Egypt (Economically Developing Countries)

Discusses Egypt's geography, people, and culture, with special emphasis on the challenges presented by economic development.

Gr 5-7-A brief look at the struggles of this ancient country in the modern world. Tenquist discusses Egypt's constant need for more food and living space, and the increased debts it accrued in building the Aswan Dam and fighting wars with Israel. He gives a good explanation of how colonialism weakened this country's ability to help itself. The author addresses issues faced by Egyptians as well as other people around the world and problems unique to this nation. Average-quality, full-color photos appear on every page. Egypt in Pictures (Lerner, 1988) supplies some similar information in a more formulaic layout (food, costume, religion, etc.), but isn't as current as this title. Children of the World: Egypt (Gareth Stevens, 1990) focuses more on an individual child and his family, though similar contemporary concerns are mentioned. An adequate volume to introduce young people to a country that is too often romanticized for its exotic past, at the expense of its current population. Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library

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