Ancient Egypt Anatomy of a Civilization

From an archaeological perspective, and drawing on new excavations, Kemp (Egyptology, Cambridge) explores ways in which Egypt of about 3000-1000 BC prefigures our own culture. He discusses what he sees as major shaping forces of the civilization, such as political myth and ideology, bureaucracy, the quest for food and work, charismatic rule, the political and economic constraints on daily life, and the interplay between change and stability through the centuries. Contains many plans of buildings and towns, and redrawings of carvings. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.