Published: New York : Little, Brown and Co., c2010
Edition: 1st ed
Description: viii, 368 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. ; 24 cm
ISBN/ISSN: 9780316001922, 0316001929,
Language: English
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt. Though her life spanned fewer than 40 years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world
Introduction: That Egyptian woman -- Dead men don't bite -- Cleopatra captures the old man by magic -- The golden age never was the present age -- Man is by nature a political creature -- We must often shift the sails when we wish to arrive in port -- An object of gossip for the whole world -- Illicit affairs and bastard children -- The wickedest woman in history
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submitted by Auntie Anne on March 17, 2012, 4:33 pm
In Stacy Schiff's outstanding bestselling biography of the famous Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra emerges as a woman who bedazzled her admirers not as a devastatingly beautiful temptress, but as an intelligent, well educated, multi-lingual power broker. Schiff admits that "there is not universal agreement on most of even the basic details of Cleopatra's life. So much of this history is simply not known." She does an excellent job of researching the reputable historians accounts to piece together a very credible account of Cleopatra's life and times. Discarding the myths and fantastic fiction of Shakespeare and Hollywood, the reader sees a clear picture of a very powerful, wealthy Egyptian female ruler who used her intelligence, charisma and politial acumen to parley political deals and military alliances with those who would best serve her and her country's needs - the Romans. Cleopatra: A Life is definitely not a beach read, and commands every ounce of your attention. You will find yourself running to the dictionary to look up words you'd never heard before. But the history is fascinating and well worth the time and effort spent in the reading of it. As one critic noted, "Ancient Egypt never goes out of style." (Margaret Flanagan)
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