For centuries, Egypt has been at the crossroads of civilisations, where pharaohs ruled, empires clashed, and cultures mingled. Today, it continues to draw visitors from around the world, and it is, of course, a bucket list destination for many travellers.
That said, the country has seen its share of turmoil, and it is arguably one that is difficult to define: The luxury resorts of the Red Sea seem a million miles away from the slums of Greater Cairo; the mysticism of the Pyramids offer a stark contrast to the realities of modern politics in a region full of strife.
Image provided by Omar Adel (Unsplash)
Yet, there are some brilliant books out there that can help us understand Egypt’s complexities and contradictions. Below, we present eight of the best: four that give you an understanding of Egypt’s ancient past, and four that help you understand the modern iteration of one of the world’s most fascinating countries.
Ancient Egypt
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Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz
If you want to have a fully contextualized understanding of the deities you’ll meet in movies like Gods of Egypt or the symbols you play with in games like Rise of Giza Powernudge, then Barbara Mertz’s book is the one for you. It tells the story of Egypt’s ancient civilizations but also frames it through the eyes of contemporary historians and adventurers who uncovered its secrets.
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson
A brilliant book if you want to look beyond the myths and into the realities of Ancient Egyptian civilisations, delving into the politics, societal structures and even economics across the course of 3,000 years. It’s highly recommended for beginners who wish a solid introduction to Ancient Egypt.
The Search for God in Ancient Egypt by Jan Assmann
A unique look at the area of ancient Egyptians and their gods, asking not just who those deities were but how they came to be. As such, the book questions an early civilization’s quest to find meaning in the world they inhabited.
Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz
We have included a second book by Barbara Mertz as it gives a unique take on the quotidian lives of people living in Ancient Egypt. Mertz was a gifted fiction author as well as a renowned Egyptologist, so her vivacious writing tells a story that eclipses what you would usually see in dry history books.
Modern Egypt
Egypt: A Short History by Robert L. Tignor
Can you condense thousands of years of history into a concise tome? It’s tough, but Robert Tignor manages to bring readers up to speed about everything from the days of the Pharaohs to the modern struggles of the 20th and 21st centuries. A fantastic book for understanding the bridge between Egypt’s past and present.
The Struggle for Egypt: From Nasser to Tahrir Square by Steven Cook
The most significant event in Egypt’s modern history is the 1952 revolution that brought Gamal Abdel Nasser to power. Steven Cook’s book begins with that revolution, charting its way through the story of the country – sometimes peaceful and prosperous, sometimes tumultuous – up to the Arab Spring of 2011. It’s a Westerner’s viewpoint, but it’s an important one for understanding how modern Egypt has been shaped.
The Modern Middle East: A History by James L. Gelvin
While this book looks at the region broadly, it focuses on Egypt’s place as both a peacemaker and antagonist within the political Middle East. It’s a great choice if you wish to understand the legacy of colonialism in Egypt and the wider region and see how it transformed the people and the politics.
The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
We will finish with a work of fiction – a trilogy of novels, in fact. Naguib Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy gives a fascinating insight into Egypt on the brink of shaking off British rule and finding a new nationalism. While fictional, it’s considered one of the best portrayals of Egypt’s lurch into modernity.
Have you read anything on Egypt, either about the ancient world or the Egypt of today that you would recommend to others?
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