The vegetation in Wadi El Gemal National Park in Egypt’s Eastern Desert is more diverse than might first be expected, but even more surprising is the relationship that the desert dwellers continue to have with the plant life in their habitat, despite the increasing modernization of their world. As a ranger in the park, Tamer Mahmoud quickly realized the importance of surveying, identifying, and documenting the indigenous plants, and recording the information he compiled from interviews with the local community about how they use the plants for food, healing, animal fodder, and fuel. The result is this detailed and colorful guide, which includes photographs of each plant, the scientific name and local name in Arabic and English, and information on location, distribution, uses, and ecology. A glossary, bibliography, visitors’ information section and distribution maps make this a comprehensive reference work that will interest visitors, scientists, anyone interested in the flora of arid areas, and even anthropologists.

Ancient Egypt: Art and Archaeology covers the breadth and length of the treasures of ancient Egypt without overstretching your budget. Fully illustrated with excellent color photographs and historic prints, this book covers it all: a historical introduction and chronological listing of the pharaohs, the gods of ancient Egypt, the cult of the dead, hieroglyphic writing, travelers and explorers, the birth of modern archaeology, Alexandria, Tanis, the Giza plateau, the Egyptian Museum, Memphis, Saqqara, Dahshur, the oases of the Western Desert, Tell al-Amarna, Abydos, Dendera, Luxor, the temples of Western Thebes, the Theban necropolis, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae, Abu Simbel and the Nubian temples, Serabit al-Khadem, and even a short section on the Monastery of St. Catherine. With captivating, concise text and hundreds of full-color illustrations, Ancient Egypt is the perfect gift or memento from a visit to Egypt.