--- product_id: 83302861 title: "When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt" price: "25430CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/83302861-when-women-ruled-the-world-six-queens-of-egypt store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt **Price:** 25430CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt - **How much does it cost?** 25430CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/83302861-when-women-ruled-the-world-six-queens-of-egypt) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description This riveting narrative explores the lives of six remarkable female pharaohs, from Hatshepsut to Cleopatra--women who ruled with real power--and shines a piercing light on our own perceptions of women in power today. Female rulers are a rare phenomenon--but thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, women reigned supreme. Regularly, repeatedly, and with impunity, queens like Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra controlled the totalitarian state as power-brokers and rulers. But throughout human history, women in positions of power were more often used as political pawns in a male-dominated society. What was so special about ancient Egypt that provided women this kind of access to the highest political office? What was it about these women that allowed them to transcend patriarchal obstacles? What did Egypt gain from its liberal reliance on female leadership, and could today's world learn from its example? Celebrated Egyptologist Kara Cooney delivers a fascinating tale of female power, exploring the reasons why it has seldom been allowed through the ages, and why we should care. Review: Education - Excellent book Review: "Sometimes it is better to have a strong woman telling you what to do." - 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. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #219,599 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #20 in Historical Middle East Biographies #30 in Ancient Egyptians History #65 in Women in History | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,083 Reviews | ## Images ![When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81qTrpfEVaL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Education *by A***R on April 30, 2026* Excellent book ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Sometimes it is better to have a strong woman telling you what to do." *by D***N on November 12, 2018* 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. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great read, relies on educated hypothesis as much history does. *by K***N on July 31, 2021* As a historian, she writes a good tale and tries to fill in gaps with well researched hypothesis, but I’d rather not have read her political views in this book. Overall it’s an interesting read noting Egyptians were masters in erasing peoples histories When those leaders became unpopular. ## Frequently Bought Together - When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt - The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World - The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/83302861-when-women-ruled-the-world-six-queens-of-egypt](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/83302861-when-women-ruled-the-world-six-queens-of-egypt) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-09-17*