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The History of Ancient Egypt cover art

The History of Ancient Egypt

By: Bob Brier, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Bob Brier
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Editor reviews

A fascinating examination of the Ancient Egyptian Empire is narrated by Professor Bob Brier in The Great Courses’ The History of Ancient Egypt. Listeners of this historical audiobook learn of the vast expanse this Empire had during the record 3 centuries of its reign. The Ancient Egyptians were highly advanced in many areas of human knowledge including science, medicine, engineering, architecture and astronomy. Modern achievements and discoveries owe much to the pillars of knowledge the ancient Egyptian’s shaped in these areas. In this book Brier gives a captivating performance keeping the listener involved and absorbed throughout. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Ancient Egyptian civilization is so grand our minds sometimes have difficulty adjusting to it. It lasted 3,000 years, longer than any other on the planet. Its Great Pyramid of Cheops was the tallest building in the world until well into the 19th century and remains the only Ancient Wonder still standing. And it was the most technologically advanced of the ancient civilizations, with the medical knowledge that made Egyptian physicians the most famous in the world.

Yet even after deciphering its hieroglyphs, and marveling at its scarabs, mummies, obelisks, and sphinxes, Egyptian civilization remains one of history's most mysterious, as "other" as it is extraordinary. This chronological survey presents the complete history of ancient Egypt's three great Kingdoms: the Old Kingdom, when the pyramids were built and Egypt became a nation under the supreme rule of the pharaoh and the rules of Egyptian art were established; the Middle Kingdom, when Egypt was a nation fighting to restore its greatness; and the New Kingdom, when all the names we know today-Hatshepsut, Tutankhamen, Ramses the Great, Cleopatra, and others-first appeared. Professor Brier's 48 lectures glisten with the kind of vivid anecdotes and human glimpses that make this ancient world breathe again.

"The fun of history is in the details," he notes. "Knowing that Ramses the Great was crippled by arthritis for the last decade of his long life makes us more sympathetic to the boastful monarch who fathered more than 100 children. If we understand what it was like to be a miner sent to the turquoise mines in the Sinai mountains in the summer, we will feel a kinship with our long-dead counterparts."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The History of Ancient Egypt

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A must listen

Exactly what I was looking for to help me with the beginning of my journey into Egyptian history. Well narrated and informative. So good I will be listening to it again.

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Superb!!!!

A brilliant succinct history of ancient Egypt. Fantastic!!!!! Your simply missing out if you don't listen to this!!!

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with out doubt the best listened 20times spellbin

can't describe just how good this is thank u Dr Briar's I've been reading and listening to history books for forty years byfar the best xx🇬🇧🇬🇧

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It's true - I wish all lectures were like this!

What did you like most about The History of Ancient Egypt?

Having just finished the last of the 48 lectures, I'm a little dazed by the amount I feel I've absorbed! Despite the length, and what you might think is quite a dry subject (no pun intended - in fact one of the things that might surprise you is how afraid the Egyptians were of the desert!) - I actually want to listen again soon and try and memorise every Pharaoh! The facts are presented with just the right amount of fun, of reminding you who is who and what is what, so you're never lost, and with such genuine enthusiasm that you find yourself smiling as you hear about the different 'characters'. The subject is fleshed out beautifully by Professor Brier's asides (obelisks, medicine, mummies - his speciality, though at times when he describes his modern-day experiments, it's not for the faint of heart!) - one of my favourite parts was his description of bringing an obelisk to New York on a budget - and I certainly will never forget his explanation as to how they were carved!
I'm not ashamed to say that I love this narrator, and only wish that other readers could bring to their undoubted knowledge this feeling of companionship!

What other book might you compare The History of Ancient Egypt to, and why?

My first purchase from the Great Courses series was their shorter series, The Historical Jesus - and whilst the subject was interesting, and again, it revealed some historical truths that were at points startling, it didn't have the magic this one did - again, I can only attribute this to narration.

Have you listened to any of Professor Bob Brier’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not, but certainly would in future! I may in fact go out of my way to find him!

Any additional comments?

This series makes history manageable - over 3000 years of history (in fact, he does cheekily go back to, if I remember rightly, about 700,000 BC for a while!) in just over 24 hours leaves you not only wiser, but with a profound respect for anyone who would take on the challenge of Egypt's history - let alone those early archaeologists, crawling into collapsed tunnels to discover complexes sometimes more than 130m long, dug into the bedrock, or containing perhaps 150 rooms. And the architecture above ground I couldn't begin to describe here. Maybe if I hint that one temple had columns on the top of which 100 men could stand, you'll want to learn more about this fantastic civilisation.
It's a real ten out of ten listen. Sometimes I'd find out something so amazing, I'd have to call someone just to tell them about it.
Thanks again, professor!

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brilliant.

I never leave recommendations but I have to recommend this. Told in the spellbinding style of Arabian Nights, you'll absolutely stick around till the end and enjoy every bit of it. One of the best lecture series I've listened to. Wholeheartedly recommend.

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loved it

I don't consider myself an expert in Egyptology but I know a bit picked up here and there. really enjoyed this course of lectures, they are split into 30 min chunks so really easy to listen to. happy to recommend to anyone with an interest in the subject

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Fascinating!!

I throughly enjoyed this lecture, highly informative, easy to listen to and understand. I will certainly be listening to this again!

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Very good

Honestly one of the best historical audio books I have listened too, only down side would be a lack of BC date as the progression goes along but with a little history app or even a list with years it's fine. great

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Informative.

An excellent introduction to a fascinating period of history told in an fashion that was easy to understand.

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Uniquely Entertaining.

Where does The History of Ancient Egypt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best.

What other book might you compare The History of Ancient Egypt to, and why?

There are other excellent 24 hour lecture sets on Ancient History in The Great Courses (Greg Aldrete, Robert Garland) but Bob Brier really makes this course unique and difficult to compare. For the full 24 hours he maintains a sense of intimacy and informality. It is a very special listen.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Obelisks. Who knew they were so interesting?

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Gold! Murders! Obelisks! Come and see the most expensive film ever made.

Any additional comments?

I want to go to Egypt and dig it up.

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