Encyclopedia of Mummies

Includes entries for famous and obscure mummies, mummification techniques, scientists and explorers who have made significant finds, and the cultural background of human preservation

YA-Brier pulls together a wide variety of facts and descriptions that provide cultural and popular perspectives about preserved human and animal life along with the scientific information. The alphabetical entries contain a definition, an explanation of how the entry fits into a historical context, and photographs for certain selected subjects. John Paul Jones, who was preserved in whiskey; Eva Peron, preserved by the infusion of wax; and the preservatives-treated body of Vladimir Lenin are among the examples of modern mummies. Accidental cases of mummification are included such as the Iceman found in the European Alps in 1991. Frozen mammoths of Siberia, as well as the preserved monkeys, ibises, and ducks found in the Valley of the Kings are also covered. The black-and-white photographs provide details and clearly depict the state of preservations of the various mummies, or provide visually interesting items, such as political cartoons featuring mummies. An extensive bibliography subdivides the sources into topics as diverse as "The Mummification Process" and "Comic Books." The easy-to-use index is extensively cross-referenced. Fascinating and informative reading.
Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Encyclopedia of Mummies covers all aspects of this interesting and fascinating topic. By defining the term in its broadest sense to include both those mummies created by natural means and those formed by artificial means, author Brier has produced a volume to meet a growing interest.

Entries are arranged alphabetically and vary in length from one paragraph to several columns, though the average length is approximately 350 words. The encyclopedia includes information on mummies from around the world, from ancient and medieval times to the modern day. Readers may be surprised to learn that Lenin and Eva Peron are considered mummies, as is naval hero John Paul Jones. In addition to historical figures, Brier includes mummies from both film and literature. Abbott and Costello and the Three Stooges all have had mummy encounters, though Boris Karloff remains, perhaps, the most famous interpreter of the horror-movie mummy. There are definitions and descriptions of the artificial mummification process, as well as those conditions that cause the natural mummification of corpses. Ethical issues surrounding the display of mummies are discussed in the entry ethics and mummies.

Black-and-white illustrations enhance the text. Two appendixes, a list of mummy films, and a list of collections divided into Egyptian and non-Egyptian mummies follow the entries. The extensive bibliography of more than 1,000 items includes both English-and non-English-language books and articles, sorted geographically and, for some areas, by topic, such as mummification process and children's books. See references supplement the index and lead readers to other entries of related interest.

The Encyclopedia of Mummies is intended for both serious researchers and lay readers. It will certainly appeal to junior-high-school and high-school readers who are doing school projects on the topic. It is an excellent overview.