I bought this book for a class in Egyptology as required course material but it is so well written and has great pictures and information that instead of selling it after the quarter is over like I do with most books for my class I'm going to keep this one. It's well worth the buy if you are interested in Ancient Egypt. It has a great deal of insightful detailed information.

This book is a collection of dry essays written with poor cohesion. It's as if the sum editiorial guidance was "Write something about the second intermediate period." Some articles repeat discusssions (for instance, after dozens of citations of Manetho's Aeqyptiaca and the Turin Canon as well as an explanation of both, on page 186, these sources are explained as if for the first time), some articles refer to history that has never been discussed.

If you are not knowledgeable about the geopgraphy of Egypt, you will be frustrated. For instance, the city Memphis is cited 4 times before the page with a map including its location. I was constantly flipping through the maps trying to find different cities. It didn't help that this particular map (p 91) is not even included on the list of maps and plans! The 1st and 2nd cataracts are not included on a map until page 227!

Some cities are never included on maps (historical and modern: "route from 'Sako' (probably modern el-Qes)"). And when locations are on maps, the text often contradicts the map. On page 201: "Cusae lies about 40 km, south of Hermopolis (el-Ashmunein)". On the facing page, Cusae is about 5 km ne of Hermoplois.

Religion is an essential part of understanding Egyptian history. I was really disappointed that a 500 page book did not include one article on religion or the afterlife.

The final annoyance is the glossy stock. If you don't have a lamp in the right position, you will get a large unreadable glare on the page.