Ancient Egypt was one of the longest-lasting civilizations the world has known. Today, Egypt plays a vital role in the politics of the Middle East, and learning about its history, economic pressures, diverse cultures, and social issues is essential to understanding the contemporary Middle East. In A Brief History of Egypt, Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., a leading expert on the Middle East, explores Egypt's broad political, economic, social, and cultural developments, covering roughly 6,000 years of history. While most readers will be familiar with at least parts of ancient Egyptian history, contemporary Egypt and its connections to the past are not always well understood. This new volume provides a solid background to this rich and diverse country in an accessible format for students and general readers alike.Coverage includes:

• The Land and its People
• Ancient Egypt
• Persian, Greek, Roman, and Arab Rule
• Mamluk and Ottoman Rule
• Early Westernizing Reform
• The British Occupation and Nationalist Resistance
• Ambiguous Independence
• Military Rule and Arab Nationalism
• Arab Socialism
• Anwar al-Sadat
• Contemporary Egypt.