Reviews of A Gift of Geology
Although early days, A Gift of Geology has received very positive reviews. Here are a selection:
"Colin Reader is an established authority in Egyptology, and one of only a handful to have specialist knowledge of both geology and ancient Egypt, expertise now distilled into this very readable volume."— Chris Naunton, author of Egyptologists' Notebooks.
“Colin Reader’s guide to all things geological in Egypt is the perfect handbook for the interested lay reader. Colin takes us from the vast swaths of geological time, across the full range of Egyptian landscapes, to the archaeological context for the building of the pyramids and the quarrying of the unfinished obelisk. His illustrated book is a comprehensive geological companion and, with its suggested further reading, a starting point for deeper investigation.”— Judith Bunbury, University of Cambridge .
"In this book, Colin Reader skillfully combines his long-standing and scholarly interest in Egyptology with his professional career as a geologist. The result is an accessible, engaging, and up-to-date account of Egypt’s natural landscape and how it came to support the ancient Egyptians’ civilization. This work also successfully demonstrates how events taking place over millions of years are connected to the modern, built environment with which we are familiar today. In this way, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a deeper exploration of ancient Egypt, encouraging us to think not only in dynasties and periods, but also in eras and eons."— Glenn Godenho, University of Liverpool .
"I'm a sucker for everything related to ancient Egypt and thoroghly enjoyed this book. It's a bit on the academical side, well researched, and it made me learn a lot about this topic. Highly recommended." Go to goodreads
"Colin D. Reader combines his expertise as an engineering geologist with his knowledge of Egyptology to explore the effects of rock and soil on a unique ancient civilization. The result is a unique perspective born from personal experience..........Approaching Egyptology from a different angle was, in the end, a delight. So much in Egyptology remains unknown. The charm of this book lies for me, in seeing a passionate engineer/geologist grapple with the subject." Go to full review
"Colin Reader merges his passion for Egyptology with his geographical expertise to give a fascinating overview of the Egyptian landscape and the long geological processes that gave rise to one of the world's most unique civilizations."--The Explorer's Journal.
"An authoritative, valuable, accessible introduction to Egypt's geology and its influence on understanding ancient Pharaonic Egyptian culture. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers."—CHOICE.