Dr Joyce Tyldesley provides a detailed exploration of the religious and other beliefs that both reflected and shaped the culture of ancient Egypt.

In Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt Dr Tyldesley pieces together the fragmentary evidence of Egyptian religious, cultural and funerary practices to build a detailed picture of Egypt’s dynastic period. She shows how beliefs changed over time and from place to place and explains how the myths and legend influenced culture. The stories were, in return, influenced by the Pharaohs as they sought to confirm their authority.

An initial introduction explains how Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt came together and the research needed to pull together the sources. With a largely oral tradition the stories and practices of ancient Egypt are limited and fragmentary so it was major piece of scholarship to collect and analyse the information that Joyce Tyldesley presents in Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt.

Periodic Tales is a rare book as it embraces science, culture, history in one volume and it is all brought together seamlessly by the art of good writing. Hugh Aldersey-Williams has created a book that is both a good and fascinating read as well as a useful reference.

Enjoyable Read and Valuable Reference

Rather than work through the elements by atomic number Periodic Tales is organised into five parts where they are related as much by cultural characteristics as by science. Hugh Aldersey-Williams provides a consistent narrative that flows smoothly through the elements covered in each part. It is an exploration of a gentle obsession, a shared personal interest in the stories behind the elements. The stories are well-linked to provide a narrative but are diverse and so provide an entertaining read.

How to Stop Worrying and Love the Free Economy by Eamonn Butler

Economics is usually dry and impenetrable but in this slim volume Eamonn Butler explains the workings of market economies in a light but non-trivial way.

Books on economics are usually substantial but if The Best Book on the Market were fiction, at around thirty thousand words, it would barely qualify as a novella. Indeed many novels are harder to read than this book by Dr. Eammon Butler who is a Director of the world renowned think-tank, The Adam Smith Institute. His qualification are therefore not in doubt but his writing will come as a surprise considering the subject.

This is an inexpensive and genuinely pocketable field guide for birdwatchers. It provides comprehensive coverage of birds that are regularly seen in Britain and Europe.

A Compact Field Guide for Both Serious and Casual Ornithologists

The Birdwatchers Pocket Guide to Britain and Europe is a slim format hardback that will fit in the pocket of a field jacket or backpack.

Leroy Ripley was fascinated by the oddities of everyday life. He created the Ripley brand of museums, books radio and tv shows. This a book review of the 2010 Annual.

This book is a logical spin-off that will entertain, often against the reader’s intention. Due to the nature of the content and presentation of Ripley’s Believe it or Not many readers will be dismissive but few will avoid engaging with it, even if initially reluctant.

Role of Faith, Empire and Liberty in Defining the American Nation

America is a nation with a particular view of democracy and freedom. This book seeks to explain how that view has been formed through its history of conflicting beliefs.

America, Empire of Liberty covers the history of America from before the arrival of European colonists up the election of Barack Obama in November 2008 which was a noteworthy event in the context of this book’s analysis.