Egypt's Golden Couple

September 12, 2022
In this innovative and detailed study, husband-and-wife Egyptologists John and Colleen Darnell (Tutankhamun’s Armies) explore the 14th-century BCE reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti, the parents of Tutankhamun. The Darnells convincingly argue that Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s establishment of a monotheistic solar-based religion, support for architectural and artistic innovations, and strategic vision changed the course of Egyptian history. Early in his 17-year reign during Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, Akhenaten changed his name from Amunhotep IV to Akhenaten, rejecting his father’s religious beliefs in favor of a new solar cult with the god Aten as its focus. Along with Queen Nefertiti, Akhenaten elevated Aten above all other deities, drastically altering Egypt’s religious infrastructure. The city of Akhet-Aten (also known as Tell el-Amarna) served as a sacred stage, reflecting the trinity of the god Aten, Akhenaten, and Nefertiti as god, high priest, and high priestess, respectively. Throughout, the Darnells draw on historical records, artwork, and archaeological discoveries to provide colorful vignettes of daily life during the era and share immersive descriptions of their own excavations and travels throughout Egypt. Readers will delight in this accessible study of a consequential period of Egypt’s history. Illus.

June 1, 2023

Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and Tutankhamun are familiar names to many. The Darnells, a husband-and-wife team of Egyptologists (authors of Tutankhamun's Armies) offer a new analysis of the lives of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, parents of King Tutankhamun, adding to and challenging established research. The authors' historical documentation is beautifully enhanced by vignettes of Nefertiti and Akhenaten--imagining, for instance, how they might have felt on the day of their son's coronation or their daughter's funeral. Narrated by Roshelle Simpson, these vignettes are so cinematic and rich that listeners may feel as though they are watching a multipart docuseries. Simpson's pacing is perfectly attuned to the text, and she reads with a wonder and awe that matches the Darnells' writing. While much of the book is well suited to audio, narration of the translated hieroglyphs is a bit jarring, as the narrator reads each punctuation mark, including the brackets that indicate missing words. VERDICT Despite some flaws, this audiobook is a fantastic addition to any collection. Share with listeners looking for a different take on ancient Egyptian royalty; fans of Guy de la B�doy�re's Pharaohs of the Sun or Arielle P. Kozloff's Amenhotep III will also likely enjoy this title.--Carmanita Turner

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