Encyclopedia of Mummies

Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr

You don't have to be an Egyptologist to get a kick out of this book. Mummies of every possible persuasion are included. Ever wonder how Lenin keeps his rosy cheeks? Ever wonder how you, too, could be mummified? Brier has all the answers, and he presents them in an absolutely readable, down-to-earth style. This should be a must for every lower and middle school library as the kids prepare for those Egyptian, or even Native American units. But beware: once you start browsing, the book is almost impossible to put down!

School Library Journal

YA-Brier pulls together a wide variety of facts and descriptions that provide cultural and popular perspectives about preserved human and animal life along with the scientific information. The alphabetical entries contain a definition, an explanation of how the entry fits into a historical context, and photographs for certain selected subjects. John Paul Jones, who was preserved in whiskey; Eva Peron, preserved by the infusion of wax; and the preservatives-treated body of Vladimir Lenin are among the examples of modern mummies. Accidental cases of mummification are included such as the Iceman found in the European Alps in 1991. Frozen mammoths of Siberia, as well as the preserved monkeys, ibises, and ducks found in the Valley of the Kings are also covered. The black-and-white photographs provide details and clearly depict the state of preservations of the various mummies, or provide visually interesting items, such as political cartoons featuring mummies. An extensive bibliography subdivides the sources into topics as diverse as "The Mummification Process" and "Comic Books." The easy-to-use index is extensively cross-referenced. Fascinating and informative reading.-Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Booknews

Brier, the first person in 2,000 years to successfully mummify a human cadaver using the tools and methods of the ancient Egyptians, documents the influence of mummies on literature, film, the visual arts, the scientific world, and pop culture. The A-to-Z entries describe, among other things, mummies of the famous and the obscure; Egyptian, Chinese, Italian, Peruvian, and Native American mummies; mummification methods; scientists, explorers, fanatics, and eccentrics who have contributed knowledge; and the range of sciences that play a role in solving the riddle that every mummy contains. Contains many b&w photographs, some of which were never before published. Two appendices list films and locations of collections. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.