This thoughtful, poignant, personal memoir begins in the Cairo of the 1930s, with the author's schooldays at the Lycée Français, and moves on to paint a rich social and ethnic picture against a backdrop of momentous events: the accession of King Farouk, the Second World War, the Revolution of 1952, the Suez Crisis of 1956. In the unfolding of these historic times, the sense of place too is strong, with vivid descriptions of places long gone, such as the British barracks, which once stood where the Nile Hilton now stands, and others that have changed substantially, like Midan Soliman Pasha, now Midan Talaat Harb. The author's life then follows an unexpected course of cultural encounter, as he plunges into a high-powered business career in America, Japan, and Europe that takes him high into executive circles--where the lessons he learns of cross-cultural perceptions are both useful and entertaining. Finally, after more than three decades of absence, the author returns to a bewilderingly changed Egypt. He has to ask for help to cross a busy street, a nostalgic visit to his old school brings not pleasure but sadness, and, oppressed by the size and pace of Cairo, he seeks the refuge of the idyllic tree-shaded Pyramids Road that he remembers so well from his childhood--only to find that that, too, has changed beyond recognition. Midhat Gazalé recollects people, events, and places with uncommon clarity and a gentle humor. His memoirs will fascinate anyone who has ever asked the questions: What was Egypt like then? and How has it changed?

The Rough Guide to Cairo & the Pyramids is the ultimate travel guide to this ancient city, with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best Egyptian attractions. Discover Cairo's highlights with stunning photography and information on everything from the famous Cities of the Dead to nightlife that only the locals know. Getting the best deal, avoiding hassle and having fun is what this guidebook keeps in mind - so you can experience Cairo at its best. An ancient city and the greatest metropolis in the Middle East, Cairo's bazaars, museums, mosques, tombs and pyramids are covered in detail. Well-informed listings - from authors who have been visiting the city for twenty years - reflect an inside knowledge of the city's hotels, restaurants and entertainment, for every budget. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Cairo & the Pyramids.

2008 — Leeds Honor Book in Urban Anthropology – Society for Urban, National, and Transnational/Global Anthropology Living in Egypt at the turn of the millennium, cultural anthropologist L. L. Wynn was struck by the juxtapositions of Western, Gulf Arab, and Egyptian viewpoints she encountered. For some, Egypt is the land of mummies and pharaohs. For others, it is a vortex of decadence, where nightlife promises a chance to salivate over belly dancers and maybe even glimpse a movie star. Offering a new approach to ethnography, Pyramids and Nightclubs examines cross-cultural encounters to bring to light the counterintuitive ways in which Egypt is defined. Guiding readers on an armchair journey that introduces us to Russian and Australian belly dancers on Nile cruise ships, Egyptian rumors about an Arab prince and his royal entourage, Saudi girls looking for a less restrictive dating scene, and other visitors to this "antique" land, Wynn uses the lens of travel and tourism to depict a fascinating and often surprising version of Egypt, while exploring the concept of stereotype itself. Tracing the history of Western and Arab fascination with Egypt through spurious hunts for lost civilizations and the new economic disparities brought about by the oil industry, Pyramids and Nightclubs ultimately describes the ways in which moments of cultural contact, driven by tourism and labor migration, become eye-opening opportunities for defining self and other.

The extraordinary mysteries of the pyramids - revealed From the development of monumental architecture around 3,000 BC to the fabulous edifices that rose up from the desert plains of Giza, these are amongst the most remarkable structures in world history. Their story has given rise to a set of incredible legends: spaceships, ley lines, mysterious goings on... Is it fact or fiction? Joyce Tyldesley, writer, lecturer and broadcaster on Ancient Egypt, cuts away modern myth and prejudice to reveal the truth behind these astonishing structures. The Old Kingdom pharaohs believed that death was the beginning of eternal life. To help them on their way they built pyramids; huge ramps or stairways charged with the most potent magic, leading directly to the sky. Pyramids chronicles how and why Egypt's pharaohs built on so grand a scale, and shows how the pyramids helped to build Egypt itself. ‘A fascinating survey... For anyone who wants to know about pyramids, this is required reading’ Spectator ‘Tyldesley sets out to fill the gap between Egyptologists’ reserve, the excesses of tour guides and misinformed traditions... [she] should be required reading.’ Sunday Times

This book offers an explanation of how the Great Pyramid was designed and built.

This book examines the architectural achievements of the Egyptian pyramid builders and how they may have accomplished those deeds. Many of their building techniques we today cannot explain. The baffling puzzle of how the stones were raised is one of these. The big puzzle aside, many minor mysteries are for the first time explained. Egyptologists agree that those performing the heavy labor were conscripted citizens, not slaves. The builders were inventive, motivated, daring, and superbly organized. They made mistakes, the price of innovation. Still, they persevered, and created some of the most impressive monuments in history. This book should help the reader understand the problems the builders faced, and instill admiration of their work.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.