Loved this book. All the reading I've done on Egyptology and the Valley of the Kings has always been focused on the men involved. It was so interesting to read about these strong women and their contributions to a fascinating history. It's about time the factual story includes the women who were exploring the tombs of the ancient Egyptologists.

Kathleen Sheppard has done something that those before her haven't. She's given a spotlight, voice, and insight into the women Egyptologists in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I am grateful for that. From those who first traveled to Egypt and excavated sites, to those who brought the artifacts back to other places so others could enjoy these hidden treasures, to those who helped fund the excavations, writing letters, helping with medical aid....so much that history has left out, Kathleen has brought back to the forefront and allowed us a window into what that looked like for these women in that time frame. Absolutely fascinating and highly recommend.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

An excellent volume on the history of archeology and Egyptology through the lens of women who pioneered in this field. Although this is non fiction it is written with an engaging style and one feels connected with these women in their adventures and struggles. They are among the unsung pioneers and heroes in this field. From the epilogue one of the phrases gives a terse overview : "They deserve a reckoning, these women in the Valley of the Kings."

I was hoping this book would be a great entry point for your everyday consumer who is interested in learning more about the vast world of Egyptology, however I unfortunately feel that is not the case. The structure of the book ended up feeling a bit messy, and while I understood the advantages of breaking the chapters into focusing on a certain player in the field, it became muddled because a lot of the people were concurrently active. This lead to people being mentioned in early chapters before we actually knew who they were, only to find out later in the book but now with a disconnect between their mentions. The book read more like a thesis now transitioned to a traditionally published book, and there were often moments that came across as a student trying to hit a word requirement (repetitious statements often on the same page, if not in the same paragraph; restating the same idea in two different ways to try to illustrate a point which fell flat in the end; etc.). While I did feel to have learned more about the women of Egyptology after reading the book, it was a difficult read to get through and not something I think most of my library patrons would reach for, whether for personal or professional reading.

Full disclosure - I missed the publication date because of the marketing boycott, but purchased the audiobook afterwards. I am a huge fan of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and was looking forward to a true account of female Egyptologists contemporary to the fictional character. Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I found it to be very dry and too much of a slog to get through. I was unable to finish. I wanted more of the actual Egyptology and less of the love lives of the women detailed in this book. I am sure I'd have eventually gotten to more of the Egyptology, but I could not force myself to keep listening. My star rating is based on the dry, academic tone that did not work for me, with the understanding that it make work for others.

The story of Egyptology has always seemed a story of a few great men, who they were, their discoveries, what they contributed. Women were rarely mentioned and then usually in supporting roles only, as wives or helpers, rarely if ever, with important contributions of their own. In her well-researched, well-documented book, Women in the Valley of the Kings, Kathleen Sheppard sets out to correct that oversight and does an excellent job of presenting the women who, in many ways through their contributions which included teaching, writing, monetary contributions, lecture tours, and, yes, taking part in digs, advanced the explorations, discoveries, knowledge and history of Egyptology. An interesting book that shows the other side of the story that has been missing too long and raises women to their proper and important place, not just as helpmates, but as important Egyptologists in their own right.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

"They were not women behind the men; they were, however, overshadowed."

Sheppard writes about 11 women who helped pioneer the field of Egyptology from roughly the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, with a lot of focus on the turn of the 20th century. Most did actually spend time in Egypt, working at the sites and in the tombs. Some of them, particularly the later ones, spend most of their time teaching or running organizations that allow other people (i.e., men) to do the work in the field. Sheppard follows them roughly chronologically, so the same women pop up in multiple chapters.

There's a lot of good in this book. It was fascinating learning about the women (what we could know; a lot of these women's lives have been totally lost) while also learning about how the field of Egyptology developed. Reading about how people originally visited the area, what kind of places they stayed, what kind of work they did--all really interesting. I enjoyed finding out the various kinds of work they did and the education they did (and didn't) have. Sheppard highlights how the women pioneers were regarded and does a good job including the people who worked FOR these (almost exclusively) British colonizers. I also liked her pointing out the differences in how men and women recorded their work and lives, as well as their lives themselves (the women, of course, doing not only work with the excavations but also dealing with the households, entertaining visitors, and providing medical services to people who would just show up and assume they could get help). I also liked getting a feel for the history of Egypt itself during this period, going from a colony to quasi-independent to actually independent.

All that said, I had a hard time remembering exactly who was who (this was not helped by my pausing for a few weeks in the middle of reading) and also frequently got bogged down in the details. Sheppard clearly did a lot of research, both on the women AND on the sites, and a LOT of it is included in the book, to the point of being overwhelming. (This was probably also not helped by my not having a ton of knowledge of Egyptian history.) All THAT said, I didn't find this book as dry as some other reviewers seem to have. The writing style was engaging enough...most of the time.

I'd recommend this for people who have a particular interest in Egyptology moreso than for people just interested in women's history of the Gilded Age.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I did look forward to learning about the ancient Egyptian pyramids, artifacts, excavations, and mummies. It was refreshing and exciting to know about the first women who were granted permission to excavate these sites and how involved and dedicated these women were in this field of exploration. Their successes and struggles were believable, and Sheppard put a lot of time and effort into her research in writing this book. It was also clear to me that she wanted to impart her enthusiasm for this subject and her admiration for the determination and drive of the characters. However, I found the storyline was often too academic, causing me to lose my way in this story with all the details about their work and personal lives. I was left bored at times and lost in the order of things.

3.5 STARS

As someone who is as interested in Egyptology and archeology as I am reading about women who have pushed to the footnotes of history for their significant roles in any given field, Women in the Valley of the Kings was an enticing read.

Separated into distinct sections focusing on the lives and careers of several different women, many of whom were members of the LGBTQ+ community, this work of non-fiction is almost entirely biographical. It is extremely well researched, and the women chosen are wholly unique individuals who blazed a path forward on their own during a time when women had very few rights and freedoms. They found their way in the world through a combination of intelligence, inheritance, and fortune at birth order where the expectations of marriage were not heavily placed upon them.

Although I found the book to be informative, it is really more geared toward academics of women's studies or Egyptology history. It is full of facts with little to no narrative flourish, although the author clearly did her due diligence in researching and put her heart into this book. Due to the nature of the advanced reader's copy that I was supplied, I found the lack of photos to be frustrating, however due to the extensive citations, I was easily able to look them up on the internet and it made immersion in the book much easier. The masses might be slightly bored, especially if they are expecting this to be more like Kate Moore's Radium Girls, but anyone who has enough of an interest in forgotten women of history should not pass this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kathleen Sheppard for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard is a well researched work of nonfiction. This book was packed with the history of Egyptian archaeology and gives credit to some amazing women who helped pioneer this work and some who even called Egypt home. Readers who enjoy Egyptian history should enjoy this book. It can be hard to read because it is not a continuous text. Instead, it is a series of stories about this time period. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

A page turner about some truly fabulous women. Ms. Sheppard has penned a wonderful look at the lives of some truly memorable women. I hope people get a chance to read this wonderful book. 5 Stars !!

Women in the Valley of the Kings is a nonfiction book about the history of Egyptology and the impact that women have had on the field. I've been interested in Ancient Egypt and Egyptology for years but most of the people you hear about are the famous men and their findings. I didn't realize how many women were involved in the field and how their finds and research impacted others. I would recommend this to those studying Egyptology and those who have an interest in the field.

Archeology in Egypt has completely evolved over the past century. At one time, anyone and everyone could plunder a historical site and bring home ancient artifacts with no regard for preservation. This free-for-all was slowly tempered down, and most if not all historical sites and excavations are now under strict control.
What Ms. Sheppard brings to light with this informative book are the unknown women who played a big role in respecting archeological sites, the study of Egyptian history, and the documentation that helped build our knowledge of ancient Egypt. During what was dubbed “The Golden Age of Exploration”, a few women were instrumental in discovering, preserving, and documenting history, but they were never given the credit. Theirs was a tough world to live in; the heavy clothing and cloaks they had to wear in the heat of Egypt, the look and ostracization by the public for these ladies with messy hair, covered in dust, doing what no ladylike woman had any business doing.
With pages of footnotes, hours of study, and eloquent writing, Ms. Sheppard shines a light on these early archeologists, giving them their rightful place in history.
Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is July 16, 2024.

Women in the Valley of the Kings
By Kathleen Sheppard

Anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt – the pyramids, the temples, the tombs and treasures discovered by such "great" men as Howard Carter (Tut's tomb) and Napoleon (the Rosetta stone) - knows that the major finds were excavated by predominantly western men. English, French, Americans and others. They pillaged the sites and took many of the treasures out of Egypt to prevent them from falling into the hands of the so-called barbaric Egyptians. This was a travesty that Egyptologists and the Egyptian people are still today trying to rectify.

There arose a group of female Egyptologists from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century, who did much to mitigate the harm done by the slapdash methods employed by their male counterparts in their treatment of the digs and the artifacts recovered. The women – such as Lucie Duff Gordon and Maggie Benson – initially came to Egypt seeking a cure for lung problems like tuberculosis in the dry desert climate. But, while there, they fell under the spell of the ancient sites. They and other women who followed them managed to take things in hand, cataloging the finds, repairing what was damaged and finding homes in which to preserve the antiquities. Without their efforts, much of what was discovered might have been lost. The greatness of the male Egyptologists rest to a large degree on the work of these women. This book is a tribute to those generally forgotten women who contributed so much.

In this incredible work of historical biography, Kathleen Sheppard brings women Egyptologists from the nineteenth century to life in this incredible book. Long forgotten by history and by the Egyptology they helped create, Sheppard reintroduces these women and their contributions to Egyptology to her readers. Breaking the status quo, challenging society, and making incredible historical discoveries, women like Amelai Edwards, Jenny Lane, and Marianne Brocklehurst are more than just Egyptologists; they rebel against gender roles, heterosexuality, ideas of female education and travel, and much more during their lifetimes. Sheppard manages to keep these women’s stories separate from each other (until they intersect, of course), and the wealth of historical information and documentation she draws upon adds to the detail found in this book. Incredibly hard to put down, Sheppard explores the long-lasting and far-reaching contributions women made to Egyptology and to women’s lives in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in this book, making it relevant elsewhere in British history. Her prose is incredibly straightforward and the language is not complicated, making this an approachable book for several types of readers. Incredibly detailed, well-written, and entertaining, this book was fascinating and so hard to put down -- definitely worth it!

Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard highlights the overlooked contributions of pioneering women who ventured into Egyptology during the Gilded Age. From early travelers like Amelia Edwards to trailblazers such as Maggie Benson, the first woman to excavate in Egypt, these women faced oppression and exclusion but ultimately paved the way for future generations. Their successes not only challenged the male-dominated narrative of Egyptian exploration but also reshaped the field of Egyptology forever.

I’ve been fascinated by Ancient Egypt and Egyptology for some time. I’m also interested in the Gilded Age, so I thought this would be an interesting combination of interests. Parts of it were, but I was expecting more details on the work these women did.

There was an odd focus on their personal lives, and I did not enjoy the details of their relationships/romances/sexuality. Diaries are mentioned and occasionally quoted, but I would have liked to have seen more.

Overall, it was interesting but I don’t feel as though I learned more than I already knew.

In “Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age,” Kathleen Sheppard reveals the pivotal yet overlooked role women made to the field of Egyptology. Long before the “rockstars” like Howard Carter, many women pioneered the field, including Amelia Edwards, Maggie Benson, Margaret Murray, and others. Sheppard’s book details the challenges these women faced and their significant achievements, including groundbreaking excavations and academic advancements. By focusing on their stories, Sheppard offers a compelling revision of the traditional Egyptology narrative, celebrating the courage and expertise of these trailblazing women who profoundly influenced the study of ancient Egypt.

“Women in the Valley of the Kings” is organized into seven chapters, each focusing on a different woman who helped develop the field of Egyptology. The chapters are arranged chronologically, providing readers with a structured narrative that highlights the evolving contributions of these trailblazing women. There is some overlap and interactions between of the women, which Sheppard notes. Each chapter really dives into the personal experiences, challenges, and achievements of its subject, offering a rich and detailed account of their impact on the field. Sheppard’s thorough research and in-depth exploration reveal the thankless roles these women played in the academic and archaeological fields.

The book is undoubtedly a valuable addition to both Egyptology and women's history, some readers might find certain chapters a bit dry, with a tone that can occasionally feel more formal than engaging. Despite this, Sheppard's expertise and dedication to uncovering these untold stories shine through. Her work is a compelling testament to the resilience and accomplishments of these early female Egyptologists. For anyone with an interest in Egyptology or the contributions of women in academia and archaeology, “Women in the Valley of the Kings” is a great fit.

The author tells the history of strong women, many of whom come to Egypt for the climate to help with medical issues. While in Egypt, they visit excavations, to study and learn and return to Egypt to begin their own explorations. Women, in this time period, are often given tasks during excavations that have to do with copying/drawing some of the wall paintings; organizing and categorizing finds, keeping records.
. These women were rarely credited with the infinite work and record keeping that were used by male archeologists to further their work.
This book tells their story as it should have originally been told.

Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age
Author: Kathleen Sheppard
(This review is based on an ARC sent to me by NetGalley)
This is the never-before-told story of the women Egyptologists who paved the way of exploration in Egypt and created the basis for Egyptology.
During the so-called Golden Age of Exploration, there were women working and exploring before Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut. Before men even conceived of claiming the story for themselves, women were working in Egypt to lay the groundwork for all future exploration.
Kathleen Sheppard brings the untold stories of these women back into this narrative. Sheppard begins with some of the earliest European women who ventured to Egypt as travelers: Amelia Edwards, Jenny Lane, and Marianne Brocklehurst. Their travelogues, diaries and maps chronicled a new world for the curious. In the vast desert, Maggie Benson, the first woman granted permission to excavate in Egypt, met Nettie Gourlay, the woman who became her lifelong companion. They battled issues of oppression and exclusion and, ultimately, are credited with excavating the Temple of Mut.
Emma Andrews' success as a patron and archaeologist helped to pave the way for Margaret Murray to teach. Margaret's work in the university led to the artists Amice Calverley's and Myrtle Broome's ability to work on site at Abydos, creating brilliant reproductions of tomb art, and to Kate Bradbury's and Caroline Ransom's leadership in critical Egyptological institutions.
The women ended up making a legacy for themselves and for the women who came after them and for the discipline of Egyptology.

As a big fan of the fictional Lady Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, I was really interested to find out about her real-life counterparts. While the majority of the women highlighted here were operating in administrative or scholarly roles rather than "active" on-site exploration activities, this really illustrated just how vital these women were to the advancement of Egyptology as a fledgling science. My favorite chapter was that of Caroline Ransom Williams, the first woman to get a PhD in Egyptology, and who was the "assistant" curator of the Met who oversaw the installation of the Temple of Perneb while the official (male) curator was off playing in the sand. Similarly, I enjoyed learning about Margaret Alice Murray, who came to University College London to study Egyptology, determined that she'd have to learn on her own because the existing instruction was inadequate, and very shortly ending up running the entire Egyptology department and developing its curriculum, while the so-called "head", Flinders Petrie, was off in Egypt. And of course it's the mens' names who persist through popular history, even though they could not have accomplished half of what they did without women rounding up funding and taking care of things at home. I appreciated the chance to learn more about the women behind the scenes who helped Egyptology become what it is.