Protecting Pharaoh's Treasures : My Life in Egyptology

Growing up in Egypt's Nile Delta, the author was fascinated by the magnificent pharaonic monuments from an early age, and as a student dreamed of conducting excavations and working in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. At a time when Egyptology was dominated by men, especially those with close connections to the regime, the author was determined to succeed, and secured grants to study in Boston, London, and Vienna, eventually becoming the first female general director of the country's most prestigious museum. The author launched the first general inventory of the museum's cellars in its more than 100-year history, in the process discovering long-forgotten treasures, as well as confronting corruption and nepotism in the antiquities administration. In this very personal memoir, the author looks back at the history of Egypt and asks, what happened to the country? Where did Nasser's bright new beginning go wrong? Why did Sadat fail to bring peace? Why did the Egyptians allow themselves to be so corrupted by Mubarak? And why was the Muslim Brotherhood able to achieve power? But the author's first concern remains: How can the ancient legacy of Egypt truly be protected? Growing Up In Egypt's Nile Delta, Wafaa El Saddik Was Fascinated By The Magnificent Pharaonic Monuments From An Early Age, And As A Student She Dreamed Of Conducting Excavations Herself And Working In The Egyptian Museum In Cairo. At A Time When Egyptology Was Dominated By Men, Especially Those With Close Connections To The Regime, She Was Determined To Succeed, And Secured Grants To Study In Boston, London, And Vienna, Eventually Becoming The First Female General Director Of The Country's Most Prestigious Museum. She Launched The First General Inventory Of The Museum's Cellars In Its More Than Hundred-year History, In The Process Discovering Long-forgotten Treasures, As Well As Confronting Corruption And Nepotism In The Antiquities Administration. In This Very Personal Memoir, She Looks Back At The History Of Her Country And Asks, What Happened To Egypt? Where Did Nasser's Bright New Beginning Go Wrong? Why Did Sadat Fail To Bring Peace? Why Did The Egyptians Allow Themselves To Be So Corrupted By Mubarak? And Why Was The Muslim Brotherhood Able To Achieve Power? But Her First Concern Remains: How Can The Ancient Legacy Of Her Country Truly Be Protected? Wafaa El Saddik ; With Rüdiger Heimlich ; [translated By Russell Stockman]. Translation Of: Es Gibt Nur Den Geraden Weg : Mein Leben Als Schatzhüterin Ägyptens. Includes Index. Translated From The German. Cover Contents Map of Egypt preface day s of Rage Wind in the Reeds On the Great Pyramid Dinner with Cleopatra In the Belly of the Barque The Tough Women of Lu xor At the Base of the Cathedral In the Museum The Smiles of the Blind Index