A Brief History of Egypt - Softcover

Ancient Egypt was one of the longest-lasting civilizations the world has ever known. While most readers will be familiar with at least parts of ancient Egyptian history, contemporary Egypt and its connections to the ancient civilization are not always well understood. ""A Brief History of Egypt"" explores Egypt's broad political, economic, social, and cultural developments, from the mighty civilization of the past to the diverse cultural and political landscape of today, covering almost 6,000 years of history in a clear and concise manner. This book is a reliable introduction to the rich and fascinating history of Egypt and provides a solid background to this country. Today Egypt plays a vital role in the politics of the Middle East, and learning about its history, economic pressures, cultural identity, and social issues is essential to understanding the contemporary Middle East. Coverage includes: The Land and Its People; Ancient Egypt; Persian, Greek, Roman, and Arab Rule; Mamluk and Ottoman Rule; Early Westernizing Reform; The British Occupation and Nationalist Resistance; Ambiguous Independence; Military Rule and Arab Nationalism; Arab Socialism in Egypt; Anwar al-Sadat; and Contemporary Egypt.

Arthur Goldschmidt Jr. is professor emeritus of Middle East history at Penn State University. He obtained a Ph.D. in history and Middle East studies from Harvard University and is the author of several books, including A Concise History of the Middle East and Modern Egypt: Foundation of a Nation-State. He is the recipient of the Amoco Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching and of the Middle East Studies Association's mentoring award.