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Desert God

a Novel of Ancient Egypt
Jan 08, 2015zipread rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Desert God --- by --- Wilbur Smith. The Pharaoh of Egypt seeks and alliance with the fierce and powerful Minoans to help him defeat the vicious Hyksos who have overwhelmed and occupied Lower Egypt cutting to Pharaoh off from the Middle Sea and isolating his kingdom. Impoverished and unable to pay for the soldiers to fight for his nation, Pharaoh sends his trusted advisor to lead a daring raid deep into Hyksos territory and steal from them a fortune in Minoan treasure. With stealth, the Egyptians flee up the Nile in three captured Minoan vessels and with a fortune in treasure. This is clearly a tale of adventure: caravans cross deserts; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon stir imaginations; the Middle Sea is navigated with slave oarsman pressed into service; the fierce Aurochs of Crete is slain. And those are just a few of the highlights. Yes, there’s swordplay and gore; death and blood. But there’s also a certain light heartedness that commends this book. Smith has put his name to a number of books: I look forward to reading all of them. What Robert Cornwell has done to the times of the Napoleonic Wars Smith does to ancient Egypt. And that’s meant as a compliment to both of them