From Booklist
The Egyptian Book of the Dead, originally titled The Book of Coming Forth by Day, was created to help the people of ancient Egypt prepare and survive in the afterlife. A copy of the book was buried with the recently deceased for guidance along an unfamiliar path. This new edition (Seleem is a writer, lecturer, and teacher of Egyptian culture and history who has been studying Egyptology for a quarter of a century) combines beautiful illustrations with clear text, opening a new world to contemporary readers. The author discusses and defines the historical and religious contexts of the ancient manuscript, making this new translation a very helpful introduction to the ancient Egyptian beliefs about death and the afterlife. It will provide a journey of enlightenment for all those interested in learning about new spiritual views toward life and death. Julia Glynn
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Book Description
"See, is it not written in this scroll? Read, you who will discover it in future ages...Read, children of the future and learn the secrets of the best...." According to Egyptian religion, we are travelers in eternity who require initiation in a body of knowledge that will take us into death...and beyond. The Egyptian Book of the Dead serves as our guide on this journey, an indispensable spiritual map--and here is the essence of that timeless guide, the complete Papyrus of Hunefer, with illustrations on every page, translation, and commentary. Brilliantly drawn hieroglyphs match the monumental writing on the temple walls and even surpass them in quality and clarity. Prayers, breathing exercises for protection, the "negative confessions"--assertions you have not sinned--and other rituals draw you fully into the spiritual experience. An introduction to one of the most important texts ever written, presented in visually breathtaking style.



Language Notes
Text: English (translation)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"See, is it not written in this scroll? Read, you who will discover it in future ages...Read, children of the future and learn the secrets of the best...." According to Egyptian religion, we are travelers in eternity who require initiation in a body of knowledge that will take us into death...and beyond. The Egyptian Book of the Dead serves as our guide on this journey, an indispensable spiritual map--and here is the essence of that timeless guide, the complete Papyrus of Hunefer, with illustrations on every page, translation, and commentary. Brilliantly drawn hieroglyphs match the monumental writing on the temple walls and even surpass them in quality and clarity. Prayers, breathing exercises for protection, the "negative confessions"--assertions you have not sinned--and other rituals draw you fully into the spiritual experience. An introduction to one of the most important texts ever written, presented in visually breathtaking style.

SYNOPSIS

The most accessible translation ever! According to Egyptian religion, we are travelers in eternity who require initiation in a body of knowledge that will take us into death . . . and beyond. The Egyptian Book of the Dead is our indispensable spiritual map on this journey—the complete Papyrus of Hunefer, with illustrations on every page, translation, and commentary. Brilliantly drawn hieroglyphs match the monumental writing on the temple walls. "Will provide a journey of enlightenment for all those interested in learning about new spiritual views toward life and death."—Booklist.