The Millionaire and the Mummies: Theodore Davis’s Gilded Age in the Valley of the Kings

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 (July)