100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Auckland Bookstore open Sunday until 5pm! πŸŽ‰

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt

4.13 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 6,297 ratings, 613 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson offers a detailed account of Egypt's 3,000-year history, from its early days to its eventual decline. The book explores the complexities of Egyptian civilisation, including its politics, culture, and enduring legacy. Wilkinson delves into the lives of pharaohs and the society they ruled, providing a comprehensive understanding of one of history's most fascinating empires.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3699
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by the rich and complex history of ancient Egypt, appreciate detailed historical analysis, and revel in vivid storytelling that brings pharaohs, gods, and daily life to the fore. It's perfect for history enthusiasts who seek a deep understanding of one of the world's most influential civilisations.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A brilliantly readable, beautifully illustrated general history of ancient Egypt, from the builders of the first pyramids to Cleopatra

The first major history of Ancient Egypt to marshal the detail of the lives of the pharaohs and of the ordinary citizens, to reveal the harsh political realities behind the 3000-year civilisation. Illustrated on the page with many of the author's own photographs in black and white, and with three stunning colour inserts Major publicity by expert author, who is an experienced and energetic speaker, at festivals and other public events at time of publication

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson offers readers an insightful and comprehensive journey through one of the world's most iconic and fascinating civilisations. This captivating narrative spans over three millennia of history, from the nascent days of the powerful pharaohs to the eventual decline under the Romans. Wilkinson’s work meticulously captures the grandeur and sophistication of Ancient Egypt, bringing to life the magnificent achievements, complex politics, and the vivid personalities that shaped this incredible empire.

Wilkinson skilfully reconstructs the enduring legacy of Ancient Egypt's monumental architecture, particularly the majestic pyramids, exemplars of human ingenuity and ambition. Readers are taken through the dramatic religious upheaval under Akhenaten, the mesmerising allure of Queen Nefertiti, and the splendid yet enigmatic tomb of Tutankhamun, which continues to captivate the world with its treasures.

The narrative delves into the calculated and often ruthless tactics employed by rulers like Ramesses II, whose reign was marked by grandiose building projects and formidable military campaigns. Wilkinson does not shy away from the turbulence and strife that characterised the latter years of the Egyptian empire, chronicling the Egyptian encounter with Alexander the Great, and Cleopatra’s dramatic interactions with the burgeoning power of Rome, which ultimately sealed Egypt’s fate.

As the world's first nation-state, Ancient Egypt's history illuminates the persistent efforts to unify a diverse realm and shield it from internal discord and external threats. Wilkinson expertly combines sweeping historical narrative with in-depth analysis of hieroglyphs and powerful iconography, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of the immense complexity underlying Ancient Egyptian civilisation. His narrative is enriched by his ability to interpret ancient texts and artefacts, thus providing readers with a compelling and dynamic picture of life along the Nile.

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt stands out as an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the profound and enduring impact of Ancient Egyptian culture and governance. Toby Wilkinson’s scholarship is matched by his storytelling prowess, making this an engaging and informative journey into the heart of an empire that continues to intrigue and inspire humanity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson is acclaimed for its extraordinary scope and outstanding quality, making it a significant contribution to the field of Egyptology. The author is praised for his formidable scholarship and productivity. The book is considered a reliable and essential resource, expected to be a standard reference for years.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781408810026

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 43.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 545g

Pages: 672

About the Author

Toby Wilkinson read Egyptology at Cambridge University. Since January 2004 he has been a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. An acknowledged expert on ancient Egyptian civilisation, he has given lectures around the world and his international reputation has led to invitations to contribute to other major collaborative projects. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History and has broadcast on radio and tv in the UK and abroad, including BBC's β€˜Horizon' and Channel 4β€˜s β€˜Private Lives of the Pharaohs', and was the consultant for the BBC's award-winning documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid. His books include the critically acclaimed Dictionary of Ancient Egypt and Genesis of the Pharaohs, and he edited the recent encyclopedia The Egyptian World. He lives in Cambridge.

Also by Toby Wilkinson

View all
  • Writings from Ancient Egypt
    The essential writings of ancient Egypt, from songs to stories, newly translated. 'Man perishes; his corpse turns to dust; all his relatives pass away. But writings make him remembered.' The fascination Ancient Egypt holds in our minds has many sources, but at the heart of it lie hieroglyphics. This extraordinary writing system was for many years seen as the ultimate...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Last Dynasty
    A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling β€” John Guy Superb and gripping β€” Simon Sebag Montefiore A definitive and thrilling new account of the last great dynasty of ancient Egypt, from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra. When Alexander the Great arrived in Egypt, he overthrew the hated Persian overlords and was welcomed...
    Paperback
    $3899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lives of the Ancient Egyptians
    From the dawn of history to the death of Cleopatra, ancient Egypt was home to larger-than-life personalities. Across one hundred lives, Toby Wilkinson explores the true character and diversity of human experience in the ancient world's greatest civilization. Some of those profiled are famous: pharaohs and queens such as Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Ramesses II, and Tiye. Others are lesser known but...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Ramesses the Great
    The life, dramatic reign, and enduring legacy of the pharaoh Ramesses the Great, with lessons for the present, from internationally acclaimed Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson Ramesses II ruled the Nile Valley and the wider Egyptian empire from 1279 to 1213 B.C., one of the longest reigns in pharaonic history. He was a cultural innovator, a relentless self-promoter, and an astute diplomatβ€”the...
    Hardback
    $6500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Last Dynasty
    A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling’ John Guy 'Superb and gripping' Simon Sebag Montefiore A definitive and thrilling new account of the last great dynasty of ancient Egypt, from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra. When Alexander the Great arrived in Egypt, he overthrew the hated Persian overlords and was welcomed as a...
    Hardback
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Last Dynasty
    'A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling’ John Guy 'Superb and gripping' Simon Sebag Montefiore A definitive and thrilling new account of the last great dynasty of ancient Egypt, from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra. When Alexander the Great arrived in Egypt, he overthrew the hated Persian overlords and was welcomed as a...
    Paperback
    $2699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Ramesses the Great
    The life, dramatic reign, and enduring legacy of the pharaoh Ramesses the Great, with lessons for the present, from internationally acclaimed Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson. "The author succeeds in bringing this distant age to life through telling detail and insightful analysis. . . . Whenever he can, the author takes advantage of opportunities to peer beneath the mask."β€”The Economist Ramesses the...
    Paperback
    $2599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • A World Beneath the Sands
    Embark on a journey through the golden age of Egyptology with A World Beneath the Sands by Toby Wilkinson. This enthralling narrative takes you to the heart of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a period teeming with excitement, discovery, and scholarly endeavour. Against the majestic backdrop of the Nile, the pyramids, and the Valley of the Kings, Wilkinson brings...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from History & Military

View all
  • Saving Elli
    One child. Two years in hiding. Three lives in mortal danger. In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, another Jewish girl is hidden. Her name is Elli. Her father has been executed at Mauthausen concentration camp. Her mother is fleeing for her life. Elli is next. To save her, resistance couple Frits and Jo Hakkens must risk everything, concealing her...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Spy and the Traitor
    The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a spellbinding Cold War thriller that unravels the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB double agent who risked everything to aid the British in the battle against Soviet oppression. In meticulously researched detail, Macintyre paints a vivid portrait of espionage, double-crossing, and unparalleled bravery, giving readers a riveting glimpse into...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Suicidal Empathy
    The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Man's Search For Meaning
    Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Betrayal
    β€˜Tom Bower is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic storyteller and a master of intricacies.’ Sunday Times The British Crown is in crisis, with constitutional threats at home and abroad. At a landmark moment in royal history, can King Charles overcome the scandals that blight the Royal family? Can the broken bonds between the Houses of Sussex...
    Paperback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Signed
    New Release
    The Chief and the Empire
    The Chief and the Empire uncovers the extraordinary true tale of Te Tai Tokerau rangatira Te Pahi - the first influential Māori leader to cross the Tasman - whose curiosity about the Pākehā world forged alliances, saved lives, and ultimately cost him his own. On a visit to Sydney in 1805, Te Pahi was feted as a celebrity, building close...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Discipline
    Silence is complicity, but how do we confront the cost of speaking up? Sydney, May 2021. Ashraf is an academic whose career and personal life are in freefall. Hannah is a young journalist struggling to honour the voices of her community. When a Year 12 Al-Bayinnah College student is arrested for protesting a university's ties to an Israeli weapons manufacturer,...
    Paperback
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Shattered Lands
    'A sparkling debut by an outstanding young historian' – PETER FRANKOPAN 'This book is a revelation … both original and important' – MISHAL HUSAIN A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it. As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and...
    Paperback
    $3699
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Goliath’s Curse
    Goliath’s Curse by Luke Kemp offers a radical retelling of human history through the lens of collapse, delving into what this means for our uncertain future. This narrative spans from the dawn of our species to the urgent existential threats of the twenty-first century and beyond. It's grounded in the latest research and a comprehensive database of more than 440...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Good Settler
    β€˜Where once I saw a view as I drove around the Taranaki coast along State Highway 45, I now see confiscated land from an invasion road. The creation story I used to subscribe to, the one in which hard-working people came here and settled the land, now jars. Weirdly, even the lawn looks different. The form of things just won’t...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Keep Calm – We Are Coming
    Keep Calm β€” We Are Coming briefly backgrounds the New Zealand Special Air Service deployment in Afghanistan β€” then goes into action. While primarily training Afghan forces, in Kabul the NZSAS had to respond to a series of β€˜spectacular attacks’ by heavily armed Taliban fighters wearing suicide vests and determined to inflict major casualties. In the words of those who...
    Paperback
    $4000
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Banjara
    A powerful literary debut from an astonishing new Kiwi voice, focusing on the Indo-Fijian indenture system and how it affected generations across the Pacific.Rajasthan 1888: Avani Rathod, a nomad of the Banjara community, is summoned to teach a blue-eyed colonial officer the trees of her region, but instead is misled into indenture to the sugarcane plantations of Fiji. While on...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.