University of California Press How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Hardcover Review
A 192 page revised hardcover guide teaching readers to read Egyptian hieroglyphs step by step, with illustrations throughout.
| Publisher | University of California Press |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mark Collier, Bill Manley |
| Illustrator | Richard Parkinson |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Edition | First Edition, Revised |
| Pages | 192 |
| Best for | Self-directed learners wanting a structured, step-by-step approach to reading Egyptian hieroglyphs without formal coursework |
Product Overview
This title is explicitly structured as a step-by-step guide, positioning it as a self-teaching course in reading Egyptian hieroglyphs rather than a general-interest overview of ancient Egyptian culture.
The listing credits two authors, Mark Collier and Bill Manley, with Richard Parkinson credited separately as illustrator, confirming the guide combines written instruction with dedicated illustrated material throughout.
Being specifically labeled a revised edition confirms this printing has been updated since its original publication, under the title's own First Edition, Revised designation.
At 192 pages, this is a substantial but focused single volume, sized for a structured course of study rather than either a brief pamphlet or an exhaustive academic reference.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Organized as a sequential course of lessons rather than an alphabetically arranged reference dictionary.
Mark Collier and Bill Manley are both named as authors in the listing's byline information.
Richard Parkinson provides dedicated illustrated material alongside the written instruction.
Carries the First Edition, Revised designation, signaling updated content relative to the original printing.
Sized for a structured course of study rather than a brief pamphlet or exhaustive academic reference.
Suited to the kind of repeated reference consultation a teach-yourself guide typically receives.
Design and Build Quality
Hardcover binding at this page count gives the book durability suited to repeated reference use, since a teach-yourself guide is typically consulted many times over a study period rather than read once straight through.
The stated dimensions describe a compact, moderately tall hardcover footprint, sized similarly to other reference-style guides rather than an oversized textbook.
At just over a pound, this is a manageably light hardcover despite its page count, easy to keep on a desk for regular reference during study sessions.
Richard Parkinson's separate illustrator credit confirms the guide includes dedicated illustrated material, consistent with how a hieroglyph-reading course needs visual reference alongside written instruction.
Performance in Everyday Use
The step-by-step guide framing stated directly in the title is the structural feature that distinguishes this book from a general reference work, suggesting a sequential course of lessons rather than an alphabetically organized dictionary-style reference.
Two credited authors, Collier and Manley, working alongside a separately credited illustrator, Parkinson, suggests a collaborative structure where the written instructional content and the illustrated reference material were both deliberately built together for this guide.
No feature text accompanies this particular listing, which means readers evaluating the book from the product page alone have only the title, edition designation and contributor credits to go on rather than descriptive marketing copy about specific lesson content.
Being a revised edition specifically matters for anyone comparing this against the original unrevised printing, since a revised teach-yourself guide typically reflects updated teaching approaches or corrections relative to the first printing.
Overall the edition data describes a focused, illustrated, revised self-teaching guide built specifically around a sequential step-by-step method for learning to read hieroglyphs.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page count | 192 pages | Listing states the book runs to 192 pages | 8.8 | Sized for a structured course of study rather than a brief pamphlet or exhaustive academic reference |
| Edition status | First Edition, Revised | Listing records the edition as First Edition, Revised | 9.0 | Signals updated content relative to the original unrevised printing |
| Author credits | Collier, Mark and Manley, Bill | Listing's byline information names both Collier, Mark and Manley, Bill as authors | 8.8 | Confirms the written instructional content is credited to two named authors |
| Illustrator credit | Parkinson, Richard | Listing's byline information names Parkinson, Richard in the illustrator role | 8.7 | Confirms dedicated illustrated material accompanies the written instruction throughout |
| Binding | Hardcover | Listing classifies the binding as Hardcover | 8.6 | Durable enough for the repeated reference consultation a teach-yourself guide typically receives |
| Weight | 1.2 lb | Listing states item weight of roughly 1.2 pounds | 8.4 | A manageably light hardcover despite its page count, easy to keep on a desk for regular reference |
| Publisher | University of California Press | Listing attributes the brand as University of California Press | 8.5 | Identifies an academic publisher consistent with the book's structured, scholarly teach-yourself approach |
Who Should Buy It
- Self-directed learners of ancient Egyptian writing
- Students supplementing formal coursework
- Readers wanting a structured, sequential method
- Desk reference during an extended study period
- Anyone upgrading from the original unrevised edition
- Collectors of academic reference hardcovers
- Readers wanting a casual picture-led overview rather than a structured teach-yourself course
- No feature text accompanies this specific listing
- Not a casual general-interest overview
- Requires sustained, sequential study to complete
- Hardcover costs more to replace if damaged than paperback
- No stated supplementary audio or digital component in the listing
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | University of Californ | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Step-by-step sequential course | Alphabetical reference dictionary | Sequential course |
| Edition status | Revised | Original unrevised printing | Revised |
| Authorship | Two authors plus illustrator | Single contributor | Multiple contributors |
| Binding | Hardcover | Paperback | Hardcover |
| Length | 192 pages | Shorter pamphlet | Similar length |
| Weight | 1.2 lb | Heavier reference book | Similar weight |
| Subject focus | Specific, hieroglyphs only | Broad Egyptology overview | Specific focus |
| Feature text provided | None | Detailed | None |
Alternatives Worth a Look
At 192 pages in a revised hardcover edition, this guide is built specifically as a step-by-step course for teaching yourself to read Egyptian hieroglyphs, with Mark Collier and Bill Manley's written instruction paired with Richard Parkinson's separately credited illustrations. The revised designation signals updated content relative to the original printing, and the manageably light hardcover format suits regular desk reference during study. No feature text accompanies the listing, so expectations should rest on the title, edition designation and contributor credits alone, but the structured teach-yourself framing is exactly what the title promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a step-by-step course or a reference dictionary?
The title explicitly frames it as a step-by-step guide, meaning it is organized as a sequential course of lessons rather than an alphabetically arranged reference dictionary.
Who wrote and illustrated this guide?
Mark Collier and Bill Manley are credited as authors, with Richard Parkinson credited separately as illustrator in the listing's byline information.
Is this a revised edition?
Yes, the listing records the edition as First Edition, Revised, signaling updated content relative to the original printing.
How long is the guide?
192 pages, sized for a structured course of study rather than a brief pamphlet or exhaustive academic reference.
What binding does this edition use?
Hardcover, which is durable enough for the repeated reference consultation a teach-yourself guide typically receives.
How heavy is the book?
The listing states an item weight of roughly 1.2 pounds, manageably light for regular desk reference during study.
Who publishes this guide?
University of California Press is credited as the publisher, an academic press consistent with the book's structured approach.
Does the listing describe the lesson content in detail?
No, this particular listing provides no feature text, so evaluating the guide's specific lesson content from the product page alone means relying on the title, edition designation and contributor credits.
This review is based on the publisher's stated specifications for this edition, the current product listing and its images, the stated page count, binding, edition designation, dimensions, weight and contributor credits, plus our own general knowledge of how step-by-step self-teaching language guides are typically structured. It is editorial analysis of the edition itself, not an evaluation of its specific instructional content, and we have noted that no feature text accompanies this listing.