The Egyptians (Ancient Peoples and Places) [Paperback]

Cyril Aldred (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ancient Peoples and Places | Publication Date: September 1998

The twin themes - the overwhelming importance of the Nile and the pharaoh - provide the unifying thread running through Cyril Aldred's classic text. Aidan Dodson has completely revised the book whilst carefully preserving its succinct and lucid qualities. Many significant recent finds are investigated: at Abydos in the Delta, in the Valley of the Kings; at the pyramids of Abusir, Giza and Saqqara; and at Avaris. Much fresh thinking on the first unification of Egypt, her early kings, and the third intermediate period is included. The dating has been revised throughout to accord with the most up-to- date scholarship, and many new photographs have been incorporated. The bibliography has been revised and expanded, and a complete chronology and list of kings is included for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The best single account of ancient Egyptian history and culture that is available. -- Antiquity

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 3 Rev Sub edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500280363
• ISBN-13: 978-0500280362
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > History > Africa > Egypt
  • #57 in Books > History > Ancient > Egypt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal introductory book for beginners to Ancient Egypt, June 13, 2000

By 

Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Egyptians (Ancient Peoples and Places) (Paperback)

Well illustrated, this classic book, written by a remarkable Egyptologist, is a comprehensible overview of Egyptian civilization. The author discusses the discoveries which led to the beginning of Egyptology; he presents Egypt's geography starting with Sudan and Nubia, ending with the Delta; he describes the history and formation of Egypt from the Predynastic to the Late Periods; he describes Egyptian social groups from the pharaoh to the peasants. Extensively updated by Egyptologist Aidan Dodson, it is an excellent introduction for all students.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal introductory book for beginners to Ancient Egypt, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Egyptians (Ancient Peoples and Places) (Paperback)

I recommend Aldred's "The Egyptians" more than Grimal's book "A History of Ancient Egypt," which is vague and confusing. Aldred's book is definitely a much better and more reliable introduction to all aspects of this civilization, from history to religion, geography to social ranks.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful work by the a master of the field., April 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Egyptians (Ancient Peoples and Places) (Paperback)

"The Egyptians" is a wonderful piece, spanning the whole of Egyptian history minus Ptolmiac times, which duly belong more to Greek and Roman history than Egyptian. However, unlike Nicolas Grimal's "A History of Ancient Egypt," this history is written much better and Cyril's very formal, yet oddly casuall style makes for quite the enjoyable read. A chapter is spent on Egyptian social classes, ranging from the Pharaoh to the peasantry to slaves, a delightful bite of information concerning Deir el-Medina hidden within. However, I must confess that one of the greatest pleasures came to me when I found among the wonderful plates a long sought after photo of the author, standing in the temple of Seti I at abydos; I like to have faces to go along with my favorite Egyptological authors. I also send my admonitions to Aidon Dodson for a wonderful job of updating; he made the book current without undermining Cyril's style, and nowhere can you for certain know something has been changed.