Since this is the first of many book reviews I'm going to do on history and Middle East related topics, I'm starting with a good book for people who are new to this amazing city: Cairo: The City Victorious.
Max Rodenbeck is the Middle East correspondent for The Economist and has lived in Cairo since age two. His personal knowledge and passion for his adopted city comes through in this sweeping history of Cairo. Just because Rodenbeck is well-versed on Middle East topics, doesn't mean the reader has to be in order to enjoy this book. It is deep enough to provide a meaningful introduction to the city, but not so much so as to lose first-time readers. This balance between insightful history and accessibility makes this a great starting point for anyone wanting to explore Cairo's history but who are intimidated by its immense size. Rodenbeck jumps between Pharaohnic, Coptic, Islamic and modern Cairene history in an effortless way, allowing the reader to see the layers of the city's history and their interconnectedness. Because the book gives a panoramic view of Cairo's history, any reader interested in specific topics will have to read more in other texts. But for anyone new to the city of a thousand minarets or just generally interested in the Middle East and one of its greatest cities, Cairo: The City Victorious is a must read.
Cairo: The City Victorious by Max Rodenbeck, Vintage 2002. $15.95
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