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Books and more on ancient Egypt

A small selection of books and building sets for anyone who wants to go deeper after reading here. Chosen for content and reviews, not for commission.

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Books

• The Rise and Fall of Ancient EgyptToby WilkinsonThe Rise and Fall of Ancient EgyptToby WilkinsonThe whole story from the first kings to Cleopatra, told in a readable way.
• Ancient Egypt: The Definitive Visual HistoryDKAncient Egypt: The Definitive Visual HistoryDKA large illustrated volume with photographs of temples, tombs and finds.
• The Oxford History of Ancient EgyptIan Shaw (ed.)The Oxford History of Ancient EgyptIan Shaw (ed.)The standard one-volume history, written by leading Egyptologists.
• A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great PyramidJohn RomerA History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great PyramidJohn RomerHow Egypt's civilisation took shape, told from the archaeological evidence.
• The Woman Who Would Be KingKara CooneyThe Woman Who Would Be KingKara CooneyHatshepsut's rise to power, a bestselling biography.
• When Women Ruled the WorldKara CooneyWhen Women Ruled the WorldKara CooneySix queens of Egypt, from Merneith and Hatshepsut to Cleopatra.
• The Writing of the GodsEdward DolnickThe Writing of the GodsEdward DolnickThe race to decode the Rosetta Stone, the decree of Ptolemy V.
• Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient WorldIrene VallejoPapyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient WorldIrene VallejoFrom the Library of Alexandria to the first books, an international bestseller.
• The Discovery of the Tomb of TutankhamenHoward CarterThe Discovery of the Tomb of TutankhamenHoward CarterThe discoverer's own account of opening the tomb in 1922.
• King Tut: The Journey through the UnderworldSandro Vannini (Taschen)King Tut: The Journey through the UnderworldSandro Vannini (Taschen)A large photo book from inside the tomb and of the king's treasures.
• Treasures of EgyptNational GeographicTreasures of EgyptNational GeographicA legacy in photographs, from the pyramids to Cleopatra.
• Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the TombZahi HawassTutankhamun: The Treasures of the TombZahi HawassThe objects from Tutankhamun's tomb, photographed in detail.
• The Complete TutankhamunNicholas ReevesThe Complete TutankhamunNicholas ReevesThe king, the tomb and the discovery of 1922 in one volume.
• Ramesses: Egypt's Greatest PharaohJoyce TyldesleyRamesses: Egypt's Greatest PharaohJoyce TyldesleyA biography of Ramesses II, his wars, his buildings and his family.
• Cleopatra: A LifeStacy SchiffCleopatra: A LifeStacy SchiffA widely read biography of the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt.
• The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient EgyptRichard H. WilkinsonThe Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient EgyptRichard H. WilkinsonEvery major deity of ancient Egypt, with pictures and explanations.
• Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete BeginnersBill ManleyEgyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete BeginnersBill ManleyStep by step to reading your first royal names.

To build

• LEGO Great Pyramid of GizaLEGO Architecture: Great Pyramid of Giza (21058)LEGOThe Great Pyramid to build, with a cross-section that opens up.

For children

• National Geographic Kids Everything Ancient EgyptNational Geographic KidsNational Geographic Kids Everything Ancient EgyptNational Geographic KidsMummies, gods and pharaohs for children aged about 8 and up.
• See Inside Ancient EgyptUsborneSee Inside Ancient EgyptUsborneA flap book for younger children.