Mountains of the Pharaohs Audiobook By Zahi Hawass cover art

Mountains of the Pharaohs

The Untold Story of the Pyramid Builders

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Mountains of the Pharaohs

By: Zahi Hawass
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.61

Buy for $14.61

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

An unprecedented account of one of civilization's greatest achievements.

The great pyramids of Giza have intrigued humanity for thousands of years. Questions about the construction and the purpose of these majestic monuments have existed since the middle period of ancient Egyptian civilization; in the sixth century B.C., Herodotus was the first of generations of explorers to travel to Egypt in an attempt to unlock their secrets. Recent cutting-edge research has uncovered information, unimaginable to previous generations, about how and why they were built.

In Mountains of the Pharaohs, Zahi Hawass, a world-renowned archaeologist and the official guardian of Egypt's timeless treasures, weaves the latest archaeological data and an enthralling family history into a spellbinding narrative.

Nearly 5,000 years ago, the fourth dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom reigned over a highly advanced civilization. Believed to be gods, the royal family lived amidst colossal palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. Hawass brings these extraordinary historical figures to life, spinning a soap opera-like saga complete with murder, incest, and the triumphant ascension to the throne of one of only four queens ever to rule Egypt.

The magnificent pyramids attest not only to the dynasty's supreme power, but also to the engineering expertise and architectural sophistication that flourished under their rule. Hawass argues that the pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing, were built by skilled craftsman who took great pride in their work.

©2006 Zahi Hawass (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.
Archaeology Architecture Egypt Royalty Ancient History Ancient Egypt Pharaoh
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"For Egyptophiles, this will be [a] must listen." (Publishers Weekly)
"This account is not only a history of the pyramids but also a compelling account of the powerful kings of ancient Egypt." (Booklist)

What listeners say about Mountains of the Pharaohs

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    42
  • 3 Stars
    38
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    23
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Scholarly

I read Bob Brier’s Egyptian Civilization, 48 lectures before this book and wouldn’t have understood it if I hadn’t. Excellent book, very well done! If you have a good base knowledge of 3000 years of civilization, then this might be the book for you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Old Kingdom Made Alive.

This book presents in a concise, understandable way the kings of the 4th dynasty.
While considerable space is given to the pyramids;
it also includes information about the burial temples and tombs of lesser functionaries. There is also a discussion of the Great Sphinx and techniques of building. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Foundational Egyptology

Zahi Hawas makes a splendid History Channel host but his true talent lies in his ability to express concepts and truths for subject matter that he is no doubt passionate about. This book will remain in my library as a fundamental work. Read it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Good book

Wow, so much information! Going through the lines of rulers and the tombs and monuments through out Egypt. Full of current discoveries as well as past findings. Putting them together for a full picture of the history. I enjoyed this book but will need to listen again to get a better understanding.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding coverage in a very small space

I could have listened to this for hours more. The narration is on point and covers a critical period in Egyptian history offering up some rare facts not easily found in other books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Snoring

Publisher Weekly said this is a must read...Ha!
Insomniac Nightly gave it the same endorsement!

This book does NOT tell how the Great Pyramids were built.
It's a long boring narrative; listing which king was married to which sister and the name of their cousin and so on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

OK

I am not an Egyptologist but have always been fascinated with Egypt, the pyramids etc. I had a hard time following the names, places, and relevance of facts. I think someone more versed in the subject would get a lot out if it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!