is answered for you in this superb book, even down to a guide for visiting the pyramids themselves.


Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it.:-)

It's an excellent book for discovering the pyramids and has some fantastic photographs. It's brings you up to date with the latest discoveries through using modern technology. It's packed with lots of information and covers all the known pyramids up to the time of printing of the book. It's defiantly worth the money.

Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the pyramids were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


The Complete Picture, 08 Feb 2006
This has got to be one of the reference books you have in your rucksack when you visit any of the pyramids. I would actually rate this book as “best value” for the wide spectrum of information, photographs and diagrams at your disposal. If you are on a budget or need a starter book this is the one to go for; read it and move on from there.

Mark Lehner has hit the right spot with me with this cracking all round winner. I particularly like the format of “The Complete…” series such as Complete Valley of the Kings and The Complete Tutankhamum because the sections are almost stand alone and allow you to drop in and out at your leisure. This one really is a stormer with approximately 550 illustrations with about 80 in colour.

Mark Lehner was a proponent of alternative theories and was inspired by the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce. However, Mark found out that linking Atlantis to the Pyramids did not stand up to scientific scrutiny but continued his work with a new found scientific method and joined the ranks of mainstream Egyptologists. The rest is history because this book is written by an accepted academic but readable. I would strongly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy alternative theories regarding the pyramids. You can use this book to form a baseline of generally established facts before accepting the latest interpretation without a point of reference. At the end of the day you are still the judge but at least you have compared it work that has generally undergone peer review.

There book has five main sections: Introduction, Tomb and Temple, Explorers and Scientists, The Whole Pyramid Catalogue and The Living Pyramid. The introduction is a short section providing an overview of pyramid statistics, chronology of Pyramid builders, locations, pyramid profiles and standard pyramid complex.

Tomb and Temple is relatively short and introduces Ka, Ba, burial rituals, the netherworld, pyramid texts, akhet, duat and ben ben stone. This is a brief but sound trip into the myths and rituals of the underworld.

Explorers and Scientists is a relatively short summary of the famous names such as: Herodotus, Manetho, al-Mamum, Abd al-Latif, John Greaves, Benoit de Maillet, Pococke & Norden, Davidson, Napoleon, Belzoni, Caviglia, Vyse, Lepsius, Mariette, Petrie, Symth, Reisner, Borchardt, Emery, Lauer, Firth, and Quibell. A detailed breakdown of recent explorations 1887-1997 is provided along with a summary of recent discoveries.

The Whole Pyramid Catalogue is the largest section in the book and this is where the book opens up in front of you, literally. Some pages are folded back on themselves in order to allow the reader to unfold a four page panoramic view and better experience visually the author’s viewpoints. A combination of maps, line drawings and photographs provides the budding explorer with an armchair experience of the pyramids. From the pictures and diagrams the reader should be better able to construct a minds-eye 3-D image of the major pyramids and have a feel for the layout of passages and chambers.

The living Pyramid explores the possible methods by which the pyramids may have been built, but with emphasis on objective evidence such as tomb relief’s, ramps, ancient tools and NOVA experiments. There is a guidance section offering advise on visiting the pyramids to help the researcher or tourist optimise there time in Giza, Saqqara, Abusir and Meidum. In the closing pages of the book there is an excellent guide to further reading and references to the sources, quotations and illustrations used throughout the book.

The best layman's guide to the pyramids EVER, 06 Jul 1999
Whether your interest in the pyramids is historical, archaeological or esoteric, this has to be the best book available. It's very well written by an author who really knows his subject, and it systematically covers all the pyramid monuments of Egypt. Although the text is scholarly it's also very readable, and each pyramid is covered in a separate section so it's easy to look up a particular pyramid or dip into the book at random. Most importantly, however, it is fabulously illustrated, not just with superb colour photographs but with diagrams and computer reconstructions. For every pyramid there is a map showing its location, and detailed plans and cross sections showing the complete structure and substructure with all the tunnels, shafts and chambers. The book manages to strike a perfect balance between presenting factual detail and stimulating your imagination, and is the next best thing to an actual visit to Egypt. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the temples in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it. :-)

It's an excellent book for discovering about the temples and it has some fantastic photographs. It's defiantly worth the money. Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the temples were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


Well written and illustrated, 16 Jan 2007
Generally, the problem with Egyptology for the starter is that there is little about the Temples that you can visit. There is a great deal about the pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Philae, but little about the purpose and reason for their existence.
Here in one boomis all the known temples, there origins and development.One of the key points about any Egyptian temple: tye were livinbg organisms, forever changing and deverlping, yet the same.
They all have the same items, and usually in the samer place. Here you will find out why tere is a Birth Room, but no one was ever born in the Temple. Where the last hieorglyohic inscription was made.
Well worth the buy, get it if your going to Egypt and want to know more about what you are seeing then is easily found in the average guide.

A must have book for your Egyption collection!, 11 Apr 2001
This book follows the excellent previous titles in the series, well laid out and easy to read. A most valuable reference tool that fills the gap in the market. It gives an excellent insight into the progression of Egyptian buildings over the ceturies. References to interesting facts of the alinments of the temples and how they have changed with the specific movement of steller bodies such as Sirius and the Sun. As I said earlier a must have book, well worth twice the selling price. Richie Wells

Suspicion naturally arises when one reads a promo line on a back cover that says, "This is the most important book concerning the Great Pyramid written in the last 20 years". In this case, however, it may be fact. In writing The Giza Power Plant, mechanical engineer Christopher Dunn reverse-engineered the Great Pyramid at Giza to discover its use. His startling conclusions blow the heck out of traditional Eygptology's rather silly notions that it was built with copper tools by a society that lacked the wheel. While revisionist pyramid studies are rife with ridiculous theories that give the topic a bad name, The Giza Power Plant takes into account existing fact and artefact without having to rely on unprovable assertion to work. A must-read for truth seekers who aren't afraid to think outside the box and are willing to consider the idea that Western culture of the 21st century may not be the pinnacle of human evolution and achievement. --P Randall Cohan

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Buildin's, 31 Dec 2008
Mr. Lehner gives us a book, with a mass of technical detail, about the greatest, and most enduring, structures ever built by man. And he is no pyramidiot, givng unprovable but fascinating theories, unlike some other modern authors.
There are maps and illustrations and descriptions of all the major pyramids. The construction details are set out in a logical and easily followed chronological progression. And the whole thing is lightened with the occasionial touch of humour, e.g. one of the gangs engaged in the construction of the Pyramid of Men-Kau-Re is defined as the "Drunkards of M.", - as they called themselves. A book well worth buying, both for the casual reader and the serious student.

The Most Comprehensive Book I Have Read on the Subject, 23 Jan 2008

The author Mark Lehner has written or contributed to a number of historical books, several of them on Egyptian history and this I think is the best of them all. The pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the world and still are one of the world's wonders, although far removed from the glorious sight that they must have been in ancient times.

It is probably true to say that more has been written about the pyramids than any other man made structure on earth and that includes the Great Wall of China and our own Stonehenge. Much of what has been written about the pyramids has been conjecture and to put it kindly stretching the truth to make a good story. The author himself is no stranger to putting forward theories of his own regarding the pyramids and it is up to the reader's how much credence they place in these and other theories. What we do know is that the pyramids were built to precise measurements, so accurate in fact that even today with all the modern building equipment at our disposal we would struggle to emulate the ancient builders. They were also aligned in a particular direction and calculations of where exactly the stars appeared in the Egyptian night sky at the time of their construction, could suggest that at least one of their uses was astronomical

This book quite rightly concentrates on the main Egyptian pyramids and the sphinx and covers all the latest data formulated by today's archaeologists and scientists. This includes how the pyramids were thought to have been built, a Herculean task in itself. Also there are exciting computer generated images of the inside of the pyramids, in fact just about every question you could ask is answered for you in this superb book, even down to a guide for visiting the pyramids themselves.


Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it.:-)

It's an excellent book for discovering the pyramids and has some fantastic photographs. It's brings you up to date with the latest discoveries through using modern technology. It's packed with lots of information and covers all the known pyramids up to the time of printing of the book. It's defiantly worth the money.

Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the pyramids were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


The Complete Picture, 08 Feb 2006
This has got to be one of the reference books you have in your rucksack when you visit any of the pyramids. I would actually rate this book as “best value” for the wide spectrum of information, photographs and diagrams at your disposal. If you are on a budget or need a starter book this is the one to go for; read it and move on from there.

Mark Lehner has hit the right spot with me with this cracking all round winner. I particularly like the format of “The Complete…” series such as Complete Valley of the Kings and The Complete Tutankhamum because the sections are almost stand alone and allow you to drop in and out at your leisure. This one really is a stormer with approximately 550 illustrations with about 80 in colour.

Mark Lehner was a proponent of alternative theories and was inspired by the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce. However, Mark found out that linking Atlantis to the Pyramids did not stand up to scientific scrutiny but continued his work with a new found scientific method and joined the ranks of mainstream Egyptologists. The rest is history because this book is written by an accepted academic but readable. I would strongly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy alternative theories regarding the pyramids. You can use this book to form a baseline of generally established facts before accepting the latest interpretation without a point of reference. At the end of the day you are still the judge but at least you have compared it work that has generally undergone peer review.

There book has five main sections: Introduction, Tomb and Temple, Explorers and Scientists, The Whole Pyramid Catalogue and The Living Pyramid. The introduction is a short section providing an overview of pyramid statistics, chronology of Pyramid builders, locations, pyramid profiles and standard pyramid complex.

Tomb and Temple is relatively short and introduces Ka, Ba, burial rituals, the netherworld, pyramid texts, akhet, duat and ben ben stone. This is a brief but sound trip into the myths and rituals of the underworld.

Explorers and Scientists is a relatively short summary of the famous names such as: Herodotus, Manetho, al-Mamum, Abd al-Latif, John Greaves, Benoit de Maillet, Pococke & Norden, Davidson, Napoleon, Belzoni, Caviglia, Vyse, Lepsius, Mariette, Petrie, Symth, Reisner, Borchardt, Emery, Lauer, Firth, and Quibell. A detailed breakdown of recent explorations 1887-1997 is provided along with a summary of recent discoveries.

The Whole Pyramid Catalogue is the largest section in the book and this is where the book opens up in front of you, literally. Some pages are folded back on themselves in order to allow the reader to unfold a four page panoramic view and better experience visually the author’s viewpoints. A combination of maps, line drawings and photographs provides the budding explorer with an armchair experience of the pyramids. From the pictures and diagrams the reader should be better able to construct a minds-eye 3-D image of the major pyramids and have a feel for the layout of passages and chambers.

The living Pyramid explores the possible methods by which the pyramids may have been built, but with emphasis on objective evidence such as tomb relief’s, ramps, ancient tools and NOVA experiments. There is a guidance section offering advise on visiting the pyramids to help the researcher or tourist optimise there time in Giza, Saqqara, Abusir and Meidum. In the closing pages of the book there is an excellent guide to further reading and references to the sources, quotations and illustrations used throughout the book.

The best layman's guide to the pyramids EVER, 06 Jul 1999
Whether your interest in the pyramids is historical, archaeological or esoteric, this has to be the best book available. It's very well written by an author who really knows his subject, and it systematically covers all the pyramid monuments of Egypt. Although the text is scholarly it's also very readable, and each pyramid is covered in a separate section so it's easy to look up a particular pyramid or dip into the book at random. Most importantly, however, it is fabulously illustrated, not just with superb colour photographs but with diagrams and computer reconstructions. For every pyramid there is a map showing its location, and detailed plans and cross sections showing the complete structure and substructure with all the tunnels, shafts and chambers. The book manages to strike a perfect balance between presenting factual detail and stimulating your imagination, and is the next best thing to an actual visit to Egypt. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the temples in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it. :-)

It's an excellent book for discovering about the temples and it has some fantastic photographs. It's defiantly worth the money. Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the temples were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


Well written and illustrated, 16 Jan 2007
Generally, the problem with Egyptology for the starter is that there is little about the Temples that you can visit. There is a great deal about the pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Philae, but little about the purpose and reason for their existence.
Here in one boomis all the known temples, there origins and development.One of the key points about any Egyptian temple: tye were livinbg organisms, forever changing and deverlping, yet the same.
They all have the same items, and usually in the samer place. Here you will find out why tere is a Birth Room, but no one was ever born in the Temple. Where the last hieorglyohic inscription was made.
Well worth the buy, get it if your going to Egypt and want to know more about what you are seeing then is easily found in the average guide.

A must have book for your Egyption collection!, 11 Apr 2001
This book follows the excellent previous titles in the series, well laid out and easy to read. A most valuable reference tool that fills the gap in the market. It gives an excellent insight into the progression of Egyptian buildings over the ceturies. References to interesting facts of the alinments of the temples and how they have changed with the specific movement of steller bodies such as Sirius and the Sun. As I said earlier a must have book, well worth twice the selling price. Richie Wells

How can any other giza theory be seriously considered after reading this?, 05 Jan 2009
Incredible! At first it sounds an almost silly proposition - that the Pyramids were powerplants. But once you've read (and understood) this book I guarantee you'll struggle to see them as having served as tombs for past Kings. Christopher Dunn makes a prediction in his book - which I will not spoil here - but suffice to say in the years since being published this prediction has been found as fact - noted in an article on his website.

The book is quite technical - a lot of dimensions and comments are used as recorded by Flinders Petrie who was apparently one of the very few people to record much of the Pyramids from a technical and highly-observant perspective.

I know this isn't the most detailed of reviews, but all in all if you're in any doubt about this book (as I was) - buy it, read it, and just see what you think afterwards! I'm sure you won't look back!

It's just a shame those Egytian Scholarly Archaeologist types don't open their eyes once in a while...

Excellent Scientific Theory, 18 Sep 2008
This book was published in 1998, but I still go back to it again and again. Christopher Dunn has written a well-researched and fascinating study of the Pyramids, and comes up with a highly convincing argument that the buildings were power generators of some kind.

These buildings remain a mystery, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in an enigma. "Orthodox Egyptologists" hold fast to their view that these were tombs for the Pharaohs, but many of the buildings' features are baffling, and simply do not fit with this theory.

It's evident right from the outset that the author is no fool, and he presents his arguments in persuasive fashion. His ideas are by no means idle speculation - he has spent many years studying the Pyramids, and puts his engineering knowledge to good use in the process.

Mr Dunn has found that the tolerances achieved by the Pyramid builders can only be found in modern machine shops, and certainly not on our present-day building sites. To move some of the largest blocks today would involve a specialised crane. Where there is evidence of drilling at Giza, he has found that the techniques in cutting through quartz, for example, are on a par with modern-day ultrasonic methods. Bearing in mind that the ancient Egyptians, as far as we can tell, possessed neither wheels nor pulleys, this is incredible, but Mr Dunn has examined the physical evidence and seems to have come up with convincing proof. He goes into the theories of vibration and compression, which, quite honestly, go over my head, but I'm sure an engineer of comparable knowledge and experience could appreciate and verify what Christopher Dunn is saying.

The author by no means dismisses other theories as to how the huge blocks were raised. He devotes a chapter to the mysterious Edward Leedskalnin, who claimed to have solved the secret of levitation, but went to his grave without divulging his secret. He also touches on the studies of a French chemist named Joseph Davidovits, who analysed samples of Pyramid stone, and found evidence of man-made materials. Davidovits concluded that the huge blocks must have been cast on the spot using moulds - an intriguing idea, but no moulds have ever been found. Dunn, however, does not discount the idea that sophisticated techniques were used in the creation of the materials from which the blocks were made.

It is well-known, through the use of seismic equipment, that hitherto undiscovered passages exist in and around the Pyramids, and this, together with the discovery of unexplained chemical residues, leads the author to his conclusions that some sort of fuel was being created and passed through the various shafts and tunnels. The unique acoustical properties of the buildings must have had some practical purpose, and the author reasons that some kind of microwave power was being generated.

On the subject of pictorial evidence, the author points to some of the mysterious wall carvings in the Giza area, which bear an uncanny resemblance to a modern electrical device known as a Crookes Tube. There also appear to be cables of some description.

Many people would laugh at all the above and say, "well, they couldn't have had electricity or microwaves 5,000 years ago", but the author keeps an open mind. Many "orthodox" scientists today seem to show a certain arrogance in assuming that our discoveries are unique and couldn't possibly have been found before. Mr Dunn believes that certain advanced technologies were known to some ancient civilisations but were lost at some stage.

Providing the reader keeps an open mind and doesn't suffer from any prejudice whereby he or she thinks that ancient civilisations could only have created their magnificent buildings using thousands of slaves hauling on ropes, this book is a riveting read, and I'd recommend it to anyone, whether layman or expert, who is curious about ancient Egypt and questions "orthodox opinion" on the subject.
















Very interesting - a fantastic read for everyone, 20 Jun 2008
A great interpretation of the information available on the great pyramid. Mr Dunn has taken all of the information that has been presented to him and can slot it neatly into his theory.
It is obvious that a huge amount of research and investation has been carried out and I commend the author for this. The subject matter is very in depth for the lay reader, yet I found myself being able to grasp all of the concepts described in the book thanks to Christopher Dunn's enthusiasm and passion for explaining in clear terms.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it gave me many hours of reflection on the possibilities that are suggested.

I was also very impressed with Christopher Dunn's respect for the traditional interpretations of the great pyramid. He points out the obvious shortfalls in the Egyptologists theories, yet challenges the reader to decide on their own conclusion. Whether you are open minded enough to accept Christophers theory, or find the traditional explanations more plausable, you will be challenged and enlightened by this book without feeling that the author is forcing his ideas down your throat.

My own opinion ater reading this is......I want to read more on this fascinating subject.



Time for a paradigm shift !, 29 Mar 2008
The outlook of an aeronautics engineer on the Great Pyramid. The theory is complete and coherent, much more than any other previously proposed. All the features of the building fit in and make sense: the three chambers, the well shaft, the so-called "relieving chambers" which relieve nothing, the so-called "air shafts" which don't reach the outside, the antechamber and its puzzling portcullis system. The use of advanced machinery for the construction is made obvious by the thorough examination of several parts of the pyramid and their high level of precision, along with other artefacts in the Serapeum and the Cairo museum. The system advanced for generating energy is based on the research of specialists in several fields including Nikola Tesla, another engineer who was ahead of his time. Modern egyptology was born in the 19th century when no one could even imagine such thing as a power plant. Today the Egyptologists reluctantly admit there is no evidence that any original burying ever took place in a pyramid. It is time for a paradigm shift and "The Giza Power Plant" might be an significant part of the process.

Visit the Great Pyramid......., 27 Jun 2007
I ordered this book as I was curious about the author's analysis and view of this amazing construction. I have been in the Great Pyramid, where I was fortunate in having access at dawn (before the site officially opened, so very still and quiet), and my sojourn in the King's Chamber was one of the most awesome, intense and incredible experiences of my life, an experience which I still reflect on. So subjectively & gut-feeling wise, this book is on to something!

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Buildin's, 31 Dec 2008
Mr. Lehner gives us a book, with a mass of technical detail, about the greatest, and most enduring, structures ever built by man. And he is no pyramidiot, givng unprovable but fascinating theories, unlike some other modern authors.
There are maps and illustrations and descriptions of all the major pyramids. The construction details are set out in a logical and easily followed chronological progression. And the whole thing is lightened with the occasionial touch of humour, e.g. one of the gangs engaged in the construction of the Pyramid of Men-Kau-Re is defined as the "Drunkards of M.", - as they called themselves. A book well worth buying, both for the casual reader and the serious student.

The Most Comprehensive Book I Have Read on the Subject, 23 Jan 2008

The author Mark Lehner has written or contributed to a number of historical books, several of them on Egyptian history and this I think is the best of them all. The pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the world and still are one of the world's wonders, although far removed from the glorious sight that they must have been in ancient times.

It is probably true to say that more has been written about the pyramids than any other man made structure on earth and that includes the Great Wall of China and our own Stonehenge. Much of what has been written about the pyramids has been conjecture and to put it kindly stretching the truth to make a good story. The author himself is no stranger to putting forward theories of his own regarding the pyramids and it is up to the reader's how much credence they place in these and other theories. What we do know is that the pyramids were built to precise measurements, so accurate in fact that even today with all the modern building equipment at our disposal we would struggle to emulate the ancient builders. They were also aligned in a particular direction and calculations of where exactly the stars appeared in the Egyptian night sky at the time of their construction, could suggest that at least one of their uses was astronomical

This book quite rightly concentrates on the main Egyptian pyramids and the sphinx and covers all the latest data formulated by today's archaeologists and scientists. This includes how the pyramids were thought to have been built, a Herculean task in itself. Also there are exciting computer generated images of the inside of the pyramids, in fact just about every question you could ask is answered for you in this superb book, even down to a guide for visiting the pyramids themselves.


Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it.:-)

It's an excellent book for discovering the pyramids and has some fantastic photographs. It's brings you up to date with the latest discoveries through using modern technology. It's packed with lots of information and covers all the known pyramids up to the time of printing of the book. It's defiantly worth the money.

Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the pyramids were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


The Complete Picture, 08 Feb 2006
This has got to be one of the reference books you have in your rucksack when you visit any of the pyramids. I would actually rate this book as “best value” for the wide spectrum of information, photographs and diagrams at your disposal. If you are on a budget or need a starter book this is the one to go for; read it and move on from there.

Mark Lehner has hit the right spot with me with this cracking all round winner. I particularly like the format of “The Complete…” series such as Complete Valley of the Kings and The Complete Tutankhamum because the sections are almost stand alone and allow you to drop in and out at your leisure. This one really is a stormer with approximately 550 illustrations with about 80 in colour.

Mark Lehner was a proponent of alternative theories and was inspired by the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce. However, Mark found out that linking Atlantis to the Pyramids did not stand up to scientific scrutiny but continued his work with a new found scientific method and joined the ranks of mainstream Egyptologists. The rest is history because this book is written by an accepted academic but readable. I would strongly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy alternative theories regarding the pyramids. You can use this book to form a baseline of generally established facts before accepting the latest interpretation without a point of reference. At the end of the day you are still the judge but at least you have compared it work that has generally undergone peer review.

There book has five main sections: Introduction, Tomb and Temple, Explorers and Scientists, The Whole Pyramid Catalogue and The Living Pyramid. The introduction is a short section providing an overview of pyramid statistics, chronology of Pyramid builders, locations, pyramid profiles and standard pyramid complex.

Tomb and Temple is relatively short and introduces Ka, Ba, burial rituals, the netherworld, pyramid texts, akhet, duat and ben ben stone. This is a brief but sound trip into the myths and rituals of the underworld.

Explorers and Scientists is a relatively short summary of the famous names such as: Herodotus, Manetho, al-Mamum, Abd al-Latif, John Greaves, Benoit de Maillet, Pococke & Norden, Davidson, Napoleon, Belzoni, Caviglia, Vyse, Lepsius, Mariette, Petrie, Symth, Reisner, Borchardt, Emery, Lauer, Firth, and Quibell. A detailed breakdown of recent explorations 1887-1997 is provided along with a summary of recent discoveries.

The Whole Pyramid Catalogue is the largest section in the book and this is where the book opens up in front of you, literally. Some pages are folded back on themselves in order to allow the reader to unfold a four page panoramic view and better experience visually the author’s viewpoints. A combination of maps, line drawings and photographs provides the budding explorer with an armchair experience of the pyramids. From the pictures and diagrams the reader should be better able to construct a minds-eye 3-D image of the major pyramids and have a feel for the layout of passages and chambers.

The living Pyramid explores the possible methods by which the pyramids may have been built, but with emphasis on objective evidence such as tomb relief’s, ramps, ancient tools and NOVA experiments. There is a guidance section offering advise on visiting the pyramids to help the researcher or tourist optimise there time in Giza, Saqqara, Abusir and Meidum. In the closing pages of the book there is an excellent guide to further reading and references to the sources, quotations and illustrations used throughout the book.

The best layman's guide to the pyramids EVER, 06 Jul 1999
Whether your interest in the pyramids is historical, archaeological or esoteric, this has to be the best book available. It's very well written by an author who really knows his subject, and it systematically covers all the pyramid monuments of Egypt. Although the text is scholarly it's also very readable, and each pyramid is covered in a separate section so it's easy to look up a particular pyramid or dip into the book at random. Most importantly, however, it is fabulously illustrated, not just with superb colour photographs but with diagrams and computer reconstructions. For every pyramid there is a map showing its location, and detailed plans and cross sections showing the complete structure and substructure with all the tunnels, shafts and chambers. The book manages to strike a perfect balance between presenting factual detail and stimulating your imagination, and is the next best thing to an actual visit to Egypt. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the temples in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it. :-)

It's an excellent book for discovering about the temples and it has some fantastic photographs. It's defiantly worth the money. Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the temples were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


Well written and illustrated, 16 Jan 2007
Generally, the problem with Egyptology for the starter is that there is little about the Temples that you can visit. There is a great deal about the pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Philae, but little about the purpose and reason for their existence.
Here in one boomis all the known temples, there origins and development.One of the key points about any Egyptian temple: tye were livinbg organisms, forever changing and deverlping, yet the same.
They all have the same items, and usually in the samer place. Here you will find out why tere is a Birth Room, but no one was ever born in the Temple. Where the last hieorglyohic inscription was made.
Well worth the buy, get it if your going to Egypt and want to know more about what you are seeing then is easily found in the average guide.

A must have book for your Egyption collection!, 11 Apr 2001
This book follows the excellent previous titles in the series, well laid out and easy to read. A most valuable reference tool that fills the gap in the market. It gives an excellent insight into the progression of Egyptian buildings over the ceturies. References to interesting facts of the alinments of the temples and how they have changed with the specific movement of steller bodies such as Sirius and the Sun. As I said earlier a must have book, well worth twice the selling price. Richie Wells

How can any other giza theory be seriously considered after reading this?, 05 Jan 2009
Incredible! At first it sounds an almost silly proposition - that the Pyramids were powerplants. But once you've read (and understood) this book I guarantee you'll struggle to see them as having served as tombs for past Kings. Christopher Dunn makes a prediction in his book - which I will not spoil here - but suffice to say in the years since being published this prediction has been found as fact - noted in an article on his website.

The book is quite technical - a lot of dimensions and comments are used as recorded by Flinders Petrie who was apparently one of the very few people to record much of the Pyramids from a technical and highly-observant perspective.

I know this isn't the most detailed of reviews, but all in all if you're in any doubt about this book (as I was) - buy it, read it, and just see what you think afterwards! I'm sure you won't look back!

It's just a shame those Egytian Scholarly Archaeologist types don't open their eyes once in a while...

Excellent Scientific Theory, 18 Sep 2008
This book was published in 1998, but I still go back to it again and again. Christopher Dunn has written a well-researched and fascinating study of the Pyramids, and comes up with a highly convincing argument that the buildings were power generators of some kind.

These buildings remain a mystery, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in an enigma. "Orthodox Egyptologists" hold fast to their view that these were tombs for the Pharaohs, but many of the buildings' features are baffling, and simply do not fit with this theory.

It's evident right from the outset that the author is no fool, and he presents his arguments in persuasive fashion. His ideas are by no means idle speculation - he has spent many years studying the Pyramids, and puts his engineering knowledge to good use in the process.

Mr Dunn has found that the tolerances achieved by the Pyramid builders can only be found in modern machine shops, and certainly not on our present-day building sites. To move some of the largest blocks today would involve a specialised crane. Where there is evidence of drilling at Giza, he has found that the techniques in cutting through quartz, for example, are on a par with modern-day ultrasonic methods. Bearing in mind that the ancient Egyptians, as far as we can tell, possessed neither wheels nor pulleys, this is incredible, but Mr Dunn has examined the physical evidence and seems to have come up with convincing proof. He goes into the theories of vibration and compression, which, quite honestly, go over my head, but I'm sure an engineer of comparable knowledge and experience could appreciate and verify what Christopher Dunn is saying.

The author by no means dismisses other theories as to how the huge blocks were raised. He devotes a chapter to the mysterious Edward Leedskalnin, who claimed to have solved the secret of levitation, but went to his grave without divulging his secret. He also touches on the studies of a French chemist named Joseph Davidovits, who analysed samples of Pyramid stone, and found evidence of man-made materials. Davidovits concluded that the huge blocks must have been cast on the spot using moulds - an intriguing idea, but no moulds have ever been found. Dunn, however, does not discount the idea that sophisticated techniques were used in the creation of the materials from which the blocks were made.

It is well-known, through the use of seismic equipment, that hitherto undiscovered passages exist in and around the Pyramids, and this, together with the discovery of unexplained chemical residues, leads the author to his conclusions that some sort of fuel was being created and passed through the various shafts and tunnels. The unique acoustical properties of the buildings must have had some practical purpose, and the author reasons that some kind of microwave power was being generated.

On the subject of pictorial evidence, the author points to some of the mysterious wall carvings in the Giza area, which bear an uncanny resemblance to a modern electrical device known as a Crookes Tube. There also appear to be cables of some description.

Many people would laugh at all the above and say, "well, they couldn't have had electricity or microwaves 5,000 years ago", but the author keeps an open mind. Many "orthodox" scientists today seem to show a certain arrogance in assuming that our discoveries are unique and couldn't possibly have been found before. Mr Dunn believes that certain advanced technologies were known to some ancient civilisations but were lost at some stage.

Providing the reader keeps an open mind and doesn't suffer from any prejudice whereby he or she thinks that ancient civilisations could only have created their magnificent buildings using thousands of slaves hauling on ropes, this book is a riveting read, and I'd recommend it to anyone, whether layman or expert, who is curious about ancient Egypt and questions "orthodox opinion" on the subject.
















Very interesting - a fantastic read for everyone, 20 Jun 2008
A great interpretation of the information available on the great pyramid. Mr Dunn has taken all of the information that has been presented to him and can slot it neatly into his theory.
It is obvious that a huge amount of research and investation has been carried out and I commend the author for this. The subject matter is very in depth for the lay reader, yet I found myself being able to grasp all of the concepts described in the book thanks to Christopher Dunn's enthusiasm and passion for explaining in clear terms.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it gave me many hours of reflection on the possibilities that are suggested.

I was also very impressed with Christopher Dunn's respect for the traditional interpretations of the great pyramid. He points out the obvious shortfalls in the Egyptologists theories, yet challenges the reader to decide on their own conclusion. Whether you are open minded enough to accept Christophers theory, or find the traditional explanations more plausable, you will be challenged and enlightened by this book without feeling that the author is forcing his ideas down your throat.

My own opinion ater reading this is......I want to read more on this fascinating subject.



Time for a paradigm shift !, 29 Mar 2008
The outlook of an aeronautics engineer on the Great Pyramid. The theory is complete and coherent, much more than any other previously proposed. All the features of the building fit in and make sense: the three chambers, the well shaft, the so-called "relieving chambers" which relieve nothing, the so-called "air shafts" which don't reach the outside, the antechamber and its puzzling portcullis system. The use of advanced machinery for the construction is made obvious by the thorough examination of several parts of the pyramid and their high level of precision, along with other artefacts in the Serapeum and the Cairo museum. The system advanced for generating energy is based on the research of specialists in several fields including Nikola Tesla, another engineer who was ahead of his time. Modern egyptology was born in the 19th century when no one could even imagine such thing as a power plant. Today the Egyptologists reluctantly admit there is no evidence that any original burying ever took place in a pyramid. It is time for a paradigm shift and "The Giza Power Plant" might be an significant part of the process.

Visit the Great Pyramid......., 27 Jun 2007
I ordered this book as I was curious about the author's analysis and view of this amazing construction. I have been in the Great Pyramid, where I was fortunate in having access at dawn (before the site officially opened, so very still and quiet), and my sojourn in the King's Chamber was one of the most awesome, intense and incredible experiences of my life, an experience which I still reflect on. So subjectively & gut-feeling wise, this book is on to something!

Fantastic Read, Very Informative , 20 Nov 2008
I fantastic read, covers lots of aspects of different ancient civilisations and possible technology that they had. Brings up lots of questions as to how the pyramids were really constructed right through to the discovery of large portions of desert covered in a sheet of glass, possibly created from atomic blasts thousands of years ago.
Overall a very well written book and keeps the reader interested throughout. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in ancient history

A good summary of many researches, 03 Oct 2000
This book is a good summary of many researches done before Mr Childress wrote the book. In particular, the chapter on Giza power plant was a good summary of Mr Dunn's book.

As a whole, the book is refreshing and proves that technology of high sophistication existed before, or rather have been in existence for longer than our conventional views of history permit us.

Depends on how you look at it, this book can be taken as support for theory of Atlantis, Sitchin's idea of the Annunakis or even Daniken's Chariots of the Gods.

On the whole, great stuff, and an eye opener!

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Best guide to the Valley, 05 Nov 2002
I have been to the Valley of the Kings now about 15-20 times, and for me it is still one of the most powerful and impressive places in the world. When you consider that some of the most powerful men and women were buried here, in a short period, it leaves you in awe.
Previous to reading this book, I had used the John Rohmer book, Valley of the Kings. This is also a good book, but it is not a guide, it is more a historic introduction to the Valley.
For anyone with not a great knowledge of Luxor or ancient Egypt, this is the perfect guide. It assumes no previous knowledge of the history of the area, and explains it well.
The maps and plans are usful, as they can give you an idea of what is there.

THE COMPLETE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER, 21 May 2002
Nicholas and Richard have come up trumps yet again. This dynamic duo has put together a superb piece of work that acts as your passport to "The Valley". With this book in your hands you can almost be there and certainly take in fact after fact without heat, flies and sand. However, for anybody visiting The Valley this has got to be in your rucksack as an aide memoire while you seek out the tombs, burial pits and much more. These well-seasoned writers (Nicholas has written a similar book in this series, The Complete Tutankhamun and Richard the Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt) provide plans of tombs, photographs and have gone into fine detail. For those of you who need a reference work I suggest you take a look, I did and I am very happy thank you. This masterpiece has plenty of detail on the finds in each tomb with oodles of background information. The authors also provide you with guidance on which tombs to visit if you have time constraints. For those of you who like to hear and see another point of view, consider reading 'Guide to the Valley of the Kings' by Alberto Siliotti. Alberto captures the bigger picture with a touch more visual emphasis on tomb layout and wall detail. Both of these books are excellent and I would find it difficult to choose one over the other and resulted in my obtaining both!

No Egyptology bookshelf should be without it..., 08 Sep 2000
Any book by Nicholas Reeves is worth reading, and a book by Nicholas Reeves on the Valley of the Kings is a treat indeed.

This is a wonderfully-illustrated, updated and more accessible version of Reeves' hard-to-find, hard-to-read and hard-to-afford Valley of the Kings: Decline of a Royal Necropolis. In other words, it's the only book you'll ever need on the Valley of the Kings in general.

This book fully delivers on it's titled promise of being complete - every aspect of the Valley and its tombs is covered, and if there's something missing here, I can't find it.

Packed with maps, illustrations and photographs, this book is as much a joy to look at as it is to read. Nicholas Reeves has a real passion for the Valley of the Kings and had produced a brilliant and detailed work on its history, excavation, tombs and abandonment.

Read it from cover to cover, use it as a (reliable) reference work, dip into it from time to time...however you use this book, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion this is one of the very best generally-available books on Ancient Egypt at the moment.

Buildin's, 31 Dec 2008
Mr. Lehner gives us a book, with a mass of technical detail, about the greatest, and most enduring, structures ever built by man. And he is no pyramidiot, givng unprovable but fascinating theories, unlike some other modern authors.
There are maps and illustrations and descriptions of all the major pyramids. The construction details are set out in a logical and easily followed chronological progression. And the whole thing is lightened with the occasionial touch of humour, e.g. one of the gangs engaged in the construction of the Pyramid of Men-Kau-Re is defined as the "Drunkards of M.", - as they called themselves. A book well worth buying, both for the casual reader and the serious student.

The Most Comprehensive Book I Have Read on the Subject, 23 Jan 2008

The author Mark Lehner has written or contributed to a number of historical books, several of them on Egyptian history and this I think is the best of them all. The pyramids were one of the seven wonders of the world and still are one of the world's wonders, although far removed from the glorious sight that they must have been in ancient times.

It is probably true to say that more has been written about the pyramids than any other man made structure on earth and that includes the Great Wall of China and our own Stonehenge. Much of what has been written about the pyramids has been conjecture and to put it kindly stretching the truth to make a good story. The author himself is no stranger to putting forward theories of his own regarding the pyramids and it is up to the reader's how much credence they place in these and other theories. What we do know is that the pyramids were built to precise measurements, so accurate in fact that even today with all the modern building equipment at our disposal we would struggle to emulate the ancient builders. They were also aligned in a particular direction and calculations of where exactly the stars appeared in the Egyptian night sky at the time of their construction, could suggest that at least one of their uses was astronomical

This book quite rightly concentrates on the main Egyptian pyramids and the sphinx and covers all the latest data formulated by today's archaeologists and scientists. This includes how the pyramids were thought to have been built, a Herculean task in itself. Also there are exciting computer generated images of the inside of the pyramids, in fact just about every question you could ask is answered for you in this superb book, even down to a guide for visiting the pyramids themselves.


Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it.:-)

It's an excellent book for discovering the pyramids and has some fantastic photographs. It's brings you up to date with the latest discoveries through using modern technology. It's packed with lots of information and covers all the known pyramids up to the time of printing of the book. It's defiantly worth the money.

Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the pyramids were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


The Complete Picture, 08 Feb 2006
This has got to be one of the reference books you have in your rucksack when you visit any of the pyramids. I would actually rate this book as “best value” for the wide spectrum of information, photographs and diagrams at your disposal. If you are on a budget or need a starter book this is the one to go for; read it and move on from there.

Mark Lehner has hit the right spot with me with this cracking all round winner. I particularly like the format of “The Complete…” series such as Complete Valley of the Kings and The Complete Tutankhamum because the sections are almost stand alone and allow you to drop in and out at your leisure. This one really is a stormer with approximately 550 illustrations with about 80 in colour.

Mark Lehner was a proponent of alternative theories and was inspired by the sleeping prophet Edgar Cayce. However, Mark found out that linking Atlantis to the Pyramids did not stand up to scientific scrutiny but continued his work with a new found scientific method and joined the ranks of mainstream Egyptologists. The rest is history because this book is written by an accepted academic but readable. I would strongly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy alternative theories regarding the pyramids. You can use this book to form a baseline of generally established facts before accepting the latest interpretation without a point of reference. At the end of the day you are still the judge but at least you have compared it work that has generally undergone peer review.

There book has five main sections: Introduction, Tomb and Temple, Explorers and Scientists, The Whole Pyramid Catalogue and The Living Pyramid. The introduction is a short section providing an overview of pyramid statistics, chronology of Pyramid builders, locations, pyramid profiles and standard pyramid complex.

Tomb and Temple is relatively short and introduces Ka, Ba, burial rituals, the netherworld, pyramid texts, akhet, duat and ben ben stone. This is a brief but sound trip into the myths and rituals of the underworld.

Explorers and Scientists is a relatively short summary of the famous names such as: Herodotus, Manetho, al-Mamum, Abd al-Latif, John Greaves, Benoit de Maillet, Pococke & Norden, Davidson, Napoleon, Belzoni, Caviglia, Vyse, Lepsius, Mariette, Petrie, Symth, Reisner, Borchardt, Emery, Lauer, Firth, and Quibell. A detailed breakdown of recent explorations 1887-1997 is provided along with a summary of recent discoveries.

The Whole Pyramid Catalogue is the largest section in the book and this is where the book opens up in front of you, literally. Some pages are folded back on themselves in order to allow the reader to unfold a four page panoramic view and better experience visually the author’s viewpoints. A combination of maps, line drawings and photographs provides the budding explorer with an armchair experience of the pyramids. From the pictures and diagrams the reader should be better able to construct a minds-eye 3-D image of the major pyramids and have a feel for the layout of passages and chambers.

The living Pyramid explores the possible methods by which the pyramids may have been built, but with emphasis on objective evidence such as tomb relief’s, ramps, ancient tools and NOVA experiments. There is a guidance section offering advise on visiting the pyramids to help the researcher or tourist optimise there time in Giza, Saqqara, Abusir and Meidum. In the closing pages of the book there is an excellent guide to further reading and references to the sources, quotations and illustrations used throughout the book.

The best layman's guide to the pyramids EVER, 06 Jul 1999
Whether your interest in the pyramids is historical, archaeological or esoteric, this has to be the best book available. It's very well written by an author who really knows his subject, and it systematically covers all the pyramid monuments of Egypt. Although the text is scholarly it's also very readable, and each pyramid is covered in a separate section so it's easy to look up a particular pyramid or dip into the book at random. Most importantly, however, it is fabulously illustrated, not just with superb colour photographs but with diagrams and computer reconstructions. For every pyramid there is a map showing its location, and detailed plans and cross sections showing the complete structure and substructure with all the tunnels, shafts and chambers. The book manages to strike a perfect balance between presenting factual detail and stimulating your imagination, and is the next best thing to an actual visit to Egypt. I really can't recommend it highly enough.

Excellent, 06 Mar 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of the books I used to widen my knowledge about all the temples in Ancient Egypt, it wasn't a study book but I was glad to find it. :-)

It's an excellent book for discovering about the temples and it has some fantastic photographs. It's defiantly worth the money. Whether you are studying Egyptology, going away to Egypt for a holiday or just enjoy reading about the Egyptian history it's a fantastic book to give you an insight to what the temples were used for and how they functioned.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


Well written and illustrated, 16 Jan 2007
Generally, the problem with Egyptology for the starter is that there is little about the Temples that you can visit. There is a great deal about the pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Philae, but little about the purpose and reason for their existence.
Here in one boomis all the known temples, there origins and development.One of the key points about any Egyptian temple: tye were livinbg organisms, forever changing and deverlping, yet the same.
They all have the same items, and usually in the samer place. Here you will find out why tere is a Birth Room, but no one was ever born in the Temple. Where the last hieorglyohic inscription was made.
Well worth the buy, get it if your going to Egypt and want to know more about what you are seeing then is easily found in the average guide.

A must have book for your Egyption collection!, 11 Apr 2001
This book follows the excellent previous titles in the series, well laid out and easy to read. A most valuable reference tool that fills the gap in the market. It gives an excellent insight into the progression of Egyptian buildings over the ceturies. References to interesting facts of the alinments of the temples and how they have changed with the specific movement of steller bodies such as Sirius and the Sun. As I said earlier a must have book, well worth twice the selling price. Richie Wells

How can any other giza theory be seriously considered after reading this?, 05 Jan 2009
Incredible! At first it sounds an almost silly proposition - that the Pyramids were powerplants. But once you've read (and understood) this book I guarantee you'll struggle to see them as having served as tombs for past Kings. Christopher Dunn makes a prediction in his book - which I will not spoil here - but suffice to say in the years since being published this prediction has been found as fact - noted in an article on his website.

The book is quite technical - a lot of dimensions and comments are used as recorded by Flinders Petrie who was apparently one of the very few people to record much of the Pyramids from a technical and highly-observant perspective.

I know this isn't the most detailed of reviews, but all in all if you're in any doubt about this book (as I was) - buy it, read it, and just see what you think afterwards! I'm sure you won't look back!

It's just a shame those Egytian Scholarly Archaeologist types don't open their eyes once in a while...

Excellent Scientific Theory, 18 Sep 2008
This book was published in 1998, but I still go back to it again and again. Christopher Dunn has written a well-researched and fascinating study of the Pyramids, and comes up with a highly convincing argument that the buildings were power generators of some kind.

These buildings rem