This is a timely work which seeks to place Egypt in its true historical context. It captures the substantial, unmistakable evidence for the indigenous African origin of the ancient Egyptians. It also examines the genius behind their invaluable achievement in concretizing and codifying the hieroglyphic system of writing that they inherited from their ancestors. It explains their mastery of the arts and sciences as displayed in their monumental architectural feats. And finally it analyzes their highly organized-not surprisingly, matriarchal -- social system which made it possible for so many of their unsurpassed contributions to be bequeathed to human cultures everywhere. Unlike conventional treatments of ancient Egypt, however, this innovative text renders the collected data accessible to layman and expert alike through its framework of suggested curriculum outlines, thus ensuring this book's usefulness to the general public as well as to educational institutions. "Professor Crawford.. has made every effort to show that art and language are weapons in a nation's cultural survival. In preparing this book with the...hope that it will be used in a multicultural curriculum, he has opened a new educational door by showing the true significance of ancient Egyptian art and language". -- John Henrik Clarke, Professor Emeritus/Hunter College "Blending Egyptology with progressive education philosophy..., Crawford argues that Egyptian studies, with a focus on art and language, is a necessary and empowering course of study for African American students... and for students from other backgrounds as well. -- Keith Gilyard, Syracuse University "Dr. Crawford cites chapter and verse as to how wecan naturally fashion the curriculum to reflect both our diverse legacies and contributions to society and, in so doing, render diverse and sundry individual subject areas genuinely interdisciplinary....I sincerely hope that this fine work gets the broad airing it deserves. If enough educators are exposed to it, I am certain it will play an important part in energizing the studies that take place in schools across the nation". -- Arthur Lewin, Baruch College