Scholarly, passionate and exquisitely written ... a stunning, clear-sighted history of ancient Egypt -- James McConnachie Sunday Times It is not easy to enliven prehistory while simultaneously respecting limited archaeological evidence and avoiding novelistic pitfalls. But Romer manages it ... After a long wait, we have an up-to-date, stimulating account of the birth of what may turn out to be the world's oldest civilization -- Andrew Robinson Nature His physical descriptions are superb ... a book to be read and thought about -- John Ray Financial Times Romer carries the reader along effortlessly on a lengthy, complex yet immensely satisfying journey -- Joyce Tyldesley BBC History

JOHN ROMER has worked in Egypt since 1966 on archaeological digs in many key sites, including the Valley of the King and Karnak. He led the Brooklyn Museum expedition to excavate the tomb of Ramasses XI. He wrote and presented a number of television series, including "The Seven Wonders of the World, Romer's Egypt, Ancient Lives, "and "Testament." He lives in Tuscany, Italy.