The Oldest Book in the World

‘A superb book, in its own way as exciting as any excavation of a tomb. More exciting, perhaps, because it breathes life rather than death’ - Stephen Fry
‘Bill Manley brings to vivid life the oldest Egyptian books of wisdom, committed to writing some four thousand years before our own time … Both scholarly and witty, The Oldest Book in the World addresses major issues that philosophers are still tackling, and major concerns for us all today’ - John Tait, Emeritus Professor of Egyptology at University College London
‘Bill Manley brings his skills to bear on Ptahhatp’s remarkable work for a modern readership, revealing this sensitive and compassionate exploration of truth, values, and the meaning of existence to be as valid and relevant today as it was 4,500 years ago’ - Guy de la Bédoyère, author of ‘Pharaohs of the Sun’
‘In these matters there is, it seems, even after four millennia, a lot to learn, and perhaps to unlearn … Warmly recommended to adventurous readers who delight in new insights’ - The Irish Catholic
‘Manley’s clear translation and historical and philosophical context successfully illustrate that Egyptian philosophy is “not the banal, proscriptive mouthpiece of a despotic regime, but rather the reasoned voice of experience … engaged in an open discussion about the meaning of life.” An important addition to the bookshelves of armchair Egyptologists’ - Publisher’s Weekly
‘A captivating exploration of Ancient Egyptian ideas, language, and history. In a clear and engaging writing style, Manley has taken a text that has long been overlooked and brought it to fresh attention’ - All About History
‘In Mr. Manley’s adroit and pioneering translation, the ‘Teaching’ is philosophy ages before the Greeks had it’ - The Wall Street Journal

Bill Manley is an Egyptologist, university lecturer, museum curator and bestselling author. He teaches Egyptology and Coptic at the University of Glasgow, and is Honorary President of Egyptology Scotland. He was formerly Senior Curator for Ancient Egypt at National Museums Scotland, and continues to work with archaeological projects in Egypt. He has published books, catalogues and articles covering such diverse subjects as ancient texts, the history of Egyptology, the archaeology of Palestine and ancient Egyptian art. Thames & Hudson has published several of his books, including Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners and Egyptian Art.

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