- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (1 Nov 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002258838
- ISBN-13: 978-0002258838
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,138,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Omar James Ross is a maverick Egyptologist--he has his own theories, whic put him at odds with the academic establishment. He believes that the astonishing knowledge and abilities of the anciient Egyptians must have come from an earlier civilisation, which he refers to as Atlantis. When Ross receives a frightened phone call from an old friend and colleague, he returns to Egypt to find out what's wrong--and also to find that his friend is dead. Immediately he's caught up in a series of terrifying adventures--shootings, bomb attacks, beatings by the police.
Ross's mother was from a small Bedouin-type tribe, the Hawazim, and Ross finds himself drawn back into their life: long camel rides across the trackless wastes of the Western Desert with almost no food or water, hiding from the authorities, and learning, against his will, that he has a rare talent valued by his tribe.
But why are the authorities so much against him? Who are the mysterious group, the Eye of Ra? And can the tomb of the despised pharaoh Akhnaton be found at the hidden oasis of Zerzura, a place no one can find twice, and which has driven mad those few who have found it in the past? When Ross finally discovers the truth, it's more astonishing and more disturbing than anything he had imagined. But then, is it the truth? Or is it all part of the plotting and counter-plotting with which Egyptology is riven?
The Eye of Ra is a fascinating novel, written by someone who not only knows the way of the desert, but also knows the machinations of Egyptology. Many of the theories of recent speculative rewriters of ancient history (Bauval, Hancock, etc) are drawn into the plot. Beautifully written, with strong and memorable characters, this novel above all leaves in the readers' mind a powerful love and respect for the harsh but beautiful life of the desert. --David V Barrett
Product Description
A brilliant atmospheric thriller, set in Cairo and the surrounding tombs and deserts, involving the threat of the past entwined with present deaths and future machinations.
Omar Ross, a maverick archaeologist, is disturbed by the death at the foot of the pyramids of Giza of his old colleague, a famous Egyptologist, Richard Cranwell. Cranwell had become obsessed by his search for the legendary lost city of Zerzura.
Ross’s suspicions become further aroused by documents left referring to other deaths, of Carnarvon, of Wingate, of Carter, all linked by the inscription for the god Thoth. It seems as if Cranwell had been on the verge of a great discovery; but every contact, every informant, disappears. Cranwell’s body itself is lost and Ross, threatened, beleagured and friendless, turns to his mother’s family, of the Bedouin tribe.
This is a first novel with a difference. Written with great confidence, it is rich with Egyptian mythology and history, its new discoveries are plausible and convincing, the secret organizations and believers complex and frightening, and the cast of characters lively and varied.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must admit that I have always been facinated by the Ancient Egyptian culture and so just the title of the book was enough to convince me to part with my money. What started as a crime novel quickly turned into an intricate web of fact and fantasy that has the reader on the edge of their seat gagging for more ! Omar James Ross 'finds himself' out in the desert and in doing so leads us on the journey of a lifetime. It's the age old tale, that we are not alone.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I managed to read this book in a matter of hours due to it's spell binding, thought provoking content. It's one of those books that leaves you thinking 'What next?' and an inability to fill the gap with just any book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book gripped me from the first page and I finished it in two sessions. Michael Asher has used his knowledge of Egyptology and the desert in an excellent combination. I enjoy a book which makes me think as well as entertains me and this book did not disappoint. If you enjoyed The Seventh Scroll books by Wilbur Smith, you will enjoy this. The pace is fast, the Egyptology fascinating and the theories well thought out. The hero is far from perfect and very human. I look forward to reading more from this author and I shall probably visit Egypt for my next holiday!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great!
I enjoyed this book. It does seem to get far fetched towards the end (which reminded me of 'Star gate'). If you are tempted by conspiracy (Illuminati etc) then give this a go.
Published on 11 May 2009 by Mr Ledger
Great read
I loved this book, it had me hooked from the beginning. Asher is an excellent writer, and I really felt that I was there with Ross and Elena in the desert... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2005 by Kate Harrison
The best book ever written
This is a deeply atmospheric thriller which is intertwined with the truth. Well worth a read.
Published on 26 Oct 2004 by leon pearson
The Five Stars Say It All :)
Exhilarating, moving, thought-prevoking; these are just some of the words that come to mind. The plot is so absorbing and the characters so easy to identify with, that reading this... Read more
Published on 29 July 2003
X-files meets Stargate
This is fantastic should you be the devoted xfile or stargate fan, the plot it self gradually moves faster and faster, with what I though was a 'ho hum' ending, and did not do the... Read more
Published on 5 April 2001
Mystery and Egyptian mythology
A very fascinating suspense story blending ancient Egyptian mythology and modern archeology. A real page turner that one doesn't easily forget afterwards! Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2000 by troruud@iname.com
An ingenious thriller based on the "Mummy's Curse" idea
The story will delight & excite anyone who is interested in Ancient Egypt. The historical details only add to the power of an exciting story with enough Conspiracy theories... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2000 by Dr. Colin L. Sheppard
an excellent thriller shame about the history lesson
This is an original thriller set amongst the Pyramids of Egypt and the Sahara desert.Michael Asher obviously knows Egyptian History but herein lies the problem with the book. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2000 by Jacqueline A. Millman
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
