Cleopatra’s Needles

The Lost Obelisks of Egypt

By: Bob Brier PhD

Narrated by: Christopher Douyard

In the half-century between 1831 and 1881 three massive obelisks left Egypt for new lands. Prior to these journeys, the last large obelisk moved was the Vatican obelisk in 1586—one of the great engineering achievements of the Renaissance. Roman emperors moved more than a dozen, but left no records of how they did it. The nineteenth-century engineers entrusted with transporting the obelisks across oceans had to invent new methods, far from certain that they would work. As the three obelisks, bound for Paris, London, and New York, sailed towards their new homes, the world held its breath. Newspapers reported the obelisks' daily progress, complete with illustrations of the heroic deeds of the engineers and crews struggling under nearly impossible conditions. When the obelisks arrived safely in their new homes, bands played Cleopatra's Needle Waltz and silver obelisk pencils dangled from fashionable ladies' necks.

This turbulent era, caught up in obelisk mania, is recreated by Bob Brier in all its glory. Amid tales of engineering dexterity and naval endurance, the individuals involved in transporting the obelisks and receiving them in their future homes are brought to life through their letters and diaries and newspaper articles. This book will fascinate all those interested in Egypt, its iconic monuments, and the history of great endeavor.

©2016 Bob Brier (P)2023 Tantor

Thrillingly Informative

I’ve truly enjoyed Bob’s Briers books and you will also. I prefer when Bob Brier narrates his own books, Bobs voice has a way of pulling you in and indulging the senses.

Wow… a true history lesson, with a bit of everything!!

Loved the book… Kings modern & ancient, & political deals made & broken, high stakes gambling on nothing but self confidence… adventure on the high seas… & clear descriptions of technical feats, really help give this book its life blood! Loved it & will most certainly listen again!!

Making the unknown known again

Making the unknown known again. Great engineering feats by the cultures of the western world.

I can hear you breathe

the worst audio narrator ever. you hear every breathe like he is gasping for air. it is so distracting that I can't focus on the story. honestly, where was the production editor?

Make the gasping go away!

I am a huge fan of Dr. Brier and I feel like he was cheated by the impossible narration. I found myself enjoying the material and loathing the narration due to all the very loud gasps whenever the narration reached a pause. Really too bad. Makes me sad. Made me so anxious.