Dinner with King Tut

“No writer ranks higher than Sam Kean on the ‘You Will Learn Something New and Weird on Every Page’-o-meter.”—Ken Jennings, host of Jeopardy!

"A visceral, exhilarating, and sweeping tour de force that will tantalize all five of your senses, and some you never knew you had.This is an essential—and sensual—read for anyone who would relish a hands-on experience with the past."—Lindsey Fitzharris, author of The Facemaker and The Butchering Art

"The science writer Sam Kean’s all-in approach to research is evident not only from the ink on the pages of his books but from the ink on his skin...'Above all,' he writes, 'I hope this book can reveal what unites us today with people from long ago, and help us understand that they were just people, no different than us.' That’s a lofty goal, but one fully in keeping with the empathy Mr. Kean is quick to show not only his historical subjects, but the sometimes quirky researchers he meets in our own era."—The Wall Street Journal

“Kean, the bestselling author of Caesar’s Last Breath, makes history come alive, looking at the fledgling field of experimental archaeology, where researchers immerse themselves in the past — carving primitive spears or going to sea on rudimentary boats — to better understand it.”—The New York Post

"[V]ery hard to put down. A fast-paced, vividly written tale that brings lost civilizations into sharp focus."—Kirkus (starred review)

"[A] charming romp through the world of experimental archaeology...This idiosyncratic and impressively researched account takes readers to the fringes of knowledge production, revealing along the way that there is as much art as there is science to the study of history. It’s a delight."—Publishers Weekly

"Popular science writer Kean, who most recently delved into the exploits of sinister scientists in The Icepick Surgeon (2021), turns his sharp eye to experimental archaeology in this blend of lively factual chronicles that revive the past and fictional interludes depicting how our ancestors hunted, battled, and lived….Kean makes a powerful case for how vital the experimental archaeologists' work is in giving us a better understanding of the past."—Booklist

"What makes Dinner with King Tut unique (as if DIYing a mummy isn’t enough) are the stories in each chapter that illustrate a typical (or not-so-typical) ‘day in the life’ of various imaginary protagonists. One might be wary of mixing nonfiction with fiction, but in this context, it is both effective and affecting. Through witty prose, colorful characters, and a narrative that links to each chapter’s theme, Kean adds depth and human dimension to the book. (But beware: Just like in real life, not every interlude ends happily.)”—The Washington Independent Review of Books