Perhaps there is an inherent injustice in writing a brief history of a nation and a people with a recorded history extending back more than 5,000 years. But Professor Goldschmidt does an admirable job of conveying the scope and richness of Egyptian history and culture. This is a conventional narrative history that begins with an excellent examination of the geographic factors, especially the Nile and surrounding deserts, that have shaped Egyptian development. In his examination of the long dynastic period, Goldschmidt necessarily does some skimming, but he illustrates the basic trends that emerged and offers useful portraits of key individuals. He also provides a fine summary of the often-confusing pantheon of Egyptian deities. His attention to the Hellenistic and Roman periods is also limited, and the bulk of Goldschmidt's chronicle begins with the Islamic conquest of the seventh century. The most interesting portions of the book deal with the Egyptian responses to European intrusions, beginning with Napoleon's invasion in 1798 and leading up to the current engagement with the U.S. Easily digestible and ideal for general readers.--Freeman, Jay Copyright 2007 Booklist

This concise, chronologically organized guide to nearly 6000 years of Egyptian history opens with a chapter devoted to the country's five geographical regions, which have inevitably influenced politics and culture. Goldschmidt (Modern Egypt) follows with 11 chapters tracing significant political and cultural developments between 10,000 B.C.E. and 2007. Photographs, maps, and inset sidebars covering important subjects and cultural figures appear throughout the book. An accessible and enjoyable read; recommended for history collections as well as academic and public libraries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.