Cairo Illustrated

by Michael Haag

Overview

A visual journey through the streets and the history of the Mother of the World

Cairo is an exploding modern metropolis of eighteen million people that nevertheless preserves within its heart the finest medieval city in the world, its alleys, mosques, and caravanserais the original setting for the Arabian Nights, whose atmosphere is palpable still for the visitor wandering through its bazaars, while at sunset the Pyramids glow gold against the Western Desert as they have done for one million seven hundred thousand evenings past. The monuments of pharaohs and sultans lie within the city’s reach, making Cairo and its environs an unequaled storehouse of human achievement.

In this guide to the largest city in Africa and the political and cultural fulcrum of the Arab world, Michael Haag explores Cairo’s past and present in word and picture, from Saqqara to the Citadel of Saladin, from the ancient synagogue and churches of Old Cairo to the skyscrapers along the Nile, from Khan al-Khalili, the vast bazaar as intricate as inlay work, to the Belle Epoque façades of the downtown streets, and introduces you to the treasures of three great civilizations at the Islamic, Coptic, and Egyptian Antiquities museums. 

Beautifully illustrated with 150 color photographs, this is a fascinating armchair tour of Cairo in all its variety.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789774249358
Publisher:	American University in Cairo Press, The
Publication date:	01/01/2006
Edition description:	Illustrate
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

MICHAEL HAAG is a writer and photographer based in London. He has photographed and written Alexandria Illustrated(AUC Press 2004) and Cairo Illustrated, and he is the author of Alexandria: City of Memory.

Editorial Reviews

PRAISE FOR MICHAEL HAAG:

“Haag vividly evokes the time and the place with sumptuous descriptions”—Daily Express on The Durrells of Corfu

“Well-written, copiously illustrated, and solidly researched book. Highly recommended."—Library Journal on The Templars

“Haag's account sparkles”—Publishers Weekly on The Tragedy of the Templars

“A balance of infectious enthusiasm and solid practicality"—Michael Palin on Cairo, Luxor & Aswan

“Thought-provoking”—Kirkus Reviews on The Quest for Mary Magdalene

“[A] fine and deft interweaving of the personal and the political.”—Financial Times on Alexandria: City of Memory

From the Publisher