Presents the history of the West's obsession with ancient Egyptian art and culture, from the time of the Romans, to the campaigns of Napolean Bonaparte, the discovery Tutankhamen's tomb, and the popular culture of today.

Birth of a collection -- Rome and the birth of Egyptomania -- Napoleon on the Nile -- How an obelisk and a canal conquered France -- The amazing voyage of Cleopatra's needle -- Egypt for sale : Victorian Egyptomania -- New York gets its obelisk -- The mummies sing songs of the Nile -- Tutankhamen, superstar -- The mummy goes to the movies -- The future of Egyptomania.