Egypt for Level 1 and Level 2: The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt and The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

by Elizabeth Payne

Though we've studied ancient Egypt before, we managed to miss this book that is recommended both by RC History for Connecting with History Volume 1 (for the logic level, but I'm using it with my Level 2 student as well as my Level 3 student) and Mater Amabilis™ Level 1A Year 2 (which would be third grade, though my third grader is not reading it as we're only spending a few weeks on ancient Egypt).

I finished The History of Ancient Egypt shortly before reading this Landmark book and was pleased that I found no important discrepancies. This book brings ancient Egypt to life for young readers. There are many photographs and helpful maps. The writing is inviting and entertaining as well as informative, as I have found with many of the Landmark Books. This is a nice complement to the Usborne ancient history books with lots of vibrant color pictures and diagrams but limited text.

The Mater Amabilis™ schedule for Level 1A recommends just a few pages each reading, but I have my Level 2 Year 2 student reading longer sections. I expect both my daughters to enjoy this book.

The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone: Key to Ancient Egypt

by James Cross Giblin

This book is found on the list for Connecting with History as well. I am asking only my Level 3 student (currently in seventh grade) to read it. It's a deeper presentation of the struggle to decipher and understand the writing on the Rosetta Stone. I love how it includes many engravings by Denon of Napoleon's Egyptian expedition. Although the deciphering was difficult, it is explained simply enough for a young reader. There are many clear diagrams of the hieroglyphs which allow the reader to understand the connections more easily.  I think my fifth grader could read it, though I have only put it on her independent (optional) reading list rather than asking for steady reading and narrations. There are many

I have received nothing in exchange for this post, which includes only my honest opinions. I bought these books used many years ago. Links to RC History above are affiliate links. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt and The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone are also available at Amazon (affiliate links).

Egypt in Stories: The History of Ancient Egypt

The History of Ancient Egypt

by Bob Brier

This is a fantastic series of 48 lectures, each one around thirty minutes long. Professor Brier starts with the earliest records of humans in the Nile delta and follows the Egyptian civilization up to the Roman conquest and the death of Cleopatra, focusing mainly on the elite and pharaohs.

The professor is not a Christian, but he has two fascinating lectures on the two most famous Hebrews of Egypt: Joseph and Moses. His treatment is refreshingly positive, showing how the people and civilization described in the Biblical narrative is, if nothing else, accurate as far as we can tell from archaeological evidence.

I do think he mistakenly attributes the "idea" of a single omnipotent God to Akhenaten. While Akhenaten did turn away from the hundreds of Egyptian deities, his devotion to One God was hidden by the priests of Egypt and did not contribute to the growth of the Hebrew religion following the time of Abraham.

I listened to this course because the three younger children will study ancient Egypt at the beginning of the school year (Connecting with History volume 1) while the oldest will study Africa in his geography course. I always enjoy expanding my own background knowledge even though it's not really necessary. After listening to a few lectures, I started to consider sharing the whole course with the kids. After a few more, I convinced myself it was just too much and would take us years to get through the whole thing. But by the end, I was swayed. It's really too excellent not to share, especially when Second Daughter is completely fascinated by ancient Egypt. So I think we will listen to them together while riding in the van. We may take breaks for other books if we're overwhelmed and it will certainly take more than the few weeks of the ancient Egypt unit, but it's worth it.

For those who are considering sharing it as well, you can use just some lectures. While they build on each other, each one can stand on its own. Please be aware the lectures are meant for adult or mature listeners so there are some off-hand comments that may be surprising for younger listeners, though mostly they'd probably be ignored or not understood.

There are two lectures that deserve special attention and probably a pre-listen. Lecture 17 (Queen Hatshepsut) refers to her intimate relationship with a man who was not her husband, including descriptions of graffiti depicting them together in...disreputable circumstances. Lecture 33 (The Decline of Dynasty XIX) describes Merneptah’s unusual method of counting the Libyans killed in a battle. Often they would cut off one of the hands, but in this case they might have wanted to prove they were fighting men. It's more than just a brief mention of the episode.

I purchased this audiobook, probably during one of the 2-for-1 sales that often include the Great Courses. I have received nothing in exchange for this honest review, but the link to Amazon above is an affiliate link.

A Different Mythology: Tales of Ancient Egypt

Tales of Ancient Egypt

by Roger Lancelyn Green

It's been a few years since we studied ancient history with RC History's Connecting with History volume 1, but we'll be returned to it again this year. Each time around, I find myself tempted to buy just a few more books at the higher levels; they're all so good! This year, I bought Tales of Ancient Egypt. I love Green's version of Robin Hood, so I really didn't seriously consider not buying this book.

The book is divided into three sections: Tales of the Gods, Tales of Magic, and Tales of Adventure. There is a short introduction at the beginning and a map of Egypt, both of which are useful for the student.

The tales themselves are wonderfully told with interesting language and excitement. There are written as if a comfortable grandfather were telling tales in front of a fireplace. (I don't really know what Green was like in real life, but that's always how I imagine him.)

I particularly enjoyed the Story of the Greek Princess, which tells a version of the abduction of Helen in which she is secreted safely away in Egypt through the entire Trojan War. (I searched online and there are indeed ancient sources for such a tale.) I also enjoyed the last tale which tells an Egyptian version of what we would call a Cinderella story, though it has some marked differences from more common ones today.

I expect all of my children will enjoy the stories in this book. My sixth grader will be assigned it. I will recommend it to my fourth grader. I even included it as optional independent reading for my ninth grader (along with the myths and tales he is reading for narrations). It's appropriate for all ages, though younger ones would appreciate someone reading it aloud.

The Puffin Classics edition is a nice little paperback, well-printed.

This post is my honest opinion. I have linked above, with affiliate links, to RC History, because that is the program through which I learned of this book. I purchase our books through a variety of sources and ended up buying this one on Amazon (also an affiliate link).