For all the significance that Egypt's history possesses, the role that Egypt has played in civilization has been a very inconsistent one. In ancient times it occupied a sustained and elevated place as a world leader, while after the Arab-Islamic conquest of the 7th century it has been almost continually dominated by various foreign rulers. And yet, despite its variable political status, Egypt has never ceased to play a central role in the development of the Arab and Islamic world. Anyone interested in the history of Egypt over the past half century, and in the dynamic situations, the people, and events behind it, will benefit from Perry's accessible and engaging investigation.

Egypt's national development through successive periods is traced throughout this work, with four full chapters dedicated to the liberal period, Nasir, Sadat, and Mubarak. Perry also discusses Egypt's more general role in the development of the larger Arab-Islamic community. Biographical sketches, a timeline, a glossary and a biographical essay further augment this work, which is ideal for students as well as for the general reader interested in Egypt's history.