The Egyptian Book of the Dead has long been familiar to people interested in ancient Egyptian religion, but it’s earlier and equally extensive counterpart, the collection known as the Coffin Texts, are lesser known. The Coffin Texts date primarily from the early part of the second millennium BC, and were intended to provide a deceased person, buried in the coffin on which a version of the texts was written, with the magical spells and speeches which would enable him to achieve a secure and important place in the next world. Faulkner provides an authoritative translation, accompanied by concise textual notes, and thereby makes accessible a rich source of information on early Egyptian magical practices and beliefs.