Protected on two sides by wide deserts and on another by the sea, the narrow strip of land watered and fertilized by the Nile was an ideal location for the development of the great civilization of Egypt. From its beginnings below the first cataract of the Nile to its long and legendary magnificence at the Nile Delta, ancient Egypt grew ever more prosperous and powerful, first as two kingdoms, then as one. A Short History of Ancient Egypt provides a concise, authoritative, and richly illustrated overview of ancient Egypt from its rise from the marshes to its submission to Rome. T. G. H. James describes how, in about 3100 B.C., the Egyptians first forged a unified administration and established a dynasty of kings. He follows the development of Egypt's greatest achievements: the organization of a national irrigation system, learning to write, and the construction of cities and tombs out of mud brick. As their art became more distinctive and expressive and their beliefs were shaped into religion, Greek philosophers came to Egypt to study. Tourists came to gape. At first, James explains, the chief adversaries of Egyptians were themselves. Civil strife could arise from floods or famines, or from ambitious factions of the royal family. But in time, the bounty of Egyptian agriculture, the grandeur of Egyptian art and buildings, and the ostentation of Egyptian wealth excited the envy and aggression of other nations. Although Egypt fought to retain its independence, it succumbed at last under the conquests of Persia, Greece, and Rome.
""A beautifully presented book which manages very successfully to encapsulate four thousand years of Egyptian history into two hundred and fifty four pages. So many histories of Egypt tend to briefly narrate the dynasties, picking out the highlights from particular reigns. This history however, flows smoothly from chapter to chapter under headings more appropriate to the chequered history of this great country. The maps presented at the commencement of each new section are particularly useful. The abscense of footnotes is a blessing, enabling one to read on without interruption. Beautifully coloured illustrations are chosen to complement the main content of the script and create an aura of Egypt which pervades every page of this book. This is a history which will stir the reader's imagination and leave a compulsive desire to delve more deeply into those areas suggested by the extensive reading list.""
