The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

by Ian Shaw (Editor)

59 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0192804587

ISBN-10: 0192804588

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The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt uniquely covers 700,000 years of ancient Egypt, from c. 700,000 BC to AD 311. Following the story from the Egyptians' prehistoric origins to their conquest by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, this book resurrects a fascinating society replete with remarkable historical information. It investigates such subjects as the changing nature of life and death in the Nile valley to some of the earliest masterpieces of art, architecture, and literature in the ancient world. The authors--an international team of experts working at the cutting edge of their particular fields--outline the principal sequence of political events, including detailed examinations of the three so-called 'intermediate periods' which were previously regarded as 'dark ages' and are only now beginning to be better understood. They also examine cultural and social patterns, including stylistic developments in art and literature. Addressing the issues surrounding this distinctive culture, vividly relating the rise and fall of ruling dynasties, exploring colorful personalities, and uncovering surprising facts, The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt is certain to enrich our understanding of this endlessly intriguing civilization.
"Brimming with...intriguing facts...also provides a first-rate overview of le progrès Egyptien--from the period when Homo erectus first stalked the land right up to Octavian's triumphant entry into Egypt in 30 BC."--The Times (London) (on the previous edition)

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt

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Product Details

Paperback: 552 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press (February 19, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0192804588
ISBN-13: 978-0192804587
Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 1.3 x 5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Books > History > Africa > Egypt
- #14 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Africa
- #36 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Middle East

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4.1 out of 5 stars

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3 star		13%
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Top Customer Reviews

A Phenomenal Introduction to Egyptology

By Jonathan Bailey on January 5, 2001

Format: Hardcover

I cannot praise this book enough. Unfortunately in academic areas, introductions and overviews to various fields, particularly broad histories, tend to reflect the opinions and suppositions of the authors much more than render the actual environment they are working in. This book proves to be a rare exception to this sad fact and sets a standard of scholarship to be emulated by all researchers of the ancient world. Never in egyptology, assyriology, or biblical studies have I found a history that did such a wonderful job of laying out the textual and archaeological finds that scholars base their judgments upon. This is important to me, as I am in disagreement with many scholarly communities about issues of chronology. This book, rather than simply laying out tables and dates, supplements those tables with actual references to the texts and archaeological items that have lead scholars to date things the way they have, pointing out inconsistancies and uncertainties along the way.
After reading this book, I have become convinced that the history of Egypt is not as well known as most books on Egypt would have us believe.
The book is a mammoth undertaking, attempting to chronicle the history of Egypt from prehistory until 311 BC. Introductory sections on the state of research and certainty of chronolology are extremely enlightening. I was particularly impressed with the chapters on prehistory and the naqada culture, in which the archeological evidence and its interpretation were expressely explained to the reader, allowing the reader to agree or disagree with the authors as they wish. My only complaint is that the book, being an anthology of essays by a variety of scholars, shows some inconsistancy in its thoroughness.Read more ›

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If you read one book about Ancient Egypt, read this one.

By Nom de Guerre on February 3, 2003

Format: Paperback

As a quote expresses on the back of this book, "If you only want to read one book on Egypt, then read this one." Ian Shaw's history of ancient Egypt is a beautifully constructed volume that is at once densely packed with information and high in its level of scholarship, and aesthetically appealing and fairly accessible. The book surveys Egyptian history from 700,000 years before the present through the Roman period (ending in AD 395). This is an enormous task, and one might assume that the book could only be very summary and superficial in its treatment of each period. However, every member of Shaw's team of scholars manages to describe his or her period of expertise in a good amount of detail, discussing not only historical events but also art, religion, economics, and material culture. The book thus very successfully follows current trends in history of approaching periods from myriad points of view. Equally importantly, each author discusses the current problems and debates in the scholarship of his or her field. The multi-author approach allows the reader insight into the nature of research for each stage of Egyptian history: the reader gets a sense of the way in which research is conducted, the modes of analysis applied, and the style and terms of discussion. This book serves as an introduction to Egyptian historiography and to the nature of the study of ancient history almost as much as it serves as an introduction to ancient Egypt itself. Thus, The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt manages a high level of scholarship while remaining a useful survey of a huge span of time and culture.Read more ›

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Encyclopedic work

By Neutiquam Erro on April 17, 2006

Format: Hardcover

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt is really more of an encyclopedia than a narrative history. Each of its 15 chapters is written by a different author, presumably an expert in the particular time period under study. This lends itself to a disjointed style as each author presents an overwhelming welter of archeological facts in an effort to deal with their own view of the controversies in the assigned area. While no doubt providing the experienced Egyptologist with fine details is important, the casual reader will find the book a dense and confusing read. The details of stone-age arrowhead manufacture or the various types of thrown pottery in the First Intermediate Period tend to obscure the bigger picture. As a prerequisite for reading this book I would recommend something lighter and more cohesive such as "A History of Ancient Egypt" by Grimal.

That said, the book is definitely a significant resource for anyone interested in Egyptian history. It covers the Egyptian state from prehistory through its incorporation into the Roman empire. Three chapters cover the pre-dynastic period including one on the Paleolithic period, one on the Naqada period and one entitled "Emergence of the Egyptian State" (Dynasties 0-2). Subsequent chapters for the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms (2 chapters for the last of these) and the Intermediate Periods follow. A rather strange and slightly redundant chapter, entitled "Egypt and the Outside World" is located just prior to the article on the Third Intermediate period. Its insertion here seems an afterthought as it covers the material of several preceding chapters using a topical, rather than chronologic, approach. Finally, several shorter chapters cover the Late Period, the Ptolemaic Period and the Roman Period.Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

as described. thanks.

Published 25 days ago by E

Five Stars

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Published 26 days ago by Deborah O Cook

Alittle too dry.

Good, but not quite what I was looking for. Will enjoy reading it tho.

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer

I don't like the setup of different authors for each chapter as ...

Very condense book. I don't like the setup of different authors for each chapter as it makes it less consistent. Read more

Published 3 months ago by ReginaPhalange

I cannot speak as to the age level but he is 14 and he liked it very...

I bought this book for my grandson 14 who is an aspiring archeologist! I cannot speak as to the age level but he is 14 and he liked it very much.

Published 3 months ago by Dawn

Bought this for my 6th graders Egyptology assignment in History ...

Bought this for my 6th graders Egyptology assignment in History. I was very impressed with how thorough this book was and also how many pharaohs they had information on. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Tiffany Jauregui

Amazing what's happening to Oxford Press

Amazing what's happening to Oxford Press, what's happening everywhere. Here's an authoritative book on Ancient Egypt by one of the great universities of the West and the editor's... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Mitch M

It's a great read. It feels like it was the best ...

It's a great read. It feels like it was the best and most thorough book on Egypt.

Published 5 months ago by harry furness

Arguably the best single-volume history on the subject

The _Oxford History of Ancient Egypt_ is really a compilation of essays on the various periods of Ancient Egyptian history from the paleolithic through the Roman conquest. Read more

Published 5 months ago by doc peterson

great information

filled with good information. I don't think there is another book on this subject to be had for its content and price.

Published 5 months ago by FRITZ

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