This is *the* book for a thorough account of the political and social climate in Egypt during the second intermediate period. It is the first study to supplant von Beckerath's "Untersuchungen zur politsche Geschicte der Zweiten Zwischenzeit in Agypten" and takes into account virtually all of the evidence to come to light in the 33 years since von B's seminal work. My only complaint is that it does not treat any of the Nubian textual material which, although scant, does offer some worthwhile insight into the period. But, what can you do? The price is a bit on the steep side... which will probably preclude the non-specialist from picking it up. However, for the student of Egyptology, this is definitely a must-have for your reference shelf (assuming, of course, you don't have access to a good Egyptian-focused library)