This is a somewhat unusual guidebook, both in subject matter and arrangement. It covers more historical material than most, and interspersed are highly detailed discussions of sights—all of which leaves less room for extended treatment of hotels and restaurants.
But as we looked with awe at pyramids, temples, and  tombs, questions nagged about a carving here, a hole for some purpose there, a statue out of keeping with the rest.
And no one, not even professional guides, knew many answers. The more we were impressed, the more frustrated we were to know the purpose of the temples we were seeing and the characters of the pharaohs who erected them. What was the nature of this ancient civilization that allowed it to begin so early and to accomplish so much?