What do you think?
Rate this book
The Civilization of Ancient Egypt.
Paul Johnson explores the growth and decline of the ancient Egyptian culture, looking in detail at the state, religion, culture and geographical setting. Combining visual images and interpretation, Johnson discusses the causes behind the collapse of this great civilization.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
21 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Paul Johnson
134 books837 followersPaul Johnson works as a historian, journalist and author. He was educated at Stonyhurst School in Clitheroe, Lancashire and Magdalen College, Oxford, and first came to prominence in the 1950s as a journalist writing for, and later editing, the New Statesman magazine. He has also written for leading newspapers and magazines in Britain, the US and Europe.
Paul Johnson has published over 40 books including A History of Christianity (1979), A History of the English People (1987), Intellectuals (1988), The Birth of the Modern: World Society, 1815—1830 (1991), Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000 (1999), A History of the American People (2000), A History of the Jews (2001) and Art: A New History (2003) as well as biographies of Elizabeth I (1974), Napoleon (2002), George Washington (2005) and Pope John Paul II (1982).
Paul Johnson has published over 40 books including A History of Christianity (1979), A History of the English People (1987), Intellectuals (1988), The Birth of the Modern: World Society, 1815—1830 (1991), Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000 (1999), A History of the American People (2000), A History of the Jews (2001) and Art: A New History (2003) as well as biographies of Elizabeth I (1974), Napoleon (2002), George Washington (2005) and Pope John Paul II (1982).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 20, 2018
After watching The Prince of Egypt a few weeks ago, I went on a deep Wikipedia dive about Ancient Egypt. I wanted to know more about them as a people — how they came to power, and why they fell from grace.
This book seemed like a great entry point. I never understood Egypt in a “textbook” way. Johnson does a great job of giving the reader an overview of the 3,000 year history of Ancient Egypt from the fourth through first millennia BCE.
The storytelling of the unification through Old Kingdom, First Intermediary, Middle Kingdom, Second Intermediary, and New Kingdom is strong. It reads almost like a novel — I saw almost because the characterization of many of the key figures is understandably very light. I found the content was weaker as the New Kingdom fell to external forces and the revolving door of foreign kings reigning over Egypt left me confused.
I didn’t understand how the Greeks claimed Egypt. Of course, I understand the Greeks were a military might, but Johnson skips over any evidence of a war or an occupation.
He also very quickly skims past the Biblical and Judaic references to Egypt, most notably Exodus and the story of Moses. Very little (to none) is known about any historical figure of Moses, but I would have enjoyed more speculation or investigation into the topic.
All in all, the book is an informative, easy to read though dry intro to the history of Egypt. Recommended to any history buffs!
This book seemed like a great entry point. I never understood Egypt in a “textbook” way. Johnson does a great job of giving the reader an overview of the 3,000 year history of Ancient Egypt from the fourth through first millennia BCE.
The storytelling of the unification through Old Kingdom, First Intermediary, Middle Kingdom, Second Intermediary, and New Kingdom is strong. It reads almost like a novel — I saw almost because the characterization of many of the key figures is understandably very light. I found the content was weaker as the New Kingdom fell to external forces and the revolving door of foreign kings reigning over Egypt left me confused.
I didn’t understand how the Greeks claimed Egypt. Of course, I understand the Greeks were a military might, but Johnson skips over any evidence of a war or an occupation.
He also very quickly skims past the Biblical and Judaic references to Egypt, most notably Exodus and the story of Moses. Very little (to none) is known about any historical figure of Moses, but I would have enjoyed more speculation or investigation into the topic.
All in all, the book is an informative, easy to read though dry intro to the history of Egypt. Recommended to any history buffs!
August 3, 2024
General introduction to Egypt's rise, height, and fall. Has chapters dedicated to the religion, art, politics, etc. I don't know why you'd read this unless you have a general interest in Paul Johnson - there are so many other books on Egypt out there. For myself, I don't really care if it's outdated or if experts would disagree with details. This is essentially cozy history - a guided trip through one of the all-time world cultures, conducted by one of my most familiar and enjoyable historians.
July 1, 2019
Read it a very long ago and I felt it already outdated back then. Good to see some pictures of Egypt.
September 9, 2013
Nyilván elfogult vagyok kissé a könyvvel, mivel a magyar megjelenés előtt a kiadó engem kért fel a szakmai lektorálásra. Ilyenkor az ember igyekszik kiszűrni minden zavaró hibát, hogy az olvasó kezébe lehetőleg nemcsak egy olvasmányos, de lehetőség szerint pontos és tényszerű mű kerüljön. Ha ez ebben az esetben sikerült, az igen nagy mértékben Paul Johnson érdeme, aki ismeretterjesztő zsurnalisztaként egy kifejezetten jó szerkesztettségű könyvet rakott le az asztalra. Szokatlanul kevés helyen volt szükség némi kiigazításra, nem nyűglődésként éltem meg a vele való foglalatoskodást. Legyen ennyi elég.
April 1, 2010
A detailed and informative history of the Ancient Egyptian civilisation that's accessible and easy to read although the amount of detail does limit it's useful-ness for reference once it has been read the first time.
February 28, 2009
A textbook history of ancient Egypt, the Pharoahs, dynasties, art, ec. Very dry, but educational.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews