The Millionaire and the Mummies

April 1, 2013
Egyptologist Adams offers a rounded biography of a grave robber cum archaeologist whose achievements have been buried by time. Theodore Davis’s work, though overshadowed by later excavations, was revolutionary in its methodical thoroughness, and Adams is similarly scientific in his factual resurrection of Davis’s life, presented here in two alternating timelines: Davis’s moneymaking career as a lawyer and land prospector, and his later exploits in Egypt. The split chronology subtly reveals much about a man with “relentless drive” who wasn’t satisfied simply by wealth, and who brought incredible ambition to bear on his archaeological pursuits, effectively codifying in the process a “defined discipline with a body of practices, a philosophy, and a tradition.” Throughout the book, there is a compelling tension between Davis’s uniquely American style of self-made wealth and the divinely granted kingships of the ancient Egyptian rulers; in addition to being biography, Adams’s work doubles as a comparative study of opulence and legacy-making. It’s a fresh look at Egyptology, and the author skillfully dusts off a historic life, presenting his subject as a full-bodied human. Driven, unscrupulous, and extravagant; generous, intelligent, and charming—Davis embodies the grand life of a 19th-century pharaoh. 12 b&w photos & 1 map. Agent: Jessica Papin, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

April 1, 2013
Long before Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered King Tut's tomb, Theodore Davis (1837-1915) was the driving force in the exploration of the Valley of the Kings. Adams vividly portrays the unlikely robber baron who set the standards for archaeology. The author intersperses a simple biography of the man in this chronicle of Davis' 18 major tomb finds. His account of the drive for wealth illustrates the connivance and brutality that were the M.O. of 19th-century American tycoons. While Davis never approached the wealth level of his fellow industrialists, he certainly matched them for ruthlessness, lack of scruples and downright dishonesty. He was a man who saw opportunity and grabbed it, and he watched and learned as lawyers cheated his stepfather of his copper leases, vowing to become as rich and merciless as they. He eventually controlled mineral rights to 400,000 acres in Upper Michigan, and he then set out to "collect" great riches; Egypt became his "project." Archaeological digs in that era were unscientific and often more destructive than productive, but Davis put his money to work clearing the valley from end to end. His finds included the complete tomb of Tut's great-grandparents and a gold tomb that was the richest collection to date. More importantly, he published numerous books about his findings, sharing his methodology with the scientific world. Alas, King Tut's tomb was so magnificent that it relegated Davis' finds, and the man himself, to the back of the history books. Adams presents Davis warts and all, as a callous, scheming tycoon who amassed a fortune and then did an about-face and behaved with honesty, responsibility and generosity as he transformed archaeology from glorified grave robbing to a science.

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April 1, 2013

Lord Carnarvon is well known as the wealthy patron who funded Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Forgotten is the American lawyer and wheeler-dealer who earlier financed and directed a methodical exploration of the Valley of the Kings from 1902 to 1914. Theodore M. Davis (1838-1915) and his team astounded the world with yearly discoveries of major tombs including those of Pharaoh Thutmose IV, Yuya and Thuya (grandparents of Akhenaten), and Queen Hatshepsut. Adams (founder, Southern California chapter, American Research Ctr. in Egypt) juxtaposes Davis's biography with his archaeological achievements in a fast-paced narrative that includes land deals and frauds, New York's Boss Tweed, and all the local color of turn-of-the-20th-century Egypt. Davis was the first amateur to employ professional archaeologists to carry out his excavations and to arrange for publication of the findings in a timely fashion for the edification of others. VERDICT Adams brings to life a fascinating individual and his world. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of Egyptology or America's Gilded Age. [See Prepub Alert, 1/25/13.]--Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL

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