Despite his youth and frailty, he is credited with restoring ancient religious practices and maintaining peace with neighboring empires before his sudden death a decade into his reign. Book Structure The work is generally divided into three sections: The Boy Behind the Mask: Meeting the Real Tutankhamun

Drawing on modern CT-scan findings , the text explores the Pharaoh's poor health, including a cleft palate, a clubbed foot , and his battles with malaria.

By examining personal items like clothes, games, and food buried with him, Booth highlights the boy’s hobbies and affections, such as his likely love for hunting and his preservation of a lock of his grandmother Tiye's hair.