This pocket book offers an excellent introduction to a fascinating city whose history well matches the motto of Paris "fluctuat nec mergitur". Alexandria has seen many an ebb and flow of its fortunes. As a Greek bridgehead to Egypt it was a multicultural trader city from the beginning that flourished under the Ptolemaic kings until management passed on to the Romans, followed by the Byzantines and the Islamic conquerors. Later on, the crusaders and Napoleon showed up. European traders revived the city in the 19th century which saw tremendous growth from 13.000 inhabitants in 1821 to 573.000 in 1927. Today, it is a city of nearly four million people. The turmoils the 20th century meant that Alexandria lost most of its cosmopolitan flair. Only recently has the city seen a recovery in its fortune. Hopefully, the developments in Egypt will further the modernization of Alexandria in its third millennium.

Written by a French expert and connoisseur of the city, it is lavishly illustrated and covers its topic from many angles. Highly recommended. ( )