Ancient Egyptian Magic

I collect works on this subject and this is a worthy addition. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. Solid binding, decent paper — holds up to heavy use. If you're drawn to this subject, don't hesitate.

I keep coming back to this one. There's real depth here that reveals itself on a second reading. If you're drawn to this subject, don't hesitate.

Arrived faster than expected and well packaged. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point. Solid, if not essential.

As someone who reads a lot in this field, I can be picky. Some chapters demand a slow, careful read, and that's exactly the point. Some sections stopped me cold in the best way. Still worth having on the shelf.

Took a chance on this and glad I did. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. Plenty of passages worth underlining; my copy is already full of margin notes. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted.

This edition finally does the material justice. The symbolism is layered and generous to patient readers. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. I'd have loved an index, but that's on the original text. Solid, if not essential.

I keep coming back to this one. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. A text you study rather than simply read. One of my better finds this year.

Brier’s approach is refreshingly academic yet accessible, treating ancient Egyptian magic as a serious, professional discipline rather than exotic folklore. The text excels in detailing the technicalities of mummification and the precise rituals binding physical and spiritual worlds. However, readers seeking whimsical fantasy or unverified mystical secrets will likely find this too dry and rigorous. It is not for those who prefer mythologized history over archaeological fact. The book demands a willingness to accept magic as historical infrastructure rather than supernatural escape. While it successfully restores dignity to the practice through rigorous analysis, its focus on professional training and daily spells may feel dense to casual readers expecting more narrative flair or poetic interpretation of the occult.