EGYPT By Lt.-Col. P. G. Elgood
Perhaps ,Colonel Elgood had the hardest task of all the writers of this Modern States Series (Arrowsmith, 3s. ad.), of which this is No. 7 ' • for the history of Egypt stretches further into-the-dark backward and abysm of time than that of anyi other country. But Colonel Elgood is a master of compres-j, sion, and manages to bring out the salient facts in a series oft sharp, definite sentences, not one of which is superfluous. hi, apportioning his space, Colonel Elgood has wisely increase4, the allowance as the time grows closer to our own, for this is the Modern States series, and we are concerned with the Egypt that we know, not with that of the Pharaohs. The emphasis! must be on recent history. Since he has lived in Egypt for so, many years, he is only too aware of the difficulties and per- plexities, but he ends up on a note of optimism. He might; perhaps have given more space to the causes of the rebellion of 1919, but the space was doubtless needed for an account of the sad and futile negotiations that have proceedeil ever since.1 "Trade may succeed where diplomacy has failed," he suggests, , a prophecy which at the moment seems likely to be fulfilled) The book may be strongly recommended as a short and brilliant introduction to the history of Egypt, and if those interested in special periods find that their quota is too small, Colonel Elgoodi. has already answered their complaints with a quotation front;, Diodorus Siculus, to the effect that "there was never any , poet or historian that could please all their readers in every-
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