Joann Fletcher

This unique and intimate portrait of Egypt's most glorious pharaoh exposes his public and private faces--from the day-to-day running of an empire to his bedroom habits and cats. The history of his life and influence are brought to life by color photos, maps, and artifacts. 200 color illustrations.

Fletcher draws on a wealth of overlooked detail and the latest research to reveal Cleopatra as she truly was, from her first meeting with Julius Caesar to her legendary death by snakebite. Bringing the ancient world to life, Cleopatra the Great is full of tantalizing details about the Pharaoh's infamous banquets, her massive library, her goddess outfits, beauty regimes and hairstyles.

One of the most fascinating regions of Africa, the land that saw the rise and fall of the longest and most enigmatic of the Mediterranean civilizations, Egypt is full of landscapes of breathtaking beauty and artistic masterpieces, from the pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings, from the Temple of Philae to Abu Simbel. Thrilling images combined with original text describe the myriad facets of a colorful and surprising land which the Ancients appropriately called "The Red and the Black," evoking the sharp contrast between the red of the scorching desert wastes and the black silt left by the flooding Nile. Within the pages of this book is an enthralling journey through a country with enduring appeal, savoring the complexity, mystery, and formidable wealth of the land of the pharaohs.

"The story of the world's greatest civilization spans 4,000 years of history that has shaped the world. It is full of spectacular cities and epic stories-- an evolving society rich in inventors, heroes, heroines, villains, artisans, and pioneers. Professor Joann Fletcher pulls together the complete story of [ancient] Egypt-- charting the rise and fall of the ancient Egyptians while putting their whole world into ... context"--