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Title: Motel of the Mysteries
ISBN: 0395284252
Author:
David Macaulay
Publicate Date: 1979-10-11
Publish: 1979-10-11
List Price: $13.00
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $5.49
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.99
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.40
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Brilliant Send-Up
I attended the premiere of this book at the University of Pennsylvania many, many years ago due to my parent's donations to the local public television station. As I was in junior high school at the time, I failed to appreciate this work in all its subtle humour and glory, but having since studied anthropology and sociology at the University level, I realise how great this book really is.
The general plot line of this book is that due to a decrease in the charge to mail fourth-class (junk) mail, the American civilization is buried under flyers, pizza hut coupons, and copies of the Weekly World News. Thousands of years later, archaeologists stumble across what they believe to be a perfectly preserved mortuary complex... however, those in our time would recognize it as a no-tell motel. The book, clearly drawing from Lord Carnarvon's discovery of the tomb of Tut in 1922 ("I see wonderful things!...") chronicles the discovery, excavation, and extraordinary mis-characterization of the "artifacts" found within one of the motel rooms.
For anyone who loves Egyptology, this is simply a MUST read.
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2: Motel of the Mysteries
It was recomended by a teacher friend. It's quirky, funny & full of imagination. I have read books by Elisabeth Peters on archeology & discovering Egyption tombs so I enjoyed this because it challenges the imagination on what future scientists might discover about our civilization.
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3: this book is a "scream!"
When this book first was published, the Hotel Technology department head inadvertently had the college library purchase this book for the department. When it arrived we laughed hysterically about it, and many times, I have laughed about it ever since.
Two years ago, I ordered a copy for the library where I am currently a Children's Librarian. It did not even make it to the "stacks", someone
liked it so much they "permanently borrowed" it.
If you need a good laugh...!
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4: Gentle poke at our preconceptions
I've carried my copy of this book over many moves. It grows on me each time I read it. Originally it seemed just a humourous retelling of the Carter discovery of Tutankhamun and the Egyptian hysteria that accompanies it. Later on, after getting much more involved in arguments over interpretations of Roman historical artifacts, I realized how to the point the book is about the way we see the past and argue over the meaning of what we see. Still really funny though.
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5: Join in the mysteries!
The 41st Century is full of mysteries. Like what happened to Ancient Yankees who lived in North America? Why did they die out and how did they live. One day a tomb, untouched, is found and it gives us a glimpse of what these Ancient Yankees were like in the 20th Century. Sacred items, musical instruments, and the sacred point will make you laugh and wonder how much of OUR knowledge is based on such conclusions?
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