Ancient Egypt was one of the longest-lasting civilizations the world has ever known. While most readers will be familiar with at least parts of ancient Egyptian history, contemporary Egypt and its connections to the ancient civilization are not always well understood. ""A Brief History of Egypt"" explores Egypt's broad political, economic, social, and cultural developments, from the mighty civilization of the past to the diverse cultural and political landscape of today, covering almost 6,000 years of history in a clear and concise manner. This book is a reliable introduction to the rich and fascinating history of Egypt and provides a solid background to this country. Today Egypt plays a vital role in the politics of the Middle East, and learning about its history, economic pressures, cultural identity, and social issues is essential to understanding the contemporary Middle East. 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 in Egypt; Anwar al-Sadat; and Contemporary Egypt.