"Well researched and entertaining with amusing historical anecdotes, this study will fascinate those interested in Egyptian Âantiquities as well as engineering." -Edward K. Werner, Âformerly with St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., USA, Library Journal "Pointing to the heavens, ancient obelisks proudly display their Egyptian origins to the world. Often embellished with informative royal hieroglyphic inscriptions, many obelisks have now gained an additional historical layer--the fascinating and sometimes controversial narrative of their travels from Egypt to faraway lands.
Bob Brier captures these stories with his thorough research and unique storytelling skills." - Peter Der Manuelian, Philip J. King Professor of Egyptology, Harvard University, USA, and Director, Harvard Semitic Museum, USA "A book full of fascinating and obscure details about Egyptian obelisks, this volume by Bob Brier is written in his usual chatty manner. Meticulously researched, it offers an entertaining and informative read for both scholars and the general public." - Rita E. Freed, John F. Cogan Jr. and Mary L.
Cornille Chair, Art of the Ancient World, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, USA " Cleopatra's Needles is a brilliant book, bringing the magic and the mystery of ancient Egypt to all of us." - Zahi Hawass, Egyptologist, Egypt "A book full of fascinating and obscure details about Egyptian obelisks, this volume by Bob Brier is written in his usual chatty manner. Meticulously researched, it offers an entertaining and informative read for both scholars and the general public." - Rita Freed, Chair, Ancient Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA "Brier brings an Egyptologist's perspective, a fascination with engineering, considerable storytelling skills, and a conversational tone honed by professional broadcasting. Together, this makes for a generally enjoyable read." - Andrew Robinson, Science "Cleopatra's Needles is written in Brier's informal, easy-to-read style and will certainly be a welcomed addition to any Egyptophile's library." - KMT Magazine "Mr. Brier tells these stories with panache and with authority.
His cast of characters-pharaohs, emperors, popes, engineers, Egyptologists and millionaires-can hardly be beat. And he restores wonder to these enigmatic objects created so long ago." - Wall Street Journal "Bob Brier brilliantly draws the reader's attention to the adventurous stories of these obelisks in times when the Western World was caught up in obelisk mania. For readers interested in the history of science, this book will be highly welcome." - Carola Vogel, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "Brier's narrative is compelling and at times thrilling. His descriptions of the men and the challenges they overcame to move these beautiful monoliths during the nineteenth century make the technical skills and the artistic genius of their ancient Egyptian creators all the more remarkable." - Classical Journal.