Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age

I love learning about ancient Egypt, the pyramids, the ancient artifacts, the excavations, mummies, etc. I was very excited to see a book was about women’s involvement in this field including those who donated money, traveled to the sites and about the first woman granted permission to excavate. How thrilling for them to be able to travel there, to live there, to share their travels, their successes, their thoughts, and their struggles.

It is obvious that a tremendous amount of research went into the writing of this book. I could feel the author’s enthusiasm for this subject and the women she shares with readers. I appreciated how she focused on women and their accomplishments, their traveling and inquisitive spirits, their determination and drive. Readers are also given insight into their lives, their love lives, and their marriages.

This book had so many positives, but it felt clunky at times and did not follow, at least for me, any sense of order. Plus, as other reviewers so aptly mentioned, this does feel like an academic book. I was hoping to feel more for the women, their drives, their travels, and their involvement surrounding the digs and local communities. I love learning new things and reading about real people but this book, while informative and extensively researched, didn’t wow me as I had hoped.

But I do believe there is an audience for this book. There are some very interesting sections and I admired the women and their tenacity in this book. Please read the reviews of others who have enjoyed this book more than I did and decide for yourself.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.