The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt - Softcover

"A magnificent, illuminating and refreshingly readable overview of the entire phenomenon of ancient Egypt."--The Washington Post

"Magisterial . . . [A] rich portrait of ancient Egypt's complex evolution over the course of three millenniums."--Los Angeles Times

"With a literary flair and a sense for a story well told, Mr. Wilkinson offers a highly readable, factually up-to-date account."--The Wall Street Journal

"[Wilkinson] writes with considerable verve. . . . [He] is nimble at conveying the sumptuous pageantry and cultural sophistication of pharaonic Egypt."--The New York Times

"Engrossing . . . Readers will find it hard to put down. . . . This book will serve as a standard for general readers and college students alike."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Absolutely divine . . . a thorough, erudite and enthusiastic gallop through an astonishing three thousand years."--The Sunday Times

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER · “Magisterial . . . [A] rich portrait of ancient Egypt’s complex evolution over the course of three millenniums.”—Los Angeles Times
 
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY
The Washington Post · Publishers Weekly
 
In this landmark volume, one of the world’s most renowned Egyptologists tells the epic story of this great civilization, from its birth as the first nation-state to its absorption into the Roman Empire. Drawing upon forty years of archaeological research, award-winning scholar Toby Wilkinson takes us inside a tribal society with a pre-monetary economy and decadent, divine kings who ruled with all-too-recognizable human emotions. Here are the legendary leaders: Akhenaten, the “heretic king,” who with his wife Nefertiti brought about a revolution with a bold new religion; Tutankhamun, whose dazzling tomb would remain hidden for three millennia; and eleven pharaohs called Ramesses, the last of whom presided over the militarism, lawlessness, and corruption that caused a political and societal decline. Filled with new information and unique interpretations, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is a riveting and revelatory work of wild drama, bold spectacle, unforgettable characters, and sweeping history.
 
“With a literary flair and a sense for a story well told, Mr. Wilkinson offers a highly readable, factually up-to-date account.”—The Wall Street Journal
 
“[Wilkinson] writes with considerable verve. . . . [He] is nimble at conveying the sumptuous pageantry and cultural sophistication of pharaonic Egypt.”—The New York Times