Oldest Book in the World

Bill Manley is an Egyptologist, university lecturer, museum curator and bestselling author. He teaches Egyptology and Coptic at the University of Glasgow, and is Honorary President of Egyptology Scotland. He was formerly Senior Curator for Ancient Egypt at National Museums Scotland, and continues to work with archaeological projects in Egypt. He has published books, catalogues and articles covering such diverse subjects as ancient texts, the history of Egyptology, the archaeology of Palestine and ancient Egyptian art. Thames & Hudson has published several of his books, including Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners and Egyptian Art.

• Foreword Introduction 1. ‘Le plus ancien livre du Monde’ 2. The Overseer of the City and Vizir, Ptahhatp 3. The Oldest Book in the WorldI. The Teaching of PtahhatpII. The Teaching of KagemniIII. The Teaching of Hordedef 4. The Teacher, Ptahhatp 5. Why Things Happen

'A superb book, in its own way as exciting as any excavation of a tomb. More exciting, perhaps, because it breathes life rather than death' - Stephen Fry