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The Nile: A Journey Downriver Through Egypt's Past and Present
A hypnotic journey in the company of one of the world's most acclaimed Egyptologists over the fabled river telling how the Nile continually brought life to an ancient civilization now dead and how it sustained its successors, now in tumult.
Renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson leads us through space as much as from the river's mystical sources (the Blue Nile which rises in Ethiopia, and the White Nile coursing from majestic Lake Victoria); to Thebes, with its Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Luxor Temple; the fertile Delta; Giza, home of the Great Pyramid, the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; and finally, to the pulsating capital city of Cairo, where the Arab Spring erupted on the bridges over the Nile. Along the way, he introduces us to mysterious and fabled characters-the gods, godlike pharaohs, emperors and empresses, who joined their fate to the Nile and gained immortality; the adventurers, archaeologists, and historians who have all fallen under its spell. With matchless erudition and storytelling skill, through a lens equal to both panoramas and close-ups, Wilkinson brings millennia of history into view.
Renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson leads us through space as much as from the river's mystical sources (the Blue Nile which rises in Ethiopia, and the White Nile coursing from majestic Lake Victoria); to Thebes, with its Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Luxor Temple; the fertile Delta; Giza, home of the Great Pyramid, the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; and finally, to the pulsating capital city of Cairo, where the Arab Spring erupted on the bridges over the Nile. Along the way, he introduces us to mysterious and fabled characters-the gods, godlike pharaohs, emperors and empresses, who joined their fate to the Nile and gained immortality; the adventurers, archaeologists, and historians who have all fallen under its spell. With matchless erudition and storytelling skill, through a lens equal to both panoramas and close-ups, Wilkinson brings millennia of history into view.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
209 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
Toby Wilkinson
17 books281 followersDr Toby Wilkinson joined the International Strategy Office in July 2011, working with the Pro Vice Chancellor (Jennifer Barnes) to support the schools, faculties and departments in their international engagements, and to develop the University's international strategy, particularly with regard to research collaborations and relationships with the EU, US, India and China. Prior to this, Dr Wilkinson was the Development Director at Clare College as well as Chairman of Cambridge Colleges Development Group.
As an acknowledged expert on ancient Egyptian civilisation and one of the leading Egyptologists of his generation, Toby Wilkinson has lectured around the world. He has excavated at the Egyptian sites of Buto and Memphis. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History and has broadcast on radio and television in the UK and abroad, including BBC’s Horizon and Channel 4’s Private Lives of the Pharaohs, and was the consultant for the BBC’s award-winning documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid.
Upon graduating from the University of Cambridge he received the University’s Thomas Mulvey Prize and was elected to the prestigious Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology. He is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge and an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham.
As an acknowledged expert on ancient Egyptian civilisation and one of the leading Egyptologists of his generation, Toby Wilkinson has lectured around the world. He has excavated at the Egyptian sites of Buto and Memphis. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Egyptian History and has broadcast on radio and television in the UK and abroad, including BBC’s Horizon and Channel 4’s Private Lives of the Pharaohs, and was the consultant for the BBC’s award-winning documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid.
Upon graduating from the University of Cambridge he received the University’s Thomas Mulvey Prize and was elected to the prestigious Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellowship in Egyptology. He is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge and an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 3, 2017
Effortlessly dipping into the annals of history, both ancient and recent, The Nile: Downriver Through Egypt’s Past and Present, brings more than 7,000 years of Egypt's past to life in this wonderfully written book. Sparingly using some of his own personal experiences whilst travelling through Egypt on multiple occasions, Wilkinson also provides a glimpse to its future, in this extremely accessible history/travel book.
Whilst Herodotus stated that Egypt is "the gift of the river", Wilkinson puts it just as poetically by proclaiming that “Egypt is the Nile, the Nile Egypt”. The importance of the Nile River region to Egypt is highlighted in that it constitutes less than 5% of the country by area, but is responsible for supporting more than 96% of its population. Consequently most of the historical events of note took place close to its waters and Wilkinson takes us on a journey northwards with the flow of this great river using the Nile as the vessel for presenting the history of Egypt.
Following the river northwards ensures a focus on each particular region and the history shaping events and peoples from these area rather than setting these up in chronological order. Through the course of the book, we visit many places which will already be familiar, such as Luxor and Giza, whilst also visiting a wide range of lesser known places that have been instrumental in defining Egypt's history such as Abydos, Antinoopolis and Fayum.
In addition to highlighting a raft of lesser known sites worth visiting, The Nile also does an admirable job of placing you alongside the better known sites instantly conjuring up images of these places for those fortunate enough to have marvelled upon these previously. There are a lot of different names to come to grips with, both places, rulers and archaeologists and the book jumps around a bit with regards the overall timeline of Egypt's history, but the quality of writing ensures the book remains easy to follow and fascinating to read.
This is a must read for anyone who thinks Egypt consists only of the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings or believes Howard Carter was the only Egyptologist/archaeologist with a story worth telling. For anyone looking to travel to Egypt, even in these more troubled times, you could do a lot worse than throwing away your guidebook of choice and instead replacing it instead with The Nile as your comprehensive go to guide for Egypt. How I wish this book was written when I travelled through this most ancient of countries many years ago.
Whilst Herodotus stated that Egypt is "the gift of the river", Wilkinson puts it just as poetically by proclaiming that “Egypt is the Nile, the Nile Egypt”. The importance of the Nile River region to Egypt is highlighted in that it constitutes less than 5% of the country by area, but is responsible for supporting more than 96% of its population. Consequently most of the historical events of note took place close to its waters and Wilkinson takes us on a journey northwards with the flow of this great river using the Nile as the vessel for presenting the history of Egypt.
Following the river northwards ensures a focus on each particular region and the history shaping events and peoples from these area rather than setting these up in chronological order. Through the course of the book, we visit many places which will already be familiar, such as Luxor and Giza, whilst also visiting a wide range of lesser known places that have been instrumental in defining Egypt's history such as Abydos, Antinoopolis and Fayum.
In addition to highlighting a raft of lesser known sites worth visiting, The Nile also does an admirable job of placing you alongside the better known sites instantly conjuring up images of these places for those fortunate enough to have marvelled upon these previously. There are a lot of different names to come to grips with, both places, rulers and archaeologists and the book jumps around a bit with regards the overall timeline of Egypt's history, but the quality of writing ensures the book remains easy to follow and fascinating to read.
This is a must read for anyone who thinks Egypt consists only of the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings or believes Howard Carter was the only Egyptologist/archaeologist with a story worth telling. For anyone looking to travel to Egypt, even in these more troubled times, you could do a lot worse than throwing away your guidebook of choice and instead replacing it instead with The Nile as your comprehensive go to guide for Egypt. How I wish this book was written when I travelled through this most ancient of countries many years ago.
February 17, 2022
This book has some interesting information on the history and geography of Egypt but is presented in a manner that I found to be not quite comprehensive or that fits into a coordinated story. Instead, it is more of a series of interesting anecdotes, like its description of Elephantine, an island on the Nile that was once occupied by a community of Jews, and Antinoöpolis (present-day El Sheikh Ebada), an ancient Roman city founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian and named after his homosexual lover who drowned in the Nile near the site.
July 24, 2018
A good weaving of ancient and recent history through a journey down the Nile. Well written and the stories hold your attention.
January 19, 2018
This book was suggested reading for an upcoming trip we have planned. It is a great introduction to the Nile and Egypt. Obviously there is a lot there and a lot to learn if you want to truly know the history of thousands of years. The author makes what could be very dry reading enjoyable. Recommend if you are going on a Nile trip.
November 10, 2014
Fascinating story with a vast array of ways to look at Nile River culture from Upper to Lower Egypt. The story brings in inhabitants, visitors, habitat, engineering, landscape, archaeology, rulers, religion, towns, making a documentary from all of those observations. An interesting fact was that no more of Egypt's most dangerous predator on humans and animals exist today, the crocodile. The author always brings to life the empty spaces along the river in which were once vibrant, influential cultures and unspoiled tombs. Also is the effect of dams which drench agricultural fields with salinity. The book tells a documentary as if one is listening to a narrator while winding downstream from old Nubia to the Fayoum and Delta.
January 1, 2020
This is a very readable, informative book about Egypt's history (including a lot about various archaeologists, both famous and not-so-famous), focused on the Nile. I learned a lot about Egypt reading this, and suspect I may re-read parts again. I would give this an A-, so four stars here.
April 25, 2015
Despite the present day turmoil in Egypt this book provides an illuminating look at a Country with a wonderful history through the Centuries and the River that provides life to it all. The Author is a Master of his Subject and the book is speckled with anecdotes of the many people who lived or visited along the River. One can understand why so many visitors were captivated by the Monuments found everywhere and the search goes on today with the hope that young Egyptians will take their Country back from the Despots and create a better life for everyone. Very good read.
January 2, 2018
If you’ll be visiting Egypt and cruising the Nile, particularly in a smaller boat, this is a must-read. It was an essential companion reference to the sites we toured, even with our knowledgeable guide. We read it before our trip and referenced it often throughout. Experiences from past travelers come to life through letters and stories compiled in the book. It’s an interesting and compelling read for anyone interested in Egyptian history.
May 31, 2019
I bought this book just before heading to Egypt for a cruise from Cairo to Aswan. I wish I had picked it up much earlier and finished it before the trip. As it was, I read it on the boat and most of it was in reverse order to my journey. My reading crossed through the book halfway through the trip and the insights provided really started to make sense as I visited the locations mentioned. It was an easy and interesting read.
May 16, 2016
This book aims to tell the story of Egypt while traversing the Nile. It is well-written, and the author is clearly knowledgeable. However, the book is overly focused on ancient Egypt, to the point that the modern state is barely mentioned, so it was not what I was expecting.
October 14, 2024
Other than the fact we traveled Cairo to Aswan, I loved this book. A great source prior to travel.
April 29, 2025
I feel like I should come back to this book if and when I plan a trip to Egypt someday (one can hope!). As a travelogue this book lacked colour. Unfortunately, it was primarily a description of sights with very brief or disjointed history into them. As a historic piece it lacked detail and cohesion- the author dipped into a piece of history, provided no context, and moved on. Perhaps it was due to a lack of focus? I picked it up hoping it’s like empires of the Indus but it wasn’t at all. What’s more the book really should be titled a European history of the Nile because it was much more focused on providing European context and interaction with Egypt than an independent history of Egypt.
November 18, 2015
The author has taken an interesting approach to the history of Egypt and the Nile river, starting at what is known as the First Nile Cataract where rocks and changes in water level prevent navigation any further from one direction or the other on the Nile. In this case, starting at the First Cataract he could travel uninterrupted down the Nile to the delta and mouth of the Nile in the north where it flows into the Mediterranean.
His research is impressive and takes us, in each part of his travel, from the earliest recorded history of human occupation up to 2011 when his book was being completed.
Egypt holds no particular interest to me but I had been lent the book. I was fascinated by the detail and anecdotes that the author was able to reveal from his very detailed research and knowledge.
His research is impressive and takes us, in each part of his travel, from the earliest recorded history of human occupation up to 2011 when his book was being completed.
Egypt holds no particular interest to me but I had been lent the book. I was fascinated by the detail and anecdotes that the author was able to reveal from his very detailed research and knowledge.
August 23, 2017
A mixture of Egypt's past and present starting in the south and traveling to Cairo. I wish I had had the experience of cruising the Nile in a dahabiya but Amelia Edwards "Thousand Miles up the Nile", is quoted and gives a nice contrast to the modern Nile Cruise. Armed with Google Earth, it was easy to identify the places visited in the text, many not on the usual tourist route.
A pleasant and enjoyable read, that provides a great insight into the current state of Egypt and its people by examining the past.
A pleasant and enjoyable read, that provides a great insight into the current state of Egypt and its people by examining the past.
April 14, 2021
One of the hazards of writing books with an agenda in mind is sometimes things change to make that agenda ring more than a little bit hollow. Like all too many other writers, the author makes a great deal of hay out of the Arab Spring protests that overthrew the existing Egyptian government and that led to an election that chose a president from the Muslim Brotherhood who was all too quickly overthrown by a return to military rule, and though the author acknowledges this in an afterword, he did not change his book to reflect the fact that history did not follow the tendency he thought it was going to. Writing with progress in mind is tough to do in light of humanity and it certainly shapes this book in negative ways. What could have been seen as a deeply interesting book about the importance of the Nile to Egyptian history down to the present day is harmed a bit by the author's desire to shoehorn this theme into a mistaken idea of the course of politics. Such matters as who rules in the present day and whether Egypt is on a path towards representative democracy as the author might wish to hope are best left for false prophets and not for historians.
This book is between 250 and 300 pages long and is divided into ten chapters. The book begins with a map of the Nile River and a preface. After that the author talks about the Nile as Egypt's Eternal River (1), however much that might be threatened at present. This is followed by a look at Aswan (2) and the question of the river's source. After that the author looks at the deep south where Egypt begins, mostly in obscure towns and villages (3). This is followed by a chapter on Luxor as a city of wonders (4) and then on Western Thebes' realm of the dead (5). After that there is a look at Qift and Qena as the center of Egypt as well as important provinces (6) that have always remained provincial. Then come chapters on Abydos (7), as a place of religious mysteries, as well as a look at Memphis as a cradle of religion (8). The book then contains two chapters about the Fayum (9) and its role as a lake in Egypt's desert as well as Cairo (10) as Egypt's capital. The book ends with a postscript, timeline, notes, suggestions for further reading, acknowledgements, and an index.
It is a shame that the author finds it necessary to talk so much about politics, because at the heart of this book is an account of the author's interest in the Nile and in its complex history. The author chronicles a mixture of generally obscure places along the course of the Nile downstream from Aswan to the delta, including small villages that have never had a great deal of political power but whose importance to Egyptian economics has always been high. This is a reminder that there has often been a disconnected between people of power and the places that provide the resources for those in power. Those areas which hold political power have often been fought over and thus have often have had periods without population due to their being fought over. The author explores famous and obscure people and places, pointing out places that are worth seeing that tourists seldom see, and thus doing service to the hipster intended audience who like to go off the beaten path and see what glorious of ancient Egypt remain largely unknown despite many who go there.
This book is between 250 and 300 pages long and is divided into ten chapters. The book begins with a map of the Nile River and a preface. After that the author talks about the Nile as Egypt's Eternal River (1), however much that might be threatened at present. This is followed by a look at Aswan (2) and the question of the river's source. After that the author looks at the deep south where Egypt begins, mostly in obscure towns and villages (3). This is followed by a chapter on Luxor as a city of wonders (4) and then on Western Thebes' realm of the dead (5). After that there is a look at Qift and Qena as the center of Egypt as well as important provinces (6) that have always remained provincial. Then come chapters on Abydos (7), as a place of religious mysteries, as well as a look at Memphis as a cradle of religion (8). The book then contains two chapters about the Fayum (9) and its role as a lake in Egypt's desert as well as Cairo (10) as Egypt's capital. The book ends with a postscript, timeline, notes, suggestions for further reading, acknowledgements, and an index.
It is a shame that the author finds it necessary to talk so much about politics, because at the heart of this book is an account of the author's interest in the Nile and in its complex history. The author chronicles a mixture of generally obscure places along the course of the Nile downstream from Aswan to the delta, including small villages that have never had a great deal of political power but whose importance to Egyptian economics has always been high. This is a reminder that there has often been a disconnected between people of power and the places that provide the resources for those in power. Those areas which hold political power have often been fought over and thus have often have had periods without population due to their being fought over. The author explores famous and obscure people and places, pointing out places that are worth seeing that tourists seldom see, and thus doing service to the hipster intended audience who like to go off the beaten path and see what glorious of ancient Egypt remain largely unknown despite many who go there.
June 17, 2025
The Nile is an absorbing read for all those interested in Ancient Egypt, a sort of sampler of the country’s rich history, written by Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson. It’s approached something like an actual Nile river cruise, with Wilkinson as your guide, pointing out geographical features and feeding you information on temples, tombs and historical figures as you wend your way gradually north. The book is chock-full of interesting tidbits (the first recorded workers strike in history occurred in the Valley of the Kings) and quirky eccentrics (such as Umm Setty, the Englishwoman who haunted the temple at Abydos, convinced she was the reincarnated lover of Seti I).
However, The Nile is not just a book about Ancient Egypt, but modern Egypt as well (or so it asserts in the novel’s subtitle). And the modern portion is where it falls short. It’s understandable, given Wilkinson’s background, that he might devote far more time to the former than the latter. His interest lies in the Egypt of yore, as well as 19th and 20th century archaeology, and he covers both extensively. This is a perfectly forgivable indulgence.
Less forgivable is the manner in which he discusses modern Egypt. The author gives in to the tendencies of many earlier generations of European travelers to Egypt, bemoaning modern progress, while romanticizing its ancient and rural past. I also found it bizarre how many of the pages of this book were given over to talking about Europeans and Christians in Egypt. By contrast, he spends almost no time talking about Muslims and contemporary Egyptians (other than to complain about the government).
Look I get it- modern Egypt has a lot of issues. I visited recently, and saw many of them for myself. But I found modern Egypt to be as rich and fascinating a place as Ancient Egypt (and certainly more lively). Books like this leave readers with the impression that the only worthwhile things about the country are the relics of a long-gone era, and that it's been in a downward spiral ever since. Which is a true shame.
Would’ve rated it higher if not for this. The Nile was a bit of a slow read, but an interesting one, and well-researched. Would recommend to anyone who has an interest in the historical aspects of the country.
However, The Nile is not just a book about Ancient Egypt, but modern Egypt as well (or so it asserts in the novel’s subtitle). And the modern portion is where it falls short. It’s understandable, given Wilkinson’s background, that he might devote far more time to the former than the latter. His interest lies in the Egypt of yore, as well as 19th and 20th century archaeology, and he covers both extensively. This is a perfectly forgivable indulgence.
Less forgivable is the manner in which he discusses modern Egypt. The author gives in to the tendencies of many earlier generations of European travelers to Egypt, bemoaning modern progress, while romanticizing its ancient and rural past. I also found it bizarre how many of the pages of this book were given over to talking about Europeans and Christians in Egypt. By contrast, he spends almost no time talking about Muslims and contemporary Egyptians (other than to complain about the government).
Look I get it- modern Egypt has a lot of issues. I visited recently, and saw many of them for myself. But I found modern Egypt to be as rich and fascinating a place as Ancient Egypt (and certainly more lively). Books like this leave readers with the impression that the only worthwhile things about the country are the relics of a long-gone era, and that it's been in a downward spiral ever since. Which is a true shame.
Would’ve rated it higher if not for this. The Nile was a bit of a slow read, but an interesting one, and well-researched. Would recommend to anyone who has an interest in the historical aspects of the country.
February 12, 2022
You really need to look at a map in order to even begin to understand Egypt; otherwise, you will be all turned around. For example, this north African country is divided into three regions: Upper, Middle, and Lower Egypt. Logic would tell you that Upper Egypt should encompass Cairo and Alexandria while hugging the Mediterranean; Egypt would tell you that you are wrong. Cairo is, in fact, in Lower Egypt, and Upper Egypt is about 600 miles to the south with Aswan as its base. So if you decide to go on a journey down the Nile with Toby Wikinson: are you going up or down? Let's just say you're going north.
Wilkinson, renowned Egyptologist and our erudite and slyly funny guide, takes us down into the past while traveling up the Nile. The down into past is like falling into a rabbit hole as Arab, Islamic, European, Christian, Roman, Jewish, Nubian, Assyrian, and Pharaohnic history with temples, tombs, and Tuts whizzing by us, but Wilkinson somehow connects the events of a long time ago B.C. to the Arab Spring in 2011. He brings what could be esoteric material to life and humanizes the past, showing the realities of life in the ancient world and how the country tries to deal with that legacy today. His book is divided into chapters that each focus on a region as we travel up the river. In each he begins with the role of that area in the past and how that area has changed over time to the modern day. He provides just enough information while also going out of his way to highlight the key players who are generally overlooked or lost to history. His extensive knowledge is imbued by his obvious love of the country and its people. Throughout his focus is on the Nile as it is the life force of Egypt. Reading this book really feels like taking a tour down the river with him. If you are planning a trip to this multi-faceted country, I highly recommend it.
Wilkinson, renowned Egyptologist and our erudite and slyly funny guide, takes us down into the past while traveling up the Nile. The down into past is like falling into a rabbit hole as Arab, Islamic, European, Christian, Roman, Jewish, Nubian, Assyrian, and Pharaohnic history with temples, tombs, and Tuts whizzing by us, but Wilkinson somehow connects the events of a long time ago B.C. to the Arab Spring in 2011. He brings what could be esoteric material to life and humanizes the past, showing the realities of life in the ancient world and how the country tries to deal with that legacy today. His book is divided into chapters that each focus on a region as we travel up the river. In each he begins with the role of that area in the past and how that area has changed over time to the modern day. He provides just enough information while also going out of his way to highlight the key players who are generally overlooked or lost to history. His extensive knowledge is imbued by his obvious love of the country and its people. Throughout his focus is on the Nile as it is the life force of Egypt. Reading this book really feels like taking a tour down the river with him. If you are planning a trip to this multi-faceted country, I highly recommend it.
June 23, 2023
Reading this book really made me feel like I was travelling in Egypt alongside Toby Wilkinson while he narrates as the trip goes by! This was a little bit different in comparison to his other works as this book had a more personal and present tone of narration. The author injects his personal opinions, his excitement, and his concerns more than usual. It really felt like as if a friend was telling you their personal experience and all the knowledge they knew on the subject matter.
I appreciated the way this book was written as he transitions and paces his narrative from the important ancient historical context, slowly guiding you to the not-so-distant past incidents of its evolution into a Coptic or Islamist state, and then ending each chapter with the at-present political climate of each particular location. I got the story of life of The Nile from its very early beginnings to now, the present.
While previous books I’ve read by other authors who tackle the main subject of the Nile would focus on the gods & goddesses, invasions, local deities, pharaohs with significant incidents, and significant historical points as they take you down each location within the Nile… same old, same old (still very interesting but you get what I mean), this was a totally different approach on the Nile and it really kept me engaged and I learned a few new things along the way.
Truly a page turner, great read.
I appreciated the way this book was written as he transitions and paces his narrative from the important ancient historical context, slowly guiding you to the not-so-distant past incidents of its evolution into a Coptic or Islamist state, and then ending each chapter with the at-present political climate of each particular location. I got the story of life of The Nile from its very early beginnings to now, the present.
While previous books I’ve read by other authors who tackle the main subject of the Nile would focus on the gods & goddesses, invasions, local deities, pharaohs with significant incidents, and significant historical points as they take you down each location within the Nile… same old, same old (still very interesting but you get what I mean), this was a totally different approach on the Nile and it really kept me engaged and I learned a few new things along the way.
Truly a page turner, great read.
October 20, 2024
Preparing for a once in a lifetime trip to a place that is incredibly consequential in the history of the world, I needed a refresher on the ancient history of Egypt. It is a lot to take in since there are so many millennia to cover when you talk about the history of this special place. This book presents this history as if you were traveling down the Nile River from the headwaters in Rwanda to the vast Nile Delta and Cairo. My non-scientific research of perusing the Barnes and Noble history/travel sections tell me that Toby Wilkinson, the author, is a current prolific Egyptologist. However, his writing goes well beyond the ancient world to also tell the story of the long history of plundering the ancient artifacts for money and prestige. In telling the stories of ancient Egypt he also tells the story of the Egyptologists that have come before him, and extensively references writings of Amelia Edwards who founded the Egypt Exploration Society in 1873. I found the history of uncovering the history of this magical place also incredibly interesting. Have I committed all of this ancient and storied history to memory after listening to this book, no, but I did get a taste of how it all fits together and I am sure it will make all make a little more sense once I get on the ground in Egypt.
February 16, 2020
Wilkinson managed to address Egyptian history, culture, geography, religion, archaeology, and significant figures, all while making the reader feel like they were simply taking a pleasure sail down the Nile. The structure of focusing on a region or city and delving into the history it contains is genius, taking away any sense of being overwhelmed with information. Plus, Wilkinson’s obvious love for this country along one of the world’s most famous rivers shows through, so that the reader can’t help but be interested. A great way to start my “Everything Egypt” year; I found many more topics to explore while reading this book. Recommended to anyone interested in ancient history, the Middle East in general, or religious practices.
I’ve never had a huge desire to travel to Egypt—Europe is more my dream vacation—but now, I want to see everything that Egypt holds in its ancient heart. What a strange land, where Upper Egypt is lower on the map, and downriver means moving north. Geographically, I felt like I was in a vortex for awhile, took some time to orient myself to the locations. But the history is no less rich, strange, and engaging. The deeply engrained traditions, surviving so many governments; the masterful architecture; and the Nile itself, giving life to a desert.
I’ve never had a huge desire to travel to Egypt—Europe is more my dream vacation—but now, I want to see everything that Egypt holds in its ancient heart. What a strange land, where Upper Egypt is lower on the map, and downriver means moving north. Geographically, I felt like I was in a vortex for awhile, took some time to orient myself to the locations. But the history is no less rich, strange, and engaging. The deeply engrained traditions, surviving so many governments; the masterful architecture; and the Nile itself, giving life to a desert.
February 20, 2023
Having recently finished reading Toby Wilkinson's The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: The History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra, I found some of the ancient history familiar; however, the author's personal experiences along the Nile is of great interest. My perspective of a place I've never visited must be informed not only by its historical data but by the interactions of the inhabitants of the location, and in this case the interactions between the author and the inhabitants of the various cities and towns he has been to. Very fascinating, as is the information of historical figures that may be not as well known. Amelia Edwards, Flinders Petrie and Omm Seti, for example, are real people who had real lives who clearly loved the country and had unique relationships with Egypt. All this helped me grow my understanding of the subject, while proving to be an enjoyable read.
April 1, 2025
Toby Wilkinson at his best.
If you are interested in ancient Egyptian history, or Egyptian history in general, this book is a fantastic journey to take. From where the Nile begins to where it ends on the delta, Wilkinson takes us on an epic journey which Amelia Edwards, the original Nile documentarian, would have been happy to read herself!
A continuous thread of history, old and new, seamlessly integrated in a journey which begs the reader to read in a continuous unbroken session. Of course that is not what I did, but it is a book which you can't wait to pick up once again the following day.
I was not a fan of Wilkinson's Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt, but like Tutankhamun's Trumpet, this type of book where the journey is the destination, is where this author really shines.
The only thing that holds this book back from 5 stars is that it was written right after the Arab Spring, so at this point it's already 14 years old, and much has changed in Egypt since then.
Regardless. Highly recommended.
If you are interested in ancient Egyptian history, or Egyptian history in general, this book is a fantastic journey to take. From where the Nile begins to where it ends on the delta, Wilkinson takes us on an epic journey which Amelia Edwards, the original Nile documentarian, would have been happy to read herself!
A continuous thread of history, old and new, seamlessly integrated in a journey which begs the reader to read in a continuous unbroken session. Of course that is not what I did, but it is a book which you can't wait to pick up once again the following day.
I was not a fan of Wilkinson's Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt, but like Tutankhamun's Trumpet, this type of book where the journey is the destination, is where this author really shines.
The only thing that holds this book back from 5 stars is that it was written right after the Arab Spring, so at this point it's already 14 years old, and much has changed in Egypt since then.
Regardless. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2023
This is sort of a travel book: ostensibly it chronicles a trip down the Nile from Aswan to Cairo; although Wilkinson obviously draws on multiple trips to Egypt from his student days on. It is really a sort of palimpsest of the author's experience of Egypt over time. The Nile is the overarching focus; Wilkinson uses sites that he visits to present vignettes of Egyptian history, ancient, medieval, and modern, as well as engaging sketches of individuals. The sketches cover notable archaeologists and explorers (e.g., Belzoni, Flinders Petrie, Gertrude Caton-Thompson) and great eccentrics such as Lucy Duff Gordon and Dorothy Eady (Omm Sety). Wilkinson also includes numerous personal anecdotes and observations from his travels in Egypt.
April 7, 2025
I've read two other books by Wilkinson (Tutankhamun's Trumpet: Ancient Egypt in 100 Objects from the Boy-King's Tomb, 5 stars, and A World Beneath the Sands: The Golden Age of Egyptology, 4 stars) so I was excited for this one. It didn't meet my high expectations, unfortunately, but was still interesting and generally well-written. The format -- telling Egyptian history through geography and not chronology -- may be disconcerting to some readers, but I found it to be effective storytelling. It will probably be much more enjoyable to a reader that hasn't already been wowed by the author, and who isn't comparing this book to his others.
(Note: I feel like the audiobook narrator did not do justice to the book, however, so I would advise reading, not listening.)
(Note: I feel like the audiobook narrator did not do justice to the book, however, so I would advise reading, not listening.)
March 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this book which details traveling down the Nile. The author takes a look at various places and provides both history and a modern update. I have been to many of the places discussed and that made it a trip down memory lane. One disappointment was that there was no mention of the Mena House Hotel. A beautiful place near the pyramids. As I looked out my window I saw them at night and in the morning, while having breakfast in the garden, there they were. Excellent writing style. Very engaging.
August 19, 2021
A beautifully written journey along the Nile, through the history and landscapes of Egypt drawn from the authors own numerous visits to the region. I enjoyed the blend of ancient and modern history. The sites associated with the Pharaohs and the Egyptologists who studied them are discussed together. Interesting to read about examples of Greek and Roman graffiti on Egyptian sites that were already ancient in classical times. I would have been interested to read more of the author's conversations with local people about this long history is perceived today in modern Egypt.
May 22, 2022
Outstanding Weaving of the History of The Nile
Wilkinson manages to tell the Nile's story so beautifully that I read many parts of it outloud to my husband. The added bonus for us is that we happened to be in Egypt seeing many of the places he wrote about. I was especially amazed at his skill at bringing in extra tidbits if history without bogging down the narrative. I feel like I met so many intriguing characters and understand the history of the places we visited so much better for having read this book.
Wilkinson manages to tell the Nile's story so beautifully that I read many parts of it outloud to my husband. The added bonus for us is that we happened to be in Egypt seeing many of the places he wrote about. I was especially amazed at his skill at bringing in extra tidbits if history without bogging down the narrative. I feel like I met so many intriguing characters and understand the history of the places we visited so much better for having read this book.
December 28, 2025
An excellent travel narrative of ancient and modern Egypt. I wish I'd read it prior to a trip to Egypt a month ago, but I had the good fortune of seeing it in the library of my dahabiya (tourist boat) while cruising the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. I read a chapter or two on the boat, then had to leave it behind. But I got it from my county library system and was glad to finish it.
Anyone thinking of visiting Egypt should read this. You'll be much better prepared to appreciate the country, the people, and above all the great river.
Anyone thinking of visiting Egypt should read this. You'll be much better prepared to appreciate the country, the people, and above all the great river.
December 28, 2018
This book travels both geographically and chronologically down the Nile, a somewhat slow but never tiresome drift through major historical events and locations. It kept my interest while adding much to my knowledge. Not the kind of book I would sit down and devour in one sitting but also not the kind I would set aside and forget to finish. A lot of "meat" with enough gossipy info to keep the book moving.
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