Tutankhamun's Trumpet cover art

Tutankhamun's Trumpet

The Story of Ancient Egypt in 100 Objects

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Tutankhamun's Trumpet

By: Toby Wilkinson
Narrated by: David Timson
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About this listen

‘Beautifully written, sumptuously illustrated, constantly fascinating‘ The Times

On 26 November 1922 Howard Carter first peered into the newly opened tomb of an ancient Egyptian boy-king. When asked if he could see anything, he replied: ‘Yes, yes, wonderful things.’

In Tutankhamun’s Trumpet, acclaimed Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes a unique approach to that tomb and its contents. Instead of concentrating on the oft-told story of the discovery, or speculating on the brief life and politically fractious reign of the boy king, Wilkinson takes the objects buried with him as the source material for a wide-ranging, detailed portrait of ancient Egypt – its geography, history, culture and legacy.

One hundred artefacts from the tomb, arranged in ten thematic groups, are allowed to speak again – not only for themselves, but as witnesses of the civilization that created them. Never before have the treasures of Tutankhamun been analysed and presented for what they can tell us about ancient Egyptian culture, its development, its remarkable flourishing, and its lasting impact.

Filled with surprising insights, unusual details, vivid descriptions and, above all, remarkable objects, Tutankhamun’s Trumpet will appeal to all lovers of history, archaeology, art and culture, as well as all those fascinated by the Egypt of the pharaohs.

‘I’ve read many books on ancient Egypt, but I’ve never felt closer to its people‘ The Sunday Times

Ancient Ancient Egypt Archaeology Egypt Expeditions & Discoveries Middle East World Ancient History Africa Pharaoh Royalty

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Critic reviews

Beautifully written, sumptuously illustrated, constantly fascinating and the work of a man who is practised at explaining the past to the present. (David Aaronivitch)
The cleverness of the book lies in how individual grave goods are used to crack open the mindset of a civilisation . . . This book thrums with life. To the ancient Egyptians, a pharaoh’s tomb was a “resurrection machine” and, in a sense, they were right. The dead cannot be resurrected but, through the artefacts they used, we can sense the lives they lived. I’ve read many books on ancient Egypt, but I’ve never felt closer to its people. (James McConnachie)
The Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes 100 of the most curious of those finds and uses them to unlock the mysteries of Egyptian history and culture. (Andrew Holgate and Laura Hackett)
Accomplished British narrator David Timson guides listeners through this fascinating exploration of ancient Egypt with aplomb. His vocal variation and creative expressiveness maintain the listener's interest, complementing the intriguing subject matter.
All stars
Most relevant
excellent book that throughly covers history and culture across millennia of ancient Egypt's history
written in a very well balanced style.
in a way it is a very good reference to the vast knowledge that keeps evolving through new discoveries and understanding.

Interesting, thoroughly enjoyable

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It was an easy enough listen however it felt like it jumped about a bit and was not something that drew you in,

Ok but a bit drawn out

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I’m a fan of Egyptian history and currently reading another book by this author so was looking forward to this. It was a bit disappointing though, perhaps because it felt repetitive of what I’ve read in his other books and elsewhere, but maybe for those who haven’t it could be interesting. Certainly a novel approach.

Ok but not amazing

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