Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King Elizabeth Bush Hawass, Zahi Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King. National Geographic, 200564p illus. with photographs Library ed. ISBN 0-7922-8355-4$27.90 Trade ed. ISBN 0-7922-8354-6$17.95 R Gr. 4-8 If the latest exhibition of King Tut's treasures is coming soon to a museum near you, or if the hype has already arrived, it's time to update the 932 shelf. Hawass, whose position as head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities lends authority to this title, again proves himself to be an excellent communicator with the grade-school set. (See also Curse of the Pharaohs, BCCB 7/04.) After a brief review of Howard Carter's 1922 discovery, which includes discussion of the role of the Egyptian Abdou el-Rassoul family in the work at the Valley of the Kings, Hawass turns historical background on the political and religious turmoil that preceded [End Page 94] Tutankhamun's reign, the boy king's probable lineage, a reconstruction of his life based largely on interpretation of material culture, and finally, death, burial, and dynastic legacy. Photo illustrations range from clear and serviceable to stunning (particularly a lifelike bust recreated from CT scan data), and coverage is up to date, with 2005 examination results that shed new light on the perpetually fascinating death debate: "Tutankhamun was not murdered by a blow to the head. There is no evidence anywhere on his mummy of foul play. This does not mean for sure he was not murdered, but if he was, his mummy cannot tell us." Since Hawass is not just an observer of, but a participant in, King Tut research, readers could hardly ask for a more knowledgeable and engaging guide. Index, annotated guide for further reading, and a timeline of Egyptian historic periods are included. Copyright © 2005 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois