Howard Carter: The Path to Tutankhamun

In November 1922 a momentous discovery - unlike any other before or since - was to change our understanding of the ancient world. Until now, however, the marvellous story of Carter's quest for Tutankhamun and its culmination in his unearthing of the intact, treasure-filled tomb has been told without a reliable account of the man behind the discovery and the myths that have surrounded it. Howard Carter's career was a remarkable one: he had arrived in Egypt 30 years earlier as a 17-year old 'tracer' with rudimentary education, and progressed to become the first Chief Inspector of Antiquities in Upper Egypt. An improbable but auspicious partnership with the 5th Earl of Carnarvon developed in which the young Carter acted as assistant and 'learned man' to the aristocrat's excavations in the Theban necropolis. But it was the legendary discovery in the Valley of the Kings and Carter's painstaking clearance of the intact royal burial that was to secure his place in history. He became an international celebrity, simultaneously honoured and vilified wherever he went, but he was also a sad, disillusioned man whose success never brought any reward of happiness. T. G. H. James' definitive biography is both the story of perhaps the most renowned archaeologist of all time and of an essentially tragic human being.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the second edition Preface to the first edition 1. Early years 2. Egypt: the beginnings 3. Consolidation and diversification 4. Chief Inspector 5. The Saqqara affair 6. Crisis and resolution 7. Five years' explorations at Thebes 8. Royal tombs and Great War 9. The Valley of the Kings and discovery 10. The Antechamber 11. The Burial Chamber and death 12. The spirit of mischief 13. America and improving prospects 14. The royal body, with reverence 15. A long and steady plod 16. Non-fulfilment and decline Appendixes: I. Letter from M. Jouveau to M. Maspero II. The Earl of Carnarvon's permit to excavate III. The Earl of Carnarvon's account of the opening IV. The Times agreement Addenda Sources and Bibliography Index

About the Author :
T. G. H. James was formerly Keeper of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum. He is the author of a large number of books on Egyptological subjects, including Tutankhamun (Tauris Parke) and Pharaoh's People (Tauris Parke Paperbacks).

Review :
[This] book will delight those eager to learn about archaeology abroad. This book cannot be more highly recommended to those who love archaeology, Egyptology or maintain a fascination with Tutankhamun and his tomb. As a biography it is first-rate. `...a serious vintage served by the most knowledgeable of wine-waiters'.