Dinner with King Tut

How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations

De: Sam Kean

Narrado por: Derek Shetterly

From “one of America’s smartest and most charming writers” (NPR), an archaeological romp through the entire history of humankind—and through all five senses—from tropical Polynesian islands to forbidding arctic ice floes, and everywhere in between.

Whether it’s the mighty pyramids of Egypt or the majestic temples of Mexico, we have a good idea of what the past looked like. But what about our other senses: The tang of Roman fish sauce and the springy crust of Egyptian sourdough? The boom of medieval cannons and the clash of Viking swords? The frenzied plays of an Aztec ballgame...and the chilling reality that the losers might also lose their lives?

History often neglects the tastes, textures, sounds, and smells that were an intimate part of our ancestors’ lives, but a new generation of researchers is resurrecting those hidden details, pioneering an exciting new discipline called experimental archaeology. These are scientists gone rogue: They make human mummies. They investigate the unsolved murders of ancient bog bodies. They carve primitive spears and go hunting, then knap their own obsidian blades to skin the game. They build perilous boats and plunge out onto the open sea—all in the name of experiencing history as it was, with all its dangers, disappointments, and unexpected delights.

Beloved author Sam Kean joins these experimental archaeologists on their adventures across the globe, from the Andes to the South Seas. He fires medieval catapults, tries his hand at ancient surgery and tattooing, builds Roman-style roads—and, in novelistic interludes, spins gripping tales about the lives of our ancestors with vivid imagination and his signature meticulous research.

Lively, offbeat, and filled with stunning revelations about our past, Dinner with King Tut sheds light on days long gone and the intrepid experts resurrecting them today, with startling, lifelike detail and more than a few laughs along the way.

©2025 Sam Kean (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

“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

Bringing ancient history alive

I've enjoyed all of Sam Kean's books, and this one is maybe the most interesting of them all. The fictional vignettes were wonderful glimpses into aspects of people's lives throughout history. I was riveted. also really appreciate that he was game to try so many of the foods, pastimes and technologies from these cultures.

Interesting story and great narration

I really enjoyed this book even though I felt like the author was obsessed with the ancient practice of cutting various body parts to relieve pressure. The story was well-written and even the non-fiction parts read like fiction.

Another great book by Sam Kean!

Entertainment and education. Interesting. Well told and good narration. Worth my time. Would recommend to family and friends.

Sam is like the Anthony Bourdain of Archeology

The narration was great and Sam’s writing is even better than his previous books. I loved each story included and found the experiments described fascinating! It was so exciting to hear the perspective of all the experts included as well. Even my partner, who is skeptical of audio books, found it interesting when I was listening to it on a long drive. Overall 5/5

Incredibly interesting, however crude the delivery

First, the information was 10/10 I had no idea what experimental archeology was, now I do!
That being said… I found myself clutching my pearls several times in this book. My inner Karen was triggered as I had the reoccurring misfortune of eating while listening to the more graphic scenes. Over all though, it was incredible information. A better title would’ve been “a boys guide to ancient survival practices” but then it probably wouldn’t have sold as well lol. 6/10 recommend if you are a survivalist.

Blew me away

It took me forever to get through this book. Because i kept going back and listening to chapters again before i moved on to the next one! Amazing read. Loved it. Have recommended it all over the place.

Not a fan of the fiction that’s intertwined.

I’ve loved every Sam Kean book that’s out there, but I really struggled to get into the fiction stories that get intertwined with this one.

It's no Disappearing Spoon

This was the worst in a line of very good books. It was captivating at times and the stories tied into the science well. At other times it was forgettable. I would walk away and when I started listening again (within a day) I would barely remember the start of story he was telling.
He also strangely threw shade at some decent theories that certainly have at least some truth to them. For example, he writes that it was not "guns, germs, and steel" that conquered the new world. (a poke at Jarod Diamonds book of the same name) Then explains why cannons were so important. Even though most people would consider that in the "guns" category. He goes on to say a quick bit about horses and then says it was "Steel, Animals, and Germs Germs Germs that conquered the new world". it read as just being critical rather than a critique.
All said it was a good book but it was not up to the very high standard that I have set based on previous Sam Kean books (I have read all of his books)

Not what I hoped for.

This author has great talent for making boring subjects interesting, but he managed to make an interesting subject boring in this book.

The best of science and history in one book!

Dinner with King Tut is a wonderfully written, thoroughly engaging book. I’ve enjoyed several of Sam Kean’s books, but this one especially resonated with me. His rich factual detail, creative storytelling, and humor make the past truly come alive. It's both highly informative and entertaining—a perfect example of how good science and history writing should work. And the narration was excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves learning and wants to see history in a new light.