• Cleopatra’s Needles

  • The Lost Obelisks of Egypt
  • By: Bob Brier PhD
  • Narrated by: Christopher Douyard
  • Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Cleopatra’s Needles  By  cover art

Cleopatra’s Needles

By: Bob Brier PhD
Narrated by: Christopher Douyard
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.49

Buy for $17.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In the half-century between 1831 and 1881 three massive obelisks left Egypt for new lands. Prior to these journeys, the last large obelisk moved was the Vatican obelisk in 1586—one of the great engineering achievements of the Renaissance. Roman emperors moved more than a dozen, but left no records of how they did it. The nineteenth-century engineers entrusted with transporting the obelisks across oceans had to invent new methods, far from certain that they would work. As the three obelisks, bound for Paris, London, and New York, sailed towards their new homes, the world held its breath. Newspapers reported the obelisks' daily progress, complete with illustrations of the heroic deeds of the engineers and crews struggling under nearly impossible conditions. When the obelisks arrived safely in their new homes, bands played Cleopatra's Needle Waltz and silver obelisk pencils dangled from fashionable ladies' necks.

This turbulent era, caught up in obelisk mania, is recreated by Bob Brier in all its glory. Amid tales of engineering dexterity and naval endurance, the individuals involved in transporting the obelisks and receiving them in their future homes are brought to life through their letters and diaries and newspaper articles. This book will fascinate all those interested in Egypt, its iconic monuments, and the history of great endeavor.

©2016 Bob Brier (P)2023 Tantor

What listeners say about Cleopatra’s Needles

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thrillingly Informative

I’ve truly enjoyed Bob’s Briers books and you will also. I prefer when Bob Brier narrates his own books, Bobs voice has a way of pulling you in and indulging the senses.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow… a true history lesson, with a bit of everything!!

Loved the book… Kings modern & ancient, & political deals made & broken, high stakes gambling on nothing but self confidence… adventure on the high seas… & clear descriptions of technical feats, really help give this book its life blood! Loved it & will most certainly listen again!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I can hear you breathe

the worst audio narrator ever. you hear every breathe like he is gasping for air. it is so distracting that I can't focus on the story. honestly, where was the production editor?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator appears to have a breathing disorder

Interesting story but ruined by the narrator. Very audible inhalation at the end of every sentence.
Hard to believe a reputable company would allow this to be released.
Why is narrator pronouncing it "albolisk"?SMH

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful