As daybreak spills the first warm, honeyed light over Cairo, Florine Asch sets out with her sketchpad, pencils, and paintbrushes. Her journey will take her thousands of years into the past, to the sites of ancient Nubia and the temples of Abu Simbel, to the ageless desert oases that impassively watch the centuries pass. The temples of Luxor and Karnak, the pyramids at Giza, the tranquil silhouette of a felucca gliding on the silky waters of the Nile-all come to life under her brush. The text, in the form of a personal travelogue, provides a lively accompaniment to the evocative sketches and collages.

This delightful, highly personal account of a storied travel destination makes the ideal gift for Egypt enthusiasts and amateur watercolorists alike.