The Rosetta Key

by William Dietrich

Book Overview

"An utterly captivating romp from the treacherous tunnels beneath Jerusalem to the lost City of Ghosts (Petra, Jordan) to the tumult of revolutionary Paris....Dietrich spins a merry magical mystery... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061239550
• ISBN13: 9780061239557
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 339 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Another great adventure from Ethan Gage

This is the second adventure of Ethan Gage in the Middle East. It's part a historical novel set at the end of 18th century with Napoleonic flavor, part Indiana Jones like a drift. The book is a page-turner and although it will not appease classical history buffs, it should definitely cater to those who love easy adventure, romance, history, and a bit of the mystery. I cannot wait to read the 3rd part!!!

Very Good

The book is typical of the authors work. It is very good and frendly to the reader. His books have been very engrossing and a pleasure to read.

A nonstop adventure set in Napoleonic Egypt

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte set forth to invade and conquer the Holy Land following his successful conquest of Egypt the year before. The difference in this attack is that Napoleon is set apart from his own navy, which had gone down to defeat at the hands of the British Commander, Admiral Nelson. Bonaparte gambled on the premise that a relatively small group of dedicated fighters would be enough to overthrow the Ottoman Empire. If successful in this endeavor, Napoleon would have had the power to change the face of world history and permanently affect the balance of power in the European empire. He did not expect that an unlikely alliance of British, Muslim and French royalists in the city of Acre were preparing to make a stand to stop his siege. This event is the centerpiece of THE ROSETTA KEY. William Dietrich returns to the familiar genre of historical fiction as the background of this engaging and fast-moving novel. Even though THE ROSETTA KEY is a sequel to NAPOLEON'S PYRAMIDS, it may be enjoyed as a stand-alone tale. The hero this time is American adventurer Ethan Gage, who is sort of like a cross between Indiana Jones and Jack Sparrow --- including all the wisecracks and sarcasm. Gage finds himself torn in allegiance between following Napoleon's French forces and supporting the British military that is opposing Bonaparte. The bottom line for Gage is that he is involved in this saga due to his own pursuit of adventure and treasure --- and switches allegiances so many times that you begin to lose count. In addition to reclaiming his lost love, Astiza (who was taken from him at the end of NAPOLEON'S PYRAMIDS), Gage is on the trail of the ancient Book of Thoth - which may hold the key to immortality. He is told of an ancient tale that involved the infamous Knights Templar during the Crusades and how their pursuit of the Holy Grail may have ended with their discovery of The Book of Thoth. The story indicates that the Holy Grail has been described as many different objects over time --- even an ancient book. Following clues that he finds during his adventures through the Holy Land, Gage learns that he is not alone in its pursuit. Apparently, Napoleon has been made aware of the Book and the promise of immortality and endless power it may bring to whoever possesses it. Gage and his small band of allies set off in pursuit of The Book of Thoth --- which is actually a scroll said to have been stolen from the Great Pyramid by Moses and carried by the Jews to their new kingdom of Israel 3,000 years earlier. The American expatriate discovers that finding the scroll isn't the difficult part --- it's the interpretation of text written in a long-dead language that provides the biggest hurdle. Gage is told of a Rosetta Key that can be used as the template for interpreting this ancient scroll. What's more interesting in this tale is the fact that the Rosetta Key is in the possession of Gage's small group of allies --- in an unexpected form. Gage is a mor

Excellent sequel to Napoleon's Pyramids

Sometimes you hold your breath at a sequel of a really good book. Can the author recapture the magic of the first? You needn't worry about this one-it is as nonstop as the first Ethan Gage book, and then some. I think Indiana Jones would have a hard time keeping up with the search for the Book of Thoth! That is the magical book Ethan, Astiza, the mysterious priestess of Isis, Silano, the brilliant, evil man who wants to master the world when he masters the mystery of the Book of Thoth, and of course, Napoleon Bonaparte, without his wish to conquer as Alexander the Great did, would never have made history in Egypt, or made a plot for this book or given us knowledge of ancient Egypt. The Rosetta Stone. To me it is one of the most wonderful historical artifacts I have ever seen. The first time I saw it in the British Museum, light years ago, the guard said 'Go ahead and touch it - it's just stone!' - Okay - I touched the stone and was thrilled. Now it is under glass, protected. It is the key to the ancient language of the Egyptians, all due to Napoleon's people finding it. The Ptolemy family, which Cleopatra was the last Pharoah, was one of the few of that line that wanted to learn the old ways. Through the Greek on the stone, that even I can read a little, the matching words were worked out. I see wonderful things! All of history opened up! Dietrich has captured the time of Napoleon in Egypt and the Middle East and brought Ethan Gage, who once had Benjamin Frankin as a mentor, to a place where the mysteries of the medallion, and the knowledge of power beyond any comprehension lays. It is a fun book, with history sprinkled in. Gage plays side again side (France against England) so many times, your head it spinning, but you want more. The ending has fans wanting more too - and I hope Dietrich is working hard on it - Wonderful read!

terrific historical thriller

In 1799 he was fortunate to survive the evil of NAPOLEON'S PYRAMIDS thanks to a hot air balloon ride across the Sahara but now expatriate Ethan Gage is in danger again in the Holy Land as Napoleon's army march towards Jerusalem. Gage and Bonaparte had gotten into a dispute over the Great Pyramid power leading to the French dictator proclaiming him an enemy of the state. Napoleon's followers Count Alessandro Silano and his aide Pierre Najac declare Gage a dangerous traitor to France placing a price for his head. Knowing the peril he faces, Gage fears more for his former lover Astiza as a pawn if the lethal sorcerer Silano captures her. Thus he rushes to Jerusalem to keep her safe, which fits with his other quest perfectly as he follows clues in search of the revered legendary Book of Thoth, an ancient tome that allegedly knows the magical underlying secrets of the universe. Using real persona, sites and events (not just Napoleon), William Dietrich writes a terrific historical thriller starring a late eighteenth century Hans Solo impish rogue. The story line is fast-paced but also brings alive the Holy Land. This is one series worth reading as Mr. Dietrich provides THE ROSETTA KEY to how Napoleon consolidated his power. Harriet Klausner