Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Excellent packed with information , 23 Oct 2008
A fantastic, informative book, although lacking in religious discourse which formed much of ancient egyptian life. However, a marvellous reference book all the same. Would have been better in a larger format as difficult to read at times.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Excellent packed with information , 23 Oct 2008
A fantastic, informative book, although lacking in religious discourse which formed much of ancient egyptian life. However, a marvellous reference book all the same. Would have been better in a larger format as difficult to read at times.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




'Ology book fan, 10 Nov 2008
This was the first of this type of book bought for my daughter about a year ago, who is now 10. One turn of the front page and both of us were hooked. These are beautiful works of art, combined with lots of information and little flaps and envelopes to add to the experience.

The appeal of these books are that they are ageless, although a very young child would need to be watched as they are fragile and bits could easily be lost or damaged.

I don't think we will ever want to get rid of these books as they are so appealing and we have subsequently gone on to buy many others in the series such as Mythology, Wizardology, Dragonology etc.all highly recommended.

A treasure trove, 24 Feb 2008
My seven year old used her xmas vouchers to buy this book and wants to take it with her wherever she goes, she loves it. It's beautifully put together with accurate and detailed information but in an imaginitive and exciting way that I know I would have loved when I was a child. The detail and care with which this book has been created is a credit to everyone involved.

Entertaining and Educational!, 12 Aug 2007
Find out so much about real - life Egyptians. There are abstracts from Osiris' tomb, bits of cloths and pages and pages of information on the most facinating people that walked this planet.
It is filled with hidden puzzles, activitys and more. This is a perfect present for anyone over the age of 9! Join in the fun! And for such a fantastic price I promise that you will not be dissapointed!
5 stars!
Thanks for reading!

a beautiful book!, 03 Apr 2007
A wonderful book - my children loved it and it's definately one to keep for the grandchildren in years to come!! Full of suprises and a beautiful book to look at. One that you can keep on coming back to. It is one of a series and in my opinion - the best one of the lot. (If you like this one - it's worth looking at 'Dragonology, 'Wizardology' and 'Pirateology'.)

Egyptology review, 10 Nov 2005
Egyptology is simply brilliant.Like the rest of the templar family Egyptology is both practical and pretty with charts of international distances mingling with beautifully drawn illustrations,with a playable senet game and intricate models this Emily Sands book is also a practical introducion to egyptology.This cleverly written book should be treasured and adored because in literature there are very few equals.Please buy this book and if you like then there is a world of excellent templar books out there.Thanks for reading from Master George David Bell.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Excellent packed with information , 23 Oct 2008
A fantastic, informative book, although lacking in religious discourse which formed much of ancient egyptian life. However, a marvellous reference book all the same. Would have been better in a larger format as difficult to read at times.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




'Ology book fan, 10 Nov 2008
This was the first of this type of book bought for my daughter about a year ago, who is now 10. One turn of the front page and both of us were hooked. These are beautiful works of art, combined with lots of information and little flaps and envelopes to add to the experience.

The appeal of these books are that they are ageless, although a very young child would need to be watched as they are fragile and bits could easily be lost or damaged.

I don't think we will ever want to get rid of these books as they are so appealing and we have subsequently gone on to buy many others in the series such as Mythology, Wizardology, Dragonology etc.all highly recommended.

A treasure trove, 24 Feb 2008
My seven year old used her xmas vouchers to buy this book and wants to take it with her wherever she goes, she loves it. It's beautifully put together with accurate and detailed information but in an imaginitive and exciting way that I know I would have loved when I was a child. The detail and care with which this book has been created is a credit to everyone involved.

Entertaining and Educational!, 12 Aug 2007
Find out so much about real - life Egyptians. There are abstracts from Osiris' tomb, bits of cloths and pages and pages of information on the most facinating people that walked this planet.
It is filled with hidden puzzles, activitys and more. This is a perfect present for anyone over the age of 9! Join in the fun! And for such a fantastic price I promise that you will not be dissapointed!
5 stars!
Thanks for reading!

a beautiful book!, 03 Apr 2007
A wonderful book - my children loved it and it's definately one to keep for the grandchildren in years to come!! Full of suprises and a beautiful book to look at. One that you can keep on coming back to. It is one of a series and in my opinion - the best one of the lot. (If you like this one - it's worth looking at 'Dragonology, 'Wizardology' and 'Pirateology'.)

Egyptology review, 10 Nov 2005
Egyptology is simply brilliant.Like the rest of the templar family Egyptology is both practical and pretty with charts of international distances mingling with beautifully drawn illustrations,with a playable senet game and intricate models this Emily Sands book is also a practical introducion to egyptology.This cleverly written book should be treasured and adored because in literature there are very few equals.Please buy this book and if you like then there is a world of excellent templar books out there.Thanks for reading from Master George David Bell.

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Excellent packed with information , 23 Oct 2008
A fantastic, informative book, although lacking in religious discourse which formed much of ancient egyptian life. However, a marvellous reference book all the same. Would have been better in a larger format as difficult to read at times.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




'Ology book fan, 10 Nov 2008
This was the first of this type of book bought for my daughter about a year ago, who is now 10. One turn of the front page and both of us were hooked. These are beautiful works of art, combined with lots of information and little flaps and envelopes to add to the experience.

The appeal of these books are that they are ageless, although a very young child would need to be watched as they are fragile and bits could easily be lost or damaged.

I don't think we will ever want to get rid of these books as they are so appealing and we have subsequently gone on to buy many others in the series such as Mythology, Wizardology, Dragonology etc.all highly recommended.

A treasure trove, 24 Feb 2008
My seven year old used her xmas vouchers to buy this book and wants to take it with her wherever she goes, she loves it. It's beautifully put together with accurate and detailed information but in an imaginitive and exciting way that I know I would have loved when I was a child. The detail and care with which this book has been created is a credit to everyone involved.

Entertaining and Educational!, 12 Aug 2007
Find out so much about real - life Egyptians. There are abstracts from Osiris' tomb, bits of cloths and pages and pages of information on the most facinating people that walked this planet.
It is filled with hidden puzzles, activitys and more. This is a perfect present for anyone over the age of 9! Join in the fun! And for such a fantastic price I promise that you will not be dissapointed!
5 stars!
Thanks for reading!

a beautiful book!, 03 Apr 2007
A wonderful book - my children loved it and it's definately one to keep for the grandchildren in years to come!! Full of suprises and a beautiful book to look at. One that you can keep on coming back to. It is one of a series and in my opinion - the best one of the lot. (If you like this one - it's worth looking at 'Dragonology, 'Wizardology' and 'Pirateology'.)

Egyptology review, 10 Nov 2005
Egyptology is simply brilliant.Like the rest of the templar family Egyptology is both practical and pretty with charts of international distances mingling with beautifully drawn illustrations,with a playable senet game and intricate models this Emily Sands book is also a practical introducion to egyptology.This cleverly written book should be treasured and adored because in literature there are very few equals.Please buy this book and if you like then there is a world of excellent templar books out there.Thanks for reading from Master George David Bell.

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Excellent and very easy to use, 01 May 2008
I have seen several books on egyptian heiroglyphs and I have to say this is the best one for beginners by far. Collier takes the reader step by step through the maze which is ancient egyptian language. It explains how to tell which order to read them, how to decipher with relation to context as well as many excercises after each chapter to ensure you can put into practice what you have learnt. For anyone looking to learn this is the book for you!

An excellent book!!, 12 Dec 2005
A brilliant book which is clear, easy to understand, and simple enough for anyone who is dedicated and has an open mind to learn from. I am only 16 years old, so if I can already read simple offering formulas and descriptions of ethical behaviour, most people can. It gets harder as the book progresses but not too hard that I get stuck, and if I am desperate, there are answers to the exercises in the back to help me work out what I have done wrong so I can learn from my mistakes. I am already on chapter 7 and have already had no problems with it, because the teaching is step-by-step until the end of every chapter when there are exercises to do, which are accompanied by vocabulary lists to help transliterate and translate, and in the back of the book there are sign lists with info and even a short dictionary. There is enough in this small book to be able to go to museums or even Egypt itself and impress those around you by the skills you have learnt from this book! This is a perfect start to my career in Egyptology!

Cat Square Squiggle God-symbol, 22 Nov 2005
Well, what title should I give for a book on Egyptian hieroglyphs?

Actually, the information blurb from the Library Journal linked to the book's entry here states: 'Reference collections desiring more complete coverage will want Alan Gardiner's Egyptian Grammar (1957. 3d ed.) despite some obsolescence in the treatment of the verbal system.'

I actually learned hieroglyphs using that text at the University of London in the 1980s. But I have assembled a collection of more accessible books on how to learn hieroglyphs as refreshers and for sharing. I have four texts, and this was the first of the lot.

If you are truly interested in learning Egyptian hieroglyphs for an upcoming trip to Egypt or to visit a museum with a collection (I amazed a friend once by being able to read an inscription at the museum; I confessed that of the hundreds of 'paragraphs' of hieroglyphs in the collection, that that was one of only two I could decipher without my notebook), Collier and Manley's 'How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs' is a good choice for learning.

It begins with a basic description of the way in which hieroglyphs are used (some signs are words, but actually very few, and others are sound-meaning symbols). Collier and Manley introduce a transliteration system to ease your way into pronunciation (and pronunciation is very sketchy, given the fact there are no recordings from ancient Egypt). Symbols can vary occasionally for sound, meaning, and determinative value.

The pattern of hieroglyphs is also variable. Generally, you always want to 'read into the face', i.e., the picto-glyphs will be facing the direction from which to start -- more often right to left than left to right, and columns go top to bottom. There are no punctuation marks and no word breaks -- this can make meanings hard to decipher.

Consider the example:

IAMNOWHERE
which could be broken into
I AM NOW HERE
or
I AM NOWHERE
and in this case, context might not help provide which meaning is the true one. Or perhaps the author is poetical and sees the trouble of distinction and means that trouble to be present.

No wonder hieroglyphs are hard!

Collier and Manley's book is excellent in basic vocabulary building and basic grammar. And, if you're like me and will make flash cards, you'll become a better draw-er too.

There are exercises, and pictures of inscriptions to practice on, and a key to the exercises in the back of the book.

Hieroglyphs, 17 Apr 2005
This book is a good introduction, however it could have been a lot better. The explanations are quite good but it doesn't confirm to the number system of most other books. Which mars what was a good primer. The diagrams were on the whole good. I would say that this was a good book to get people interested. The title is a bit over the top, since you will not be reading that many inscriptions with the information provided. All in all a decent enough book.

Excellent for General Interest or further study, 09 Feb 2005
Brilliant Book. Very detailed and easily used. Parts of it are a little hard going but the effort is worth it when you visit somewhere like the British Museam or Egypt itself.
I enjoyed it so much i took Bill Manleys Class on the book at Glasgow University

In The Awesome Egyptians the persistent delving into the toilet of history by author Terry Deary and cohort Peter Hepplewhite leaves no stone - or rather, Pyramid - unturned in this hilariously vile Horrible History.

How to make your own mummy, how to test the theory that pyramids have magical powers and, among all the handy hints and tips, a few tales of dodgy Pharaohs and their nasty habits.

Anyone who ever thought they knew all they needed to know about the Egyptians and their strange ways will be amazed at the gaps in their knowledge as they discover which king had the most blackheads, unusual ways Victorians displayed their mummies and how to become a true Egyptian peasant in ten easy (or, in fact, rather difficult) stages.

The Awesome Egyptians will tickle the fancy of readers young and old, giving hieroglyphics and bandages a whole new, never to be forgotten meaning. --Susan Harrison

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting of information especially for maps and lists seem odd but I guess its a matter of getting used to.

Extensive detail, 20 Jul 2008
I visited Morocco in Spring this year and found that the level of detail in the Rough Guide to Morocco was impressive. The guide is straight forward and easy to use and was full of details I wouldn't have even thought of expecting from a guide book, but definitly appreciated reading. Packed with every detail from which airlines fly into Morocco, to examples of traditional Moroccan myths, it was the perfect companion for our trip! It gave us practical details, which were accurate and helpful and at the same time gave us an insight into the complex culture. I started using Rough Guides with a trip to Stockholm last December and now I'm hooked!

A good guide, but not as good as going, 14 Sep 2005
Having just returned from Morocco with a copy of this book, I would say that for the most part it is, as with all rough guides, an essential travelling companion. For those buying the book with a view to travelling to Morocco, I would bare in mind that because Morocco is a country changing at a great pace especially in terms of its tourist ambitions, that the guide despite only being published a year ago is already out-of-date with regard to some of the facilities available in places of Morocco that some may consider "off the beaten track." The guide suggested that some of the towns we stayed in did not have running water, electricity or places to eat, which was not the case and reading the book beforehand may well have encouraged us not to go to these places. As it transpired, these places were among some of the best we visited. It is also fairly pessimistic about the availability of alcohol and clean hotel rooms, both of which we found to be freely available.
It is still an invaluable travelling guide to Morocco and a good way to while away the hours travelling between towns and villages. For those who are undecided about a trip to Morocco I would suggest going now, it is an amazing place but I have the feeling that in a few years time the tourists will well and truly have taken over the place.

An invaluable guide to Morocco, 07 May 2000
I've just come back from Morocco, and this book was incredibly helpful. From finding hotels, to making sure I saw all the best sites, without the Rough Guide the whole trip would have been far more difficult. Buy it before you go.

Great intro to Nile Cruising, 08 Dec 2008
Excellent little book and perfect for first time cruisers (like me).
Good summary of all of the excursions and some useful tips about Egyptian culture (and how to deal with it). Also good advice on things you need to know to make the most of your cruise (money, health, bartering etc.). Worth every penny.

Essential reading for the first time cruiser!, 30 Oct 2008
This guide is perfect for the first time cruiser and proved to be an extremely interesting and informative guide for my wife and I. The book guides you through the most common excursions, avoiding sickness, bartering with the locals, tipping the guide and boat crew etc. I read it in one sitting at home but frequently returned to the guide during the cruise. The guide is perhaps not particularly useful for seasoned visitors but it is perfect for the novice. Highly recommended.

Good book for first time cruiser, 13 Feb 2008
I used the book in Egypt and found it an invaluable guide for any first-time traveller who is booked on a Nile Cruise. I found the information accurate and up-to-date and it saved me a lot of hassle. The author explains things in an easy to understand way and offers many helpful tips, especially with regarding to dealing with the more persistent Egyptians that work the tourist areas. And believe me I encountered more than my fair share of them! However as this is a specialised book, dealing specifically with a Nile Cruise I would suggest you use it in conjunction with one of the more general Egyptian travel guides such as Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Overall I found it an excellent book that was easily carried around in my bag and definitely helped me on my hols to Egypt!

Rather facile, 12 Feb 2008
Not objective enough, rather facile and amateurish.
Being an easy read is it's only strong point - could be good for kids.

What if..., 27 Jul 2006
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.

I hunted around (and purchased) many books about Egypt in an attempt to familiarise myself with the culture and the history and, had I not stumbled accross this litle gem of a book I find my self wondering what may have been!

Every book you find on the shelf tells you about the history, the places to visit and the culture in Egypt, however this book provides something more - something that I wasn't even aware that I needed in the first place.

Travel Egypt Nile Cruise is for today's tourist.

There is a good deal of information about the sights to see and Egyptian history (enough to keep anyone happy); however, this book really stands alone as the author covers a wide range of topics from bartering tricks and tips to sunstroke avoidance on those long tourist outings. Her no nonsense and whimisical approach kept me informed and entertained throughout. Some of the advice proved invaluable during our stay and I'm sure would prove just as invaluable to other 'First Timers'. (Check out the bit about the boat trip!!!)

This book didn't just provide me with information on what to see and where to go; it gave me an insight on how to get there and how to act in this strange yet amazing country.

An invaluable, superb book. A must if you are visiting Egypt (or indeed any middle east country) for the first time, the second time or even if you are a regular vistor. This author really knows her stuff!

Steve.

Excellent packed with information , 23 Oct 2008
A fantastic, informative book, although lacking in religious discourse which formed much of ancient egyptian life. However, a marvellous reference book all the same. Would have been better in a larger format as difficult to read at times.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




'Ology book fan, 10 Nov 2008
This was the first of this type of book bought for my daughter about a year ago, who is now 10. One turn of the front page and both of us were hooked. These are beautiful works of art, combined with lots of information and little flaps and envelopes to add to the experience.

The appeal of these books are that they are ageless, although a very young child would need to be watched as they are fragile and bits could easily be lost or damaged.

I don't think we will ever want to get rid of these books as they are so appealing and we have subsequently gone on to buy many others in the series such as Mythology, Wizardology, Dragonology etc.all highly recommended.

A treasure trove, 24 Feb 2008
My seven year old used her xmas vouchers to buy this book and wants to take it with her wherever she goes, she loves it. It's beautifully put together with accurate and detailed information but in an imaginitive and exciting way that I know I would have loved when I was a child. The detail and care with which this book has been created is a credit to everyone involved.

Entertaining and Educational!, 12 Aug 2007
Find out so much about real - life Egyptians. There are abstracts from Osiris' tomb, bits of cloths and pages and pages of information on the most facinating people that walked this planet.
It is filled with hidden puzzles, activitys and more. This is a perfect present for anyone over the age of 9! Join in the fun! And for such a fantastic price I promise that you will not be dissapointed!
5 stars!
Thanks for reading!

a beautiful book!, 03 Apr 2007
A wonderful book - my children loved it and it's definately one to keep for the grandchildren in years to come!! Full of suprises and a beautiful book to look at. One that you can keep on coming back to. It is one of a series and in my opinion - the best one of the lot. (If you like this one - it's worth looking at 'Dragonology, 'Wizardology' and 'Pirateology'.)

Egyptology review, 10 Nov 2005
Egyptology is simply brilliant.Like the rest of the templar family Egyptology is both practical and pretty with charts of international distances mingling with beautifully drawn illustrations,with a playable senet game and intricate models this Emily Sands book is also a practical introducion to egyptology.This cleverly written book should be treasured and adored because in literature there are very few equals.Please buy this book and if you like then there is a world of excellent templar books out there.Thanks for reading from Master George David Bell.

Great Fun, 26 Feb 2007
I love this little book and have noticed there is another one in the Egyptian series. :-)

It's great fun for adults and children alike. I actually bought this for making my own stationary, and I've had fun doing it.


Excellent and very easy to use, 01 May 2008
I have seen several books on egyptian heiroglyphs and I have to say this is the best one for beginners by far. Collier takes the reader step by step through the maze which is ancient egyptian language. It explains how to tell which order to read them, how to decipher with relation to context as well as many excercises after each chapter to ensure you can put into practice what you have learnt. For anyone looking to learn this is the book for you!

An excellent book!!, 12 Dec 2005
A brilliant book which is clear, easy to understand, and simple enough for anyone who is dedicated and has an open mind to learn from. I am only 16 years old, so if I can already read simple offering formulas and descriptions of ethical behaviour, most people can. It gets harder as the book progresses but not too hard that I get stuck, and if I am desperate, there are answers to the exercises in the back to help me work out what I have done wrong so I can learn from my mistakes. I am already on chapter 7 and have already had no problems with it, because the teaching is step-by-step until the end of every chapter when there are exercises to do, which are accompanied by vocabulary lists to help transliterate and translate, and in the back of the book there are sign lists with info and even a short dictionary. There is enough in this small book to be able to go to museums or even Egypt itself and impress those around you by the skills you have learnt from this book! This is a perfect start to my career in Egyptology!

Cat Square Squiggle God-symbol, 22 Nov 2005
Well, what title should I give for a book on Egyptian hieroglyphs?

Actually, the information blurb from the Library Journal linked to the book's entry here states: 'Reference collections desiring more complete coverage will want Alan Gardiner's Egyptian Grammar (1957. 3d ed.) despite some obsolescence in the treatment of the verbal system.'

I actually learned hieroglyphs using that text at the University of London in the 1980s. But I have assembled a collection of more accessible books on how to learn hieroglyphs as refreshers and for sharing. I have four texts, and this was the first of the lot.

If you are truly interested in learning Egyptian hieroglyphs for an upcoming trip to Egypt or to visit a museum with a collection (I amazed a friend once by being able to read an inscription at the museum; I confessed that of the hundreds of 'paragraphs' of hieroglyphs in the collection, that that was one of only two I could decipher without my notebook), Collier and Manley's 'How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs' is a good choice for learning.

It begins with a basic description of the way in which hieroglyphs are used (some signs are words, but actually very few, and others are sound-meaning symbols). Collier and Manley introduce a transliteration system to ease your way into pronunciation (and pronunciation is very sketchy, given the fact there are no recordings from ancient Egypt). Symbols can vary occasionally for sound, meaning, and determinative value.

The pattern of hieroglyphs is also variable. Generally, you always want to 'read into the face', i.e., the picto-glyphs will be facing the direction from which to start -- more often right to left than left to right, and columns go top to bottom. There are no punctuation marks and no word breaks -- this can make meanings hard to decipher.

Consider the example:

IAMNOWHERE
which could be broken into
I AM NOW HERE
or
I AM NOWHERE
and in this case, context might not help provide which meaning is the true one. Or perhaps the author is poetical and sees the trouble of distinction and means that trouble to be present.

No wonder hieroglyphs are hard!

Collier and Manley's book is excellent in basic vocabulary building and basic grammar. And, if you're like me and will make flash cards, you'll become a better draw-er too.

There are exercises, and pictures of inscriptions to practice on, and a key to the exercises in the back of the book.

Hieroglyphs, 17 Apr 2005
This book is a good introduction, however it could have been a lot better. The explanations are quite good but it doesn't confirm to the number system of most other books. Which mars what was a good primer. The diagrams were on the whole good. I would say that this was a good book to get people interested. The title is a bit over the top, since you will not be reading that many inscriptions with the information provided. All in all a decent enough book.

Excellent for General Interest or further study, 09 Feb 2005
Brilliant Book. Very detailed and easily used. Parts of it are a little hard going but the effort is worth it when you visit somewhere like the British Museam or Egypt itself.
I enjoyed it so much i took Bill Manleys Class on the book at Glasgow University

fun history, 21 Nov 2008
This book helped to get my 8 year old son into reading (he's now 10 and reads a lot). It also gave him historical info and background in a fun way. He's read most of the series and also listens to the CDs. Get the books from your local library. Great stuff!

HOT OFF THE PRESS - APRIL 2007 - REPRINTED EDITION with a NEW COVER!, 17 Apr 2007
(-) Amazon Review Tracker

`The Awesome Egyptians gives you some awful information about phabulous Pharaohs and poverty-stricken peasants - who lived an awesome 5000 years ago!

Want to know:-

which king had the worst blackheads?
why some kings had to wear false beards?
why the peasants were revolting?


Read on to find some foul facts about death and decay, revolting recipes for 3000-year-old sweets, how to make a mean mummy, and some awful Egyptian arithmetic.
History with the nasty bits left in!
History has never been so horrible!'

A witty, colourful cover opens to 140 pages, split over 12 chapters:-

Egyptian fact-file
Awesome Egyptian events
Phascinating Pharaohs
The power of the pyramids
The pyramids
The magic of the mummies
The curse of the mummy's tomb
Gruesome grave robbers
The remarkable river
A gallery of gods
Awesome troublesome Egyptians
Live like an Egyptian

with an introduction and an epilogue.

Written with the typical Deary humour, aided by Peter Hepplewhite - in a variety of fonts, and superb illustrations/cartoons throughout, from Martin Brown.

Not fit to travel!, 20 Dec 2008
I've been using Lonely Planet for all my previous trips and they've been alright aside from few occasions when they screwed me over with their outdated or completely wrong information. Don't look for much information in them anyways as long as they get me to bus stations and cheap hotels. More importantly, every one of my LP lasted without single page missing after months of being thrown around and getting soaked with water, beer, and whatelse. When few pages start falling off the book few hours after purchase it is a bad quality book. Especially when it is a travel guide! And that's what happened to this book even before the journey started, and for that this book fails as a travel guide!
The information in this Rough Guide seems to be more lengthy and rich, formatting o