The History of Ancient Egypt

Wisconsin Bookwatch, June, 2005

The History Of Ancient Egypt

Bob Brier

The Teaching Company

4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232

1565855744 $519.95 www.teach12.com

Bob Brier is an experienced Egyptologist and Professor Philosophy at Long Island University. Winner of the "Newton Award for Teaching Excellence", Professor Brier is active in archaeological excavation and the host of programs on Ancient Egypt for National Geographic, The Learning Channel, and The History Channel. Professor Brier brings his years of experience and expertise to the "Great Courses" series in Ancient and Medieval History from The Teaching Company in a series of DVD presentations with The History Of Ancient Egypt, a series of 48 lectures, each of which is 30 minutes in length divided into four DVD volumes of 2 DVDs each. Each volume is also accompanied by a printed text providing a complete transcript of the lectures comprised in it's accompanying DVD volume. Beginning with an informed and informative Introduction, Professor Brier presents the viewer with a complete overview of Egyptology from the prehistoric beginnings of the two kingdoms, through the pharonic ages, to the dominance of Alexander the Great and the first Ptolemies, through Cleopatra--the last pharaoh of Egypt. Along the way, viewers will learn of Egyptian burial practices, the rise and fall of dynasties, the role of the Nile river in shaping Egyptian culture and beliefs, with the final lecture "The Grand Finale" providing a completion of what we currently know and understand about one of the oldest and most influential of the empires of antiquity. Professor Brier is a superb lecturer and the technical recording processes are flawless. The History Of Ancient Egypt is an impressive and complete course of study and a highly recommended addition to high-school, college, university, and community library collections.