The great pyramids of Giza have intrigued humanity for thousands of years. Questions about the construction and purpose of these majestic monuments have existed since the middle period of ancient Egyptian civilization. Recent cutting-edge research, unimaginable to previous generations, has uncovered information about how and why they were built. In Mountains of the Pharaohs, Zahi Hawass tells for the fist time the complete story of the pyramids, weaving the latest archaeological data and an enthralling family history into spellbinding narrative. Nearly five thousand years ago, the fourth dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom reigned over a highly advanced civilization. Believed to be gods, the royal family lived amid colossal palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. Hawass brings these extraordinary historical figures to life, telling a saga that includes the triumphant ascension to the throne of one of only four queens to ever rule Egypt. The magnificent pyramids attest to not only the dynasty’s supreme power but also the engineering expertise and architectural sophistication that flourished under their rule. Hawass argues that the pyramids were built not by slaves, as is commonly believed, but by skilled craftsmen who took great pride in their work. Mountains of the Pharaohs is an unprecedented account of one of civilization’s greatest achievements. “This narrative history of the ancient Egyptian 4th Dynasty, written by one of the top scholars in the field, builds an engaging and accessible picture of the kings who built the greatest pyramids. All of the most recent discoveries at Giza, many made by the author himself over the past two decades, are included here. The book balances hard fact with clearly labeled theory, and will give the reader a unique view of the current state of knowledge about this fascinating period of time.”—Mark Lehner