Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it. Beautiful and educational.

Review for Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History by Nigel Fletcher-Jones

As someone who has visited Egypt and marveled at its artifacts firsthand, I found Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History to be a captivating journey through this extraordinary civilization. Fletcher-Jones presents a stunning array of photographs that beautifully capture the essence of over 3,000 years of history.

The book offers a well-structured exploration of Egypt's past, starting from pre-history to the Greco-Roman period, with each chapter providing insightful context. The images, especially of the Great Pyramid and the New Kingdom, are breathtaking and informative, highlighting details that truly convey the majesty of these ancient sites.

While I wished for more focus on the early 18th Dynasty, the breadth of the book allows for a rich exploration of less familiar periods. Each photograph is paired with concise, informative captions, making it a valuable resource for both casual readers and serious historians.

This book is an essential addition to any history lover’s collection, offering both visual delight and educational depth. Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd for the opportunity to review this fantastic work.

I was very impressed with this book after reading through it and seeing the amazing photographs captured by the author as a way to demonstrate Ancient Egyptian history throughout various time periods, including the prehistory and early dynastic periods. The photos featured in this book are so captivating and I was stunned by the images the author was able to capture. There are so many photos and interesting back stories to many of them in this book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. My favorite photo would have to be the one of Thutmose III, who was a pharaoh known as a strong military leader and one who expanded ancient Egyptian society in many different ways. I think a lot of people will really enjoy seeing the photographs featured in this book, not just those who are interested in/fascinated with ancient Egyptian history.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I had completely the wrong idea about what this book would be. I anticipated a book of art and instead, it was landscapes and architectural; sites. I see it in the description now but didn’t interpret this line like that “Ancient Egypt is a vivid pictorial introduction to 4,000 years of Ancient Egyptian civilization”. Covering such a huge amount of history in short book means the author has covered everything very lightly and as an Egyptomaniac, there was little for me to learn. Not the book for me, but more my fault than the author’s.

Book Review: Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History by Nigel Fletcher-Jones

Rating: 4 Stars

As someone who has always had a fascination with ancient civilizations, especially Ancient Egypt, I was excited to dive into Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History by Nigel Fletcher-Jones. This book is a visual treat, offering an engaging and detailed account of a civilization that has captivated imaginations for centuries.

The journey begins along the banks of the Nile, tracing the evolution of Egyptian culture from its early beginnings in the fourth millennium BC to the dramatic end of the Ptolemaic dynasty with Cleopatra's tragic demise in 30 BC. Fletcher-Jones takes us through significant milestones in ancient Egyptian history, highlighting key artifacts like the Narmer Palette, which beautifully illustrates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. He also delves into the reign of Amenhotep, a time when art and international relations flourished, all the way to the monumental temples of Abu Simbel built by Ramesses II, which proudly mark Egypt's southern boundary and celebrate its military triumphs.

What I particularly appreciate about this book is its chronological arrangement, which creates a coherent narrative flow that's easy to follow. Each chapter is filled with more than 180 stunning photographs that breathe life into the text, making it feel like I was walking through ancient Egypt myself. The vibrant imagery captures not only the architectural marvels like the pyramids and temples but also the intricate details of artifacts that tell stories of a people deeply connected to their land and beliefs.

Reading Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History felt like embarking on a delightful photographic journey through thousands of years of history. The book serves as a perfect introduction for anyone intrigued by ancient Egypt and its wonders. It's beautifully crafted and presents a wealth of information in a digestible format.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who shares a love for ancient history or simply appreciates beautiful photography. It's a truly inspiring exploration of a remarkable civilization that has shaped much of our understanding of human history. I’d give it four out of five stars, as it certainly met my expectations and left me yearning for more insight into this fascinating culture!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A well written history of ancient Egypt and amazing pictures.
A clear, well researched and interesting book.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I did not get through this one, unfortunately. It didn't have the information I was looking for. It was too surface. It wasn't that interesting of an approach.

Thank you Netgalley and Amber Books for access to this arc.


The sheer amount of information, even pared down (though very easy to follow) is staggering. Fletcher-Jones succinctly covers over 4000 years of Egyptian history including all the little bits that don't routinely make the history books. The information is organized well and allows an appreciation of not only Egyptian historical events but the root causes of what drove all the changes. He (obvs from the title) includes some absolutely gorgeous color photos to illustrate the places, temples, and people he talks about. This is definitely a book that I think warrants splashing out and getting the hardcover edition (though reading it on a tablet made it easier to zip back and forth, matching the descriptions to the photos). He includes picture credits and a list of museum locations for some of the items. B+

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History is a fascinating and beautifully detailed account of ancient Egypt. I've always had a love for ancient Egypt since first learning about it in primary school, and so I jumped at the chance to read this. My inner child was most satisfied as well as my current adult self, too. This is a perfect book for anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt and Egyptians and would be suitable to use within a school library, too.
The book is divided into chapters covering time periods starting at 6000-2666 BCE - covering prehistory, to early dynastic, and ending in the Greco-Roman period 332 - 395 CE, and includes several other of the time periods tgat fall in between giving a vast time period of history to explore. The photographs are just beautiful and captivating, and I'd love to see the pieces shown in real life. Because the book covers so much history it does move swiftly on from one section to the next but the beauty of a book like this is you can open it and read at any point and flip in and out of it at leisure.

Everyone needs to go to Egypt at least once in their life but not everyone can. This book brings Egypt to each of us, and brings to life its history, monuments and ancient Egyptian life. This is such a beautiful book with detailed history and explanations, accompanied by excellent photographs.

I am lucky enough to have seen some of these monuments in person, and to experience the history of Egypt by seeing it for myself, touching and listening, but once is not enough. When I returned from my travels I realised how much more there is to learn about ancient Egypt and this book does that for me because it clearly teaches the history.

The best part of this book is of course the photos but the explanations and the history should not be ignored because they enrich this book. I now need to buy a physical copy of this book and read it and then return to Egypt at some point in the future to gaze upon the wonders that are so beautifully illustrated.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This wonderful compilation of beautiful photographs provides an attractive overview of the development of Egyptian civilisation through the millennia. It will thrill anyone with an interest in this time period. Given the expansive length of time the book covers - approaching 4000 years - it still must just graze the surface of what was once one of the longest surviving civilisations of our planet. I did find the long enumeration of pharaoh's names quite difficult to keep track of. A strategically included timetable for each period every now and then would have been helpful.

I felt this book would be especially useful when read in conjunction with a more descriptive book on the Egyptian civilisation. It would definitely liven up what can be a rather dry subject when one is still unfamiliar with this period in time.

"Ancient Egypt" belongs on the coffee table of anyone with an interest in that time period. It's filled with stunning photos throughout and organised in chronological order so you can travel through the start of ancient Egypt to it's end. There is a wealth of information in the book but at points it can be a bit dry. For me, it's a book you will pick up and put down at leisure, rather than read from start to finish in one go.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The exquisite images of this book are the star of the show. Yes, there is some basic history about the dynasties and other aspects of Ancient Egypt that give context, but the focus are the masterpieces, large and small, of one of the most important ancient civilizations. For both those who know nothing about Ancient Egypt and those who know a lot about it, this is a feast for the eyes.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I received this copy from Netgalley for my honest review. A very good outline of Egyptian history and the photography is good. Takes you from the beginning to the end and talks about some of the major pharaohs who ruled Egypt.

The photographs are beautiful and well-selected. It's rather more text-heavy than I expected, and unfortunately that text is pretty typical "grand history", with an endless litany of names, dates, dynasties, and construction projects. While Fletcher-Jones sometimes puts in a wry nod to common misconceptions or a sly remark about Egyptian history, for the most part this is fairly dry. I would have preferred it to focus on the art and the common people, even within a necessary framework of the history of rulers.

Get lost in the history of Ancient Egypt in this fantastic book!

If you enjoy history, then you are going to love this read. Nigel Fletcher-Jones has put together a visually aesthetic read, with information that you are going to love. Egyptian history is always a favorite. With the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen, the history of this ancient civilization has been drawing readers and artists alike.

A photograph can encompass a thousand words, and in this case, you are going to walk through an entire civilization visually. I absolutely loved this one!

This book would have made my little middle school heart so happy. So many artifacts and the photos were stunning. I loved the information included and the fact that I felt like I was taking a tour through a museum.

4 stars

(4.5 Rounded Up)

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History by Nigel Fletcher-Jones from Net Galley and Amber Books to read and give an honest review.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words“ and in this case Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History speaks volumes.

I have been intrigued by Ancient Egypt since visiting the King Tutankhamun exhibit at the age of nine, and over forty years later, I started taking courses in Archaeology, with a particular focus in Egyptology. I was thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to read and review Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History by Nigel Fletcher-Jones.

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words“ and in this case Ancient Egypt: A Photographic History speaks volumes. This stunning collection of photographs of Ancient Egyptian relics and places, covering Pre-history and the early dynastic period thru to the Greco-Roman Period, show Ancient Egypt in all its beauty. Accompanying each photograph are summaries, albeit brief, each offer a great introduction and insight into each photograph and its significance in history.

This would be a perfect introduction for anyone who is fascinated by Ancient Egypt and its amazing wonders. A truly inspiring photographic journey through Egyptian history that I would highly recommend.

Ancient Egypt, a photographic history, is exactly that. I loved all the pictures! Each chapter is broken into time periods in Egypt’s history, from the earliest records to more modern day. Each picture has a description and historical blurb to accompany it. I was wondering if it would be like a textbook, but it is so much richer and more visual than that. I was immersed in the history and culture with beautiful imagery and recommend others who love Egyptian history to give it a look.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Brief overview of ancient Egyptian civilization, with the emphasis of course on the visual aspect, through lots of photos. Not only the large monuments, but also small sculptures, for example, are shown. The texts are certainly up-to-date, but the emphasis is mainly on the successive pharaohs and dynasties. This is sufficient as a first introduction.