Published to coincide with a five-part series on the Discovery Channel, this beautifully illustrated book offers a fine overview of ancient Egyptian history and of current and recent archaeological discoveries that have affected our view of the ancient past. The authors examine five principal issues, each of them touched with controversy: the origins of Egyptian civilization, the impetus to build the pyramids, the use of gold in Egyptian empire-building, the role of religion in everyday Egyptian life, and the nature of ritual mummification. In each of these areas the authors draw on the most current literature. Written for general readers, this makes a fine addition any Egyptology buff"s library. --Gregory McNamee