The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney

3.71 AVERAGE

sams84's profile picture

sams84's review against another edition

4.0
As a hobby Egyptologist I am relatively familiar with Hatshepsut and her reign, or I thought I was until I read this and found that the general histories I've read so far. Having read Tyldesley's biography of this amazing woman I knew much of the factual side of Cooney's biography but Cooney took this a step further and brough Hatshepsut to life by using her experience and knowledge of the era to add the human element, bringing Hatshepsut to life. Cooney shows that Hatshepsut was more than just someone who took advantage of circumstance and showed her instead to be politically intelligent and capable of creating her own path to power, all without resorting to the means that are often so 'celebrated' and remembered in relation to other female rulers (Cleopatra VII being a prime example of this). While much of what Cooney describes is conjecture, she talks the reader through her reasoning and gives each relevent view point allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions as well as following hers. And the notes at the end allow even more in depth analysis and shows that the person and Pharaoh that Cooney describes really was possible and was far more than she is remembered for.

triss001's review against another edition

2.0
challenging informative sad fast-paced
ladyofthelake's profile picture

ladyofthelake's review against another edition

3.25
challenging informative slow-paced
shannasbooksnhooks's profile picture

shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition

4.75
challenging informative inspiring reflective

fricka's review against another edition

3.0
Audiobook. I was initially worried because there was so much conjecture and I found it irritating and unnecessary, as it is such an interesting story. However, that is only in the beginning chapters.

Really enjoyed the audiobook reading.
e_asw_97's profile picture

e_asw_97's review against another edition

3.5
informative reflective medium-paced
jenwool's profile picture

jenwool's review against another edition

4.75
challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

cschmi46's review against another edition

5.0
The story of a radically feminist, potentially queer, woman of color who rose to the highest power in the greatest kingdom in the world, and it all happened thousands of years ago. Hatshepsut is such an important and overlooked part of history. We need stories like this now more than ever.

js_reads's review against another edition

3.25
informative inspiring medium-paced

sdeeim's review against another edition

3.5
challenging informative slow-paced