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 tour, winningly intricate and anchored to actual historical figures and events....Mr. Spielberg Mr. Lucas It's your move."
--Seattle Times

Dashing and courageous American adventurer Ethan Gage returns in William Dietrich's The Rosetta Key--the thrilling sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author's acclaimed Napoleon's Pyramids. An eighteenth century Indiana Jones, Gage swashbuckles once again, this time in pursuit of a precious Egyptian relic that would give its owner the power to rule the world. The Rosetta Key an adventure in reading that is not to be missed, especially by fans of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman novels and aficionados of a grand literary tradition dating back to Jack London, Robert Lewis Stevenson, and H. Rider Haggard, and carried on today by such notables as James Rollins, David Liss, Steve Berry, and Kate Mosse.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062191578
• ISBN13: 9780062191571
• Release Date: April 2012
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 7.9"

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.

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