Second Edition. — London/NY: Routledge, 2003. — 312 p. — ISBN 0-415-26874-5; ISBN 0-203-43882-5,
Michael Rice’s original work evokes the most ancient period of Egypt’s history, from the origins of the Egyptian state to the end of the Old Kingdom. Combining detailed attention to archaeological evidence with a dynamic and readable narrative, the text covers a vast range of topics. These include
the origins of the first Egyptians the roots of the kingship the development of the nation-state early cities such as Hierakonpolis, Naqada and Abydos
the splendours of the Pyramid Age the nature and effects of Egypt’s contact with Western Asia the earliest development of the historic Egyptian personality.
The final chapter draws on Jungian theory, exploring the psychological forces that contributed to Egypt’s special character, and which account for
her continuing allure up to the present day. Wholly revised and updated in the light of the many discoveries made since its first publications, Egypt’s Making is a scholarly yet imaginative approach to this compelling ancient civilization.
Michael Rice has published extensively on Egypt and the Near East, including Egypt’s Legacy (Routledge pbk 2003), Who’s Who in Ancient Egypt
(Routledge 1999), The Power of the Bull (Routledge 1997) and The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf (Routledge 1994). He has established museums
throughout the Arabian peninsula states. He was appointed a CMG in 2002 and awarded the Order of Bahrain (1st class) in 2003.