A History of Egypt, Part 1: From the Earliest Time to the Persian Conquest (Pt. 1) [Paperback]

James Henry Breasted (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 1937

This two-volume work, first published in 1937, is arguably one of the best works on ancient Egyptian history by an American writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Simon Publications (December 19, 1937)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931313539
• ISBN-13: 978-1931313537
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,749,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most readable account of history, culture, religion of Egypt, May 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: History of Egypt (Hardcover)

Breasted's account of the history, culture, and religion of ancient Egypt stands, to this day, as a rare example of scientific writing that is also tremenduously entertaining to read. Never dry, this book is lively, vividly evoking images of the subjects described. Though research into ancient Egypt in the decades since this book was originally written has made many important discoveries, the essential value of this book, its capability to enlighten the reader on one of the great cultures of human civilization, has not diminished. As a writer, Breasted might have excelled at almost any genre of literature he might have selected. His work as a serious historian allowed him to use his skill as a writer to make otherwise perhaps esoteric material available to a broad range of readers, asking not much more from the reader than the capability to simply enjoy a good book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First and Best, January 19, 2001

By 

"momteacher" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Egypt (Hardcover)

While his translations are slightly dated because of new linguistic discoveries, there is still no other work that can compare to James Breasted's monumental "History of Ancient Egypt." It is an indispensable work for novice and expert alike. There are many epigones to this book, but not many are equal to it. It is stylish in manner, which captivates the reader's interest and holds it through many, many pages - no little feat! I would highly recommend this book to any one wishing to discover ancient Egyptian culture, whether your studies are inchoate or advanced. It is marvellous!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating (but maybe outdated), March 16, 2003

By 

Bibliophile - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Egypt (Hardcover)

My copy is the Bantam 1964 reprint of the 1905 classic. Almost a hundred years old, this book still reads surprisingly easily. Whether it's out of date or not, I'm in no position to judge, not being an expert in this field. But I'd assume that a lot of archaeological discoveries must have been made in the last century to make this book somewhat obsolete.

Breasted was the first and foremost American Egyptologist, the founder of the prestigious Oriental Institute of Chicago (the premier archaeology academy in America - featured in Indiana Jones), and the first archaeologist elected to the National Academy of Sciences.(He was also a former President of the American Historical Association, and must have been the only person to have both honors.) I particularly like his opinions of Thuthmosis III, whose 3450th passing is today.

Two other books that may shed some light on the recent findings are "Egypt of the Pharaohs" by Sir Alan Gardiner and "The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt" edited by Ian Shaw.