Overview

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

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Reviews

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 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 Praise from the United Kingdom for The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt Absolutely divine . . . a thorough, erudite and enthusiastic gallop through an astonishing three thousand years. --The Sunday Times 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. --Tom Holland, The Observer Not just the pyramids but the politics; not just war and religion but livestock and labour relations: the whole astonishing story meticulously researched and enthrallingly told. -- The Scotsman Egypt has for the past four thousand years been much vaunted, much debated . . . Toby Wilkinson's The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt [adds] impressively to this tradition. --Bettany Hughes, The Times No detail is spared on this literary journey. . . . [ The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt ] will appeal to anyone . . . who wishes to learn more about this incredible civilization. -- Press Association Take this great book with you on your next boat to Egypt. -- Oxford Times

Praise from the United Kingdom for The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt <br> <br> Absolutely divine . . . a thorough, erudite and enthusiastic gallop through an astonishing three thousand years. --The Sunday Times <br> <br> 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. --Tom Holland, The Observer <br> <br> Not just the pyramids but the politics; not just war and religion but livestock and labour relations: the whole astonishing story meticulously researched and enthrallingly told. -- The Scotsman <br> <br> Egypt has for the past four thousand years been much vaunted, much debated . . . Toby Wilkinson's The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt [adds] impressively to this tradition. --Bettany Hughes, The Times <br><br> No detail is spared on this literary journey. . . . [ The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt ] will appeal to anyone . . . who wishes to learn more about this incredible civilization. -- Press Association <br> <br> Take this great book with you on your next boat to Egypt. -- Oxford Times

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

A magnificent, illuminating and refreshingly readable overview of the entire phenomenon of ancient Egypt. -- The Washington Post <br> <br> Magisterial . . . [A] rich portrait of ancient Egypt's complex evolution over the course of three millenniums. -- Los Angeles Times <br> <br> 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 <br> <br> [Wilkinson] writes with considerable verve. . . . [He] is nimble at conveying the sumptuous pageantry and cultural sophistication of pharaonic Egypt. -- The New York Times <br> <br> 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)<br> <br> Absolutely divine . . . a thorough, erudite and enthusiastic gallop through an astonishing three thousand years. --The Sunday Times<br>

Author Information

Toby Wilkinson graduated with a first class honors degree in Egyptology from Downing College, University of Cambridge, winning the university’s Thomas Mulvey prize. He is the recipient of the Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology, a Leverhulme Trust Special Research Fellowship, and an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham. He is currently at Clare College in the University of Cambridge. Wilkinson has published seven books and numerous articles, and has appeared on radio and television as an expert on ancient Egyptian civilization (especially the early periods). He is the recipient of the Antiquity Prize for the best journal article and is a member of the international editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History.

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