Napoleon’s Pyramids
Paris, 1798. When American adventurer, sharpshooter and gambler Ethan Gage wins a supposedly cursed ancient Egyptian medallion, and then refuses to sell it to the powerful Count Silvano, he little realizes the trouble it will bring. Within hours, he’s framed for murder and must flee for his life. He finds himself sailing with Bonaparte on his mission to conquer Egypt and joins the group of savants invited to record the Egyptian antiquities. Soon it’s clear that a number of people, including Silvano, are on the trail of the medallion – and they will stop at nothing. What is the medallion’s secret? What does the beautiful slave, Astiza, know about it? And who can Ethan trust?
This, the first of Ethan Gage’s adventures, sets a cracking pace. There are some splendid set pieces – the battle of Aboukir Bay, for example, where Nelson destroyed the French Navy; Ethan’s nail-biting desert flight to escape a band of Mamelukes intent on killing him; and a chilling and murderous chase inside the great pyramid.
Dietrich intriguingly interweaves various modern theories about the astrological significance and purpose of the great pyramid, Freemasonry ideas about its ancient power, together with contemporary 18th century discoveries by the French savants, the fathers of modern Egyptian archaeology. The result is a powerful story which combines mathematics, astronomy, astrology, mysticism and a large dose of murderous human greed. It’s a terrific read and I particularly enjoyed the whistle-stop tour through late 18th century history, politics and personalities. Ethan, a one-time apprentice of Benjamin Franklin, meets with Sir Sidney Smith, renowned naval captain and British secret agent, Admiral Nelson, soon to be created Baron Nelson of the Nile for his victory at Aboukir Bay, and Bonaparte himself. If I found the mathematics baffling at times, that in no way diminished my pleasure.
