"For all the significance that Egypt's history possesses, it's role in civilization has been inconsistent. 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. However, 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 - and in the dynamic situations, people, and events behind the history - will benefit from Perry's accessible and engaging investigation." "With an emphasis on the past half-century, 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."--BOOK JACKET.