Egypt's Golden Couple - by John Darnell & Colleen Darnell (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Two celebrated Egyptologists bring to vivid life the intriguing and controversial reign of King Tut's parents Akhenaten has been the subject of radically different, even contradictory, biographies. The king has achieved fame as the world's first individual and the first monotheist, but others have seen him as an incestuous tyrant who nearly ruined the kingdom he ruled. The gold funerary mask of his son Tutankhamun and the painted bust of his wife Nefertiti are the most recognizable artifacts from all of ancient Egypt. But who are Akhenaten and Nefertiti? And what can we actually say about rulers who lived more than three thousand years ago? November 2022 marks the centennial of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and although "King Tut" is a household name, his nine-year rule pales in comparison to the revolutionary reign of his parents. Akhenaten and Nefertiti became gods on earth by transforming Egyptian solar worship, innovating in art and urban design, and merging religion and politics in ways never attempted before. Combining fascinating scholarship, detective suspense, and adventurous thrills, Egypt's Golden Couple is a journey through excavations, museums, hieroglyphic texts, and stunning artifacts. From clue to clue, renowned Egyptologists, John and Colleen Darnell, reconstruct an otherwise untold story of the magnificent reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti"--

Book Synopsis

Two celebrated Egyptologists bring to vivid life the intriguing and controversial reign of King Tut's parents.

Akhenaten has been the subject of radically different, even contradictory, biographies. The king has achieved fame as the world's first individual and the first monotheist, but others have seen him as an incestuous tyrant who nearly ruined the kingdom he ruled. The gold funerary mask of his son Tutankhamun and the painted bust of his wife Nefertiti are the most recognizable artifacts from all of ancient Egypt. But who are Akhenaten and Nefertiti? And what can we actually say about rulers who lived more than three thousand years ago?

November 2022 marks the centennial of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and although "King Tut" is a household name, his nine-year rule pales in comparison to the revolutionary reign of his parents. Akhenaten and Nefertiti became gods on earth by transforming Egyptian solar worship, innovating in art and urban design, and merging religion and politics in ways never attempted before.

Combining fascinating scholarship, detective suspense, and adventurous thrills, Egypt's Golden Couple is a journey through excavations, museums, hieroglyphic texts, and stunning artifacts. From clue to clue, renowned Egyptologists John and Colleen Darnell reconstruct an otherwise untold story of the magnificent reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

Review Quotes

"Anyone devoted to ancient Egypt must have this book, which gives us the clearest picture yet of this powerful family that might not have become known if Howard Carter hadn't found the resting place of the frail young pharaoh."
--St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Readers will delight in this accessible study of a consequential period of Egypt's history."
--Publisher's Weekly

"In addition to chronicling the complex political, social, economic, and architectural elements of the history, the Darnells offer a touching portrait of family life...Riveting."
--Kirkus Reviews

"A lively and insightful portrait of the ultimate power couple."
--Booklist (Starred review)

"The life and reign of King Tut's parents...new interpretations of ancient artifacts."
--New Canaan Advertiser

"Full of acutely observed detail and intriguing insight."
--Toby Wilkinson, New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt

"A new presentation of what may have been the most important period in the
ancient world."
--Bob Brier, author of The Murder of Tutankhamen

"Fascinating."
--Dr. Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities

"Two of the finest minds in Egyptology--have created something wholly new: a bridge between the wonder of fans and scholars of Ancient Egypt."
--Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light

About the Author

John and Colleen Darnell are a husband-and-wife Egyptologist team. They have presented on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, National Geographic, the Science Channel, and Smithsonian, as well as appeared in National Geographic's "Lost Treasures of Egypt."

John is Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University. His archaeological expeditions in Egypt have been covered by the New York Times. In 2017, his Eastern Desert expedition discovered the earliest monumental hieroglyphic inscription and was named one of the top ten discoveries of the year by Archaeology.

Colleen teaches art history at the University of Hartford and Naugatuck Valley Community College; she has curated a major museum exhibit on Egyptian revival art and design at the Yale Peabody Museum.

Together, John and Colleen have authored The Ancient Egyptian Netherworld Books.