When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt Hardcover – Illustrated, October 30, 2018

Nice to read about women who helped rule an ancient land. Strong women aren't a new idea but they are great role models for today. This book is a great gift.

There is so much to recommend in this book. Cooney examines the trajectories of six female pharaohs from the Old Kingdom to the Ptolmiac period: Merineth, Neferusobek, Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Tawosret, and Cleopatra, discussing the similarities of their experiences as kings and drawing parallels to wider truths and similarities of women and power - and patriarchy - today.Most of these women were "placeholders" for men - tolerated as such so long as they did not "overstep" traditional gender roles as protectors of younger (male, of course) successors - essentially playing the part of the protective mother who has no interest in actually being in power. That these women also tended to act as regents during periods of upheaval and rapid political change is, Cooney argues, also part of the reason they were permitted to wield such authority.The exceptions - Hatshepsut and Cleopatra (and, perhaps, Nefertiti) - were of particular interest, as much for how these women took and held power as for how they were (and are) remembered after their deaths. In short, Hatshepsut's monuments and name was largely erased (her name, like that of Smenkhare) removed from the king's list ostensibly because they reached too far as women. Cooney's discussion of Nefertiti - and whether she is or is not Smenkhare, and the subsequent end of the 18th dynasty - was fascinating even in its brevity. For those unfamiliar, among Egyptologists, the identity of Smenkhare specifically, and the details of how Ay and Horemheb came to power is one of tremendous controversy.The real heart of the book, however, is the connections between the ancient past and the present. This is, after all, the whole point of studying history. Cooney does a masterful job of dating parallels between these powerful women and contemporary politics. That some, such as Benazir Bhutto, have learned how to align themselves with men of the past as they stake their political claim and therefore be accepted, as contrasted with Hillary Clinton who boldly sought to break away from the patriarchal power structure when she proclaimed, "... I challenge assumptions about women. I do make some people uncomfortable, which I'm well aware of, but that's just part of coming to grips with what I believe is still one of the most important pieces of unfinished business in human history - empowering women to stand up for themselves." That we in the early 21st century are seeing women in increasing numbers challenge traditional power structures in the workplace, in the military and in politics is both reason for celebration and, given the lessons of history, reason for concern, as power does not easily or readily concede.Come readers may take issue with the strong connections Cooney makes about women and power and the strong, bright lines that connect attitudes across time around the issue. I found her evidence compelling, her reasoning unassailable, and her writing clear. I very much enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

She is very repetitive but the book was very immersive. I felt like I was there in history just like I would feel like I was in a fictional book. Just be prepared for the author to really break it down for you. I personally think the book could have been cut in half if it wasn't so repetitive but it is what it is.If you want to learn about not just female rulers in ancient Egypt, but also male rulers that are not as famous come up a lot. So you will get a lot more information than just the female pharaohs.I say buy it, read it, enjoy some extensive knowledge on Egypt

When I am reading Dr. Cooney book I feel as I am reading eyewitness notes. You can’t find information she used in other historical books. Characters in her book are alive, very personal, it seems she contacted with them on regular basis; it is why she got so many details from people of Ancient Egypt. Sometimes I think she is incarnated Cleopatra.Clearly woman was in the charge from very beginning. Eva told Adam and he ate… When God punished people for this sin, it seems to me He blessed woman: “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your(serpent) seed and her (Eva) seed.He will strike your head…” Genesis 3:15 And woman has no seeds at all, but in this case she doesn’t need man. God will provide everything.Men will definitely disagree with this statement ... But from the moment of the creation of the world, women themselves are determined by nature and God to create and control life, and men - to save, support and sustain this life.At a time when, using brute force, men were forced to believe that they are the main ones on the planet Earth. Women as “second-class” creatures were perceived for a very long time, as religion, society, and state interpreted.In the case of real cataclysms and during prolonged stress, men are almost doomed, which is not true of women.Men at all times ignore emotions: what's the point of negotiating confrontation, if force can be used.A woman without emotional intelligence ceases to be a woman.If a woman knows how to love and fell in love, she is ready, without hesitation, to perform a spiritual feat - for example, an act of self-sacrifice. She will never betray if she truly loves. And she is great in this power! Male nature is different, for example, a beautiful female body, is provoked, a hormonal surge will occur. And then even a loving man can make a moral mistake. Loving woman - never.

I love everything about ancient Egypt, and my absolute hero is Queen Hapshepshet. I could read about her all day, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I was impressed. It dealt with the six queens who ruled Egypt in their own right. It was a very well researched and written book. I was interested in what the author had to say about each queen.I would definitely recommend this book for any reader who is interested in either ancient Egypt or in female rulers. I definite think this book should be given to and young girl so they know what it is like when women ruled the world.

This book is amazing at discussing the women that helped build Egypt and what details there are of them while they reigned. It’s an amazing book and I am constantly recommending it to everyone around me. It lead me to the other book, The Woman Who Would Be King, also by Kara Cooney. Definitely worth the money.

Muy buena escritura, buena información. Hace un buen análisis de la situación política de la mujer en la política del antiguo Egipto y con buenas comparaciones con la actualidad. Lectura recomendada para tener una perspectiva distinta sobre Egipto, varias de sus reinas y el rol de la mujer en el liderazgo y la política.Claro, está en inglés. Pero la edición en inglés es más barata que en español.

Aos moldes de seu outro livro "The Good Kings", a autora não se limita a narrar a trajetória dessas personagens, tal qual é amplamente divulgado nos livros de historia com base nas narrativas que os Egipcios nos deixaram. Ao contrario, a autora traz à tona o contexto social no qual essas mulheres estavam inseridas, cada uma à sua época, e especula, com base nesse contexto, como eram suas vidas, seus problemas, intrigas e medos, como conseguiram chegar ao poder e como devem ter repercutido na sociedade de seu tempo. Muito interessante, uma novo olhar sobre um tema já bastante escrito.

This book is wonderfully written and is great for all, not just those interested in Ancient Egypt

Great read for those interested in history and a peek into how key women (still) were back in the day.

I got this book for my friend birthday and she loved it.