During the five centuries of Egyptian history known as Old Kingdom, the ancient Egyptians first realized their aspirations and developed the most advanced civilization of their time. The Old Kingdom was an era of prosperity, stability, and confidence.

For many people, the pyramids and tombs, stelae and statues of the Old Kingdom epitomize Egyptian civilization, and most books on Egypt are based on description of these monuments. Jaromir Malek and Werner Forman’s approach is fundamentally different, however. In this book they present a complete picture of ancient Egyptian society, placing the Egyptians of the Old Kingdom in the context of climate and geography, art and industry, politics and economy —examining all the factors that shaped daily life. Malek shows, in fascinating detail, that every aspect of Egyptian life was bound up with religion and that the Egyptians lived, both literally and metaphorically, “in the shadow of the pyramids.”

Werner Forman’s 120 stunning color photographs of the monuments, works of art, and landscapes of the Old Kingdom bring to life the world of ancient Egypt. Incorporating the latest scholarship, an original approach to the subject, and Forman’s exceptional illustrations, In the Shadow of the Pyramids is a major addition to the literature on ancient Egypt.