Aimed at students and tourists visiting Egypt, this volume offers a concise summary of the sweep of Egyptian history from the first evidence of human habitation to contemporary times. The chronological rise and fall of kingdoms and governments constitutes most of the discussion, but some explorations of arts, literature, and the lives of ordinary Egyptians are interspersed throughout. Also included are appendixes listing pharaohs and heads of governments, as well as a chronology. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)