Kara Cooney is a professor of Egyptology at UCLA. Her studies focus on afterlife beliefs, preparations for death and gender dynamics in ancient Egypt. Her previous book, The Woman Who Would Be King, is about the life and death of Egypt’s female king Hatshepsut.
Ancient Egypt is a historical anomaly: the Egyptians called upon women to lead their country more frequently than any other culture. Tracing their rise to power within the authoritarian system of divine kingship, When Women Ruled the World (2018) tells the stories of Egypt’s six most important female leaders – Merneith, Neferusobek, Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, Tawosret and Cleopatra – and explores what lessons they hold about female leadership for us today.
The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney is a captivating account of the remarkable female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Cooney brings to life the political intrigue, cultural complexities, and personal triumphs of this ancient ruler. It offers a fresh perspective on gender and power in ancient Egypt, challenging traditional narratives and shedding light on a truly extraordinary woman.
History enthusiasts interested in the ancient world and powerful female figures
Readers curious about the complexities of gender and leadership in different cultures
Those who enjoy biographies that bring lesser-known historical figures to life