The Discovery of Egypt: Vivant Denon's Travels with Napoleon's Army. Terence M. Russell. Sutton Publishing. [pounds sterling]20.00. xxii + 266 pages. ISBN 0-7509-4145-6. This fascinating study sheds light on a man whose exploits are largely unknown outside his native France. Denon (1747-1825) was a talented painter and engraver, an antiquarian and a courageous man from an aristocratic background. Despite his work for Louix XV, he survived the Terror through the patronage of David and then Bonaparte who later chose him as his adviser on artistic matters when the expedition to Egypt was launched. Fame was guaranteed when, on his return to France, he published his Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute-Egypte ... in 1802. He has been called the first Egyptologist and Mr Russell, by quoting extensively from Denon's account, describes the artist's adventures and achievements in Egypt. Unusually, Denon was also superb in observing local people whose 'freedom' the French had theoretically come to secure. The book is lavishly illustrated with many of Denon's own works. Somewhat ironically, whilst the French attempt to create an Egyptian empire came to nothing, Denon's work has survived and is here given the recognition it deserves. (D.T.D.)