King Ramses II distinguished himself as a warrior, builder of magnificent monuments, and model for rulers to follow. Nothing will bring his life and times into sharper focus than this breathtaking volume, filled with oversize color photos--many rare--of the ancient temples, tombs, and statuary he had constructed. Among these awe-inspiring feats of art and engineering: the astonishing hall at Karnak in Thebes; his father's funerary temple on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, as well as one for himself, called the Ramesseum; and the rock hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Close-ups showcase the incredible decorative detail carved onto the stonework, while maps and blueprints provide a detailed layout of all the structures. From a look at this proud king's military achievements and personal life to his image in modern times, this is an unforgettable portrait of a legendary figure in an exquisitely printed gift edition. ETERNAL EGYPT: This spectacular exhibit presents 144 masterpieces from the British Museum, and will be touring the United States through early 2004. It includes colossal sculptures, mummy masks, vignettes from The Book of the Dead, and much more! Don't miss it when it travels to: The Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City April 12-July 2, 2002The Palace of the Legion of Honor, SFAugust 10-November 3, 2002The Minneapolis Museum of ArtDecember 22-March 16, 2003The Walters Art Museum, BaltimoreSeptember 21-January 4, 2004