THE KEYS OF EGYPT: The Obsession to Decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs.(Review)(Brief Article)

LESLEY AND ROY ADKINS. HarperCollins, $25 (352p) ISBN 0-06-019439-1

Set against a background of academic intrigue and international rivalry, with colorful personalities vying to be the first to unveil the meaning behind ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the story of the decipherment of the Rosetta Stone has all the ingredients of a dramatic scientific quest. Disappointingly, the Adkinses, though experienced writers and consultants on archaeology, don't make the grade in this bland, lackluster account. Instead of approaching the subject matter with new questions and fresh analysis, the authors' predictable narrative adds little to our knowledge of either the French …