Royal Mummies in the Egyptian Museum by Salima Ikram and Aidan Dodson has just 58 pages, but they pack a wallop: almost every royal mummy housed in Cairo's Egyptian Museum is shown in historical photographs. They range from Taa II (about 1555 B.C., Dynasty 17) to Pinudjem II (about 985-969 B.C., Dynasty 21) and two of his wives (one also his sister).

The book summarizes what Egyptologists know about these mummies (their lives, deaths, and rediscoveries). A brief introduction presents an overview of mummification techniques and the chronology of major mummy discoveries in modern times. An excellent 6-page full-color section (with 20 photos) illustrates many objects associated with mummification--including golden finger coverings and an embalming cut decorations.

But the real treats in the book are the 36 mummies presented up close and personally. Each has a black and white photo (taken about the time of discovery) and a two paragraph summary of the person's life, discovery, and mummification analysis.

You'll read (and see) how Seqenenre Taa II died in battle, how Siptah had a shortened left leg (possibly caused by cerebral palsy or polio), how Ramesses VI suffered at the hands (and knives) of graverobbers, and how Henttawy was overpacked with sawdust and something "cheese-like" (!). An excellent resource.