Reviews and Press

Read an excerpt from Meteorite (“It Came From Outer Space”)  published in Cabinet Magazine.

‘Meteorite does a splendid job … illustrating the religious, social, literary, artistic, political, economic and even culinary impact of meteorites, with the help of reportage and anecdote as well as site photographs and portraits . . . Maria Golia writes vividly and wittily … and ample science is elegantly slipped into the book.’ – Claudio Vita-Finzi, Times Literary Supplement, June 1, 2016

Author’s interview re: Meteorite for National Geographic.

Meteorite – has arrived… Sky at Night Magazine, October 2015 Book of the Month

“This is a beautifully written, well-researched book that looks at the science, history, and social aspect of meteorites. Here is the story of stones from space, and I recommend it to anyone interested in these fascinating bits of other worlds which have landed here on Earth.”Christopher P. McKay, NASA astrobiologist

“Maria Golia has brought to her truly wonderful subject  a matching spirit of wonder,  and has  explored the science and magic, art and uses of ‘lightning rock’, ‘iron rain’, and sacred betyls, with passion, wit – and fiery compression.” Marina Warner, author and mythographer

“[who] would have ever expected that rocks falling from space would be such an important contribution to humanity’s intellectual evolution? If you want to understand the landscape of meteorites in the 21st century, then Golia’s book is your one-stop-shop to get you up to speed.” Professor Martin Horejsi, Meteorite Times

‘an extremely well-researched book, with its focus away from the scientific details, and squarely on the place of meteorites in various aspects of human culture.’ John Rowlands, Astronomy Now

 (See my ‘about’ page for more information on Meteorite)

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Tomb Raiding

Tomb-raiding in Egypt – from antiquity to the present- is a topic I’ve researched at some length.  Here’s an essay from Cabinet Magazine‘s ‘Desert’ issue, entitled “Grave Matters” (2017) from A Short History of Tomb-Raiding, a work in progress….

 

 Cairo: City of Sand (Reaktion Books, London, 2004)

  …a magnificent, multidimensional, eloquent and, above all, intelligent portrait of one of the world’s most enigmatic places.     – Anthony Sattin, Sunday Times, London

…packed full of observations of enduring worth…She writes with wit, immediacy, intimacy and humor.       – Barnaby Rogerson, Times Literary Supplement, London

…is it possible for a foreigner living in Cairo, even for many years, to know the soul of this city? …you will be astonished when you read Maria Golia’s book.   – Rushdi Abul- Hassan,  Sabah El-Kher Magazine, Cairo

…the extent of Golia’s insider status really shows… not just regarding matters specific to Cairo, but to matters of Egyptian-ness in general. – Motaz Attalla, Beirut Daily Star

…astonishingly astute, skillfully critical and deeply empathetic. – Cherine Badrawi, Daily Star, Egypt

Photography and Egypt (Reaktion Books, London 2010)

…An admirable and precise historical analysis and critique of the conditions under which photographs were produced [in Egypt], as well as an assessment of their impact on the region.  –Catherine David, chief curator, Musées de France, exhibition catalogue forParis Photo, November 2009

…strikingly observed. Golia’s relaxed prose belies her careful research. Her history of photography can also be read as a challenge to [Egypt’s] people and their problematic search for authenticity. – Eleanor Kilroy, Times Literary Supplement, London April 2010 

…Photography and Egypt is a treasure….Golia is a terrific writer… [the book] thrives on her intense and unyielding affection for Egypt, an ardor balanced with humor and the occasionally brutal critique of…the current regime… – Bidoun Magazine, New York/Dubai, Winter 2009-2010

… Swift-moving,  sophisticated and serious, Maria Golia’s narrative  comes right down to the present day.  – John Rodenbeck, Association  for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East (ASTENE)

…conjures the real Egypt to life before the reader, and unfolds the development of a vernacular photography from topography, middle class posturing and propaganda, to political and social activism bearing witness to contemporary events. –F/22 Magazine

Press Bits:

http://nymag.com/travel/2011/spring/cairo-estoril-restaurant-2011-4/

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/02/why-suleiman-s-concessions-aren-t-all-that-big/21208/

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/11/cairo.life.city/

Aha!

A deliberate online presence slowly materializes….

photo: sherif alkatscha