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Book Review
by Mary Kay Radnich
Common Birds of Egypt, Revised Edition
Bertel Bruun & Sherif Baha el Din
The American University in Cairo Press, 1996
Cairo, Egypt
LE 15.00
Traveling throughout the world gives one the opportunity
to see not only different landscapes and lifestyles, but
also to see a variety of different flora and fauna. While
one may think, what unique wildlife could possibly be found
in a land that is predominately desert, Egypt, as always,
proves to be just as rich in bird life as it is in
antiquities.
Boasting 430 resident and migratory bird species, even
the most novice birder will have the opportunity to see
unusual species while cruising the Nile or enjoying the
sandy beaches of the Red Sea. But how, you may ask, can
these colorful winged creatures be identified? Never fear,
authors Bertel Bruun and Sherif Baha el Din, have created a
marvelous, pocket-sized handbook of not only the birds to be
found in Egypt with full color illustrations, but also of
the best birding places, whether along the Nile, in the
Delta area, at an oasis or along the Red Sea.
At a very reasonable LE 15.00 (less than $6 USD) and
truly pocket-sized at less than 50 pages, this slim volume
is the ideal companion for either the experienced
bird-watcher or the casual tourist who just wants to know
the name of that pretty bird he spotted while on a Nile
felucca ride in Aswan. The introduction of the book gives a
nice overview of bird watching in Egypt, speaks about
conservation efforts, and then proceeds to list the 430
species of birds found in Egypt and identifies them as
residents, breeders or visitors.
The illustrations by Sherif Baha el Din are very colorful
and clear; the accompanying text for these pages is written
in both English and Arabic. And, interestingly enough, the
back of the book repeats the introductory information in
Arabic.
I happened to find my copy of Common Birds of Egypt
at the Aboudi Bookstore in Luxor. Published by the AUC
Press, however, I am sure that you would be able to find
this little gem of a guide at any of the AUC Bookstores in
Cairo.
If you want more information about birding in Egypt, you
can consult the web page, www.birdingegypt.com,
which is maintained by Mindy Baha el Din.
Book Review by
by Lynn M. Kordus
Egyptian Art
Jaromir Malek
Phaidon Press Limited, London
1999
ISBN: 0 7148 3627 3
Egyptian Art is part of the Art & Ideas Series Plan,
World Perspectives. An introduction to the world’s art through
wide-ranging surveys, published by Phaidon Press Limited, but
don’t let that put you off. Not only is this title a beautiful
collection of outstanding representative examples of ancient
Egyptian art, but the paper stock, type style, and layout make
this a beautiful book in and of itself.
Jaromir Malek is Editor of the Topographical Bibliography of
Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts and Keeper of the Archive
at the Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. He has
participated in excavations at many sites throughout Egypt.
Egyptian Art is organized as one might expect, following
the chronological path of Egyptian history, from predynastic and
early dynastic periods, to the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, the
Amarna Period, the Ramesside era, and the Ptolemaic and Roman
Periods. Malek outlines artistic trends in each period, linking
them to economic, political, and spiritual developments. Malek
also includes a worthwhile glossary, listings of deities and
personifications, dynasties and kings, key dates, a valuable
index, and a reading list by chapter.
The book is small in format, somewhat larger than 6" x
8", but it is apparent great care was taken to present
Egyptian art pieces in the best possible light. There are very few
black and white photographs, for example, and the book runs to
almost 450 pages.
What is most interesting and most disappointing at the same
time is Malek’s discussion of ancient Egyptian influence on
contemporary art. Malek introduces the reader to
ancient-Egyptian-inspired contemporary artists such as Niki de
Saint Phalle, Peter Randall-Page, Igor Mitoraj, Stephen Cox, Andy
Goldsworthy, Dorothea Rockburne, and Zandra Rhodes, but it is a
mere introduction, barely a sentence or two and that is what is
disappointing.
But, then, this is an introduction to Egyptian art, not an
exhaustive study, and Malek’s brevity only whets the appetite
for more. As Malek says in his conclusion, "In the visual
history of humanity, what chapter can compare with the
extraordinary contribution of ancient Egypt? What other extinct
culture arouses our imagination in such a powerful way? Through
the prism of time this civilization appears as one of certainty,
stability and profound wisdom, in direct contrast to the world in
which we live today…. Artists of the future will no doubt take
something from ancient Egypt, continuing the link with the visual
world explored in this book." (422)
buy the book, Egyptian Art (Art and Ideas)
Media Review
by Mary Kay Radnich
Mysteries of Egypt
VHS Video1999
Produced by National Geographic and Destination Cinema
When Mysteries of Egypt first appeared as an IMAX theatre
presentation, I saw it not once, not twice, but three times!
National Geographic, well known for their commitment to
marvelous photography, whether still photos or live action,
has captured the romance, beauty and yes, the mystery of
Egypt in this large format film. And now I can watch
Mysteries of Egypt on video, in my own home!
Starring Omar Sharif, the original Egyptian
"eye-candy" as narrator, he portrays a
distinguished, enthusiastic grandfather taking his
granddaughter, played by Kate Maberly, on a journey through
time which unravels the mystery of the mummy’s curse
legend while giving us a never-ending visual treat as we
soar along the Nile, see the building of the Great Pyramid
and follow Howard Carter in his search for the tomb of
Tutankamun.
The producers of the film have used the large-format film
technology to the best advantage in showcasing the wonders
of Egypt and of the Nile. Not only are we able to soar like
eagles above the rushing headwaters of the Nile in Uganda
and Ethiopia, we are able to watch as each block of the
Great Pyramid is transported up ramps by authentically
costumed Egyptians. Great care was taken to make the re-enactments
in the film as authentic as possible, under the tutelage of
Zahi Hawass.
One of the most interesting techniques in the film is the
use of black and white footage to give the sense of taking
you back in time as Howard Carter’s efforts to discover
Tut’s tomb are brought to life. When Lord Carnarvan asks,
"Carter, what do you see?" you are there,
experiencing the anticipation right along with them, as they
peer into the tomb by candlelight for the first time.
While watching Mysteries of Egypt on video does lack the
overwhelming effect of seeing it on a five story IMAX
screen, it does have one benefit that the IMAX version does
not. Along with the film, is the 30-minute documentary, The
Making of the Mysteries of Egypt. If you are at all
interested in the ‘how did they do that?’ sort of thing,
then you will also enjoy this bonus film. Revealing the
techniques used to recreate everything from building the
pyramids to King Tut’s funeral procession up the Valley of
the Kings, battling desert heat and organizing hundreds of
extras, you will be amazed, as I was, that this gorgeous
film was put together in little more than a month’s time.
Buy
Mysteries of Egypt
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/egypt/imax/ |
