The Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge

This book discusses briefly the contents of the "doors" or chapters of the Book of the Dead. The descriptions of the 190 chapters are just overviews however. Readers who want to read them will find this book helpful only as an introduction.

Before the summaries of the contents are given, Budge introduces the reader to the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and judgment. There is a chapter describing what goes on when the deceased is given judgment by Osiris (the weighing of the ab or heart and interview with the gods) as well as a chapter about Thoth and his many functions.

Budge's writing is very easy to understand and the chapter on the Judgement of Osiris is the most interesting. I recommend this book to those who are interested in mythology in general and as an introduction to the Book of the Dead.