This is a story studded with extraordinary achievements and historic moments, from the building of the pyramids and the conquest of Nubia, through Akhenaten's religious revolution, the power and beauty of Nefertiti, the glory of Tutankhamun's burial chamber, and the ruthlessness of Ramesses, to Alexander the Great's invasion, and Cleopatra's fatal entanglement with Rome.

As the world's first nation-state, the history of Ancient Egypt is above all the story of the attempt to unite a disparate realm and defend it against hostile forces from within and without. Combining grand narrative sweep with detailed knowledge of hieroglyphs and the iconography of power, Toby Wilkinson reveals Ancient Egypt in all its complexity.

A brilliantly readable, beautifully illustrated general history of ancient Egypt, from the builders of the first pyramids to Cleopatra

About the Author
Toby Wilkinson read Egyptology at Cambridge University. Since January 2004 he has been a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. An acknowledged expert on ancient Egyptian civilisation, he has given lectures around the world and his international reputation has led to invitations to contribute to other major collaborative projects. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History and has broadcast on radio and tv in the UK and abroad, including BBC's 'Horizon' and Channel 4's 'Private Lives of the Pharaohs', and was the consultant for the BBC's award-winning documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid. His books include the critically acclaimed Dictionary of Ancient Egypt and Genesis of the Pharaohs, and he edited the recent encyclopedia The Egyptian World. He lives in Cambridge.

Reviews
'A sophisticated and complete account of the world's first nation state' * The Times Books of the Year *
'Wilkinson's stirring and clear sighted account of the ancient world's most enduring civilisation comes as a welcome treat' * Sunday Times Books of the Year *
'I had always presumed, before I read Wilkinson's book, that it was impossible to write a history of Egypt which combined scholarship, accessibility, and a genuine sense of revelation. I was wrong' * Observer *
'A comprehensive, illustrated history focusing on the dark side of the Pharaohs and some harsh political realities' * The List *



Book Information
ISBN 9781408810026
Author Toby Wilkinson
Format Paperback
Page Count 672
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 545g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 43mm