Cleopatra

A Life

By: Stacy Schiff

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt.

Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Above all else, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist and an ingenious negotiator.

Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. She was married twice, each time to a brother. She waged a brutal civil war against the first when both were teenagers. She poisoned the second. Ultimately she dispensed with an ambitious sister as well; incest and assassination were family specialties. Cleopatra appears to have had sex with only two men. They happen, however, to have been Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, among the most prominent Romans of the day. Both were married to other women. Cleopatra had a child with Caesar and—after his murder—three more with his protégé. Already she was the wealthiest ruler in the Mediterranean; the relationship with Antony confirmed her status as the most influential woman of the age. The two would together attempt to forge a new empire, in an alliance that spelled their ends. Cleopatra has lodged herself in our imaginations ever since.

Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Shakespeare and Shaw put words in her mouth. Michelangelo, Tiepolo, and Elizabeth Taylor put a face to her name. Along the way, Cleopatra's supple personality and the drama of her circumstances have been lost. In a masterly return to the classical sources, Stacy Schiff here boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff 's is a luminous, deeply original reconstruction of a dazzling life.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2010 Stacy Schiff (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Stacy Schiff does a rare thing: She gives us a book we'd miss if it didn't exist."—Wall Street Journal

"A masterpiece."—Daily Beast

"Captivating...Ms. Schiff strips away the accretions of myth that have built up around the Egyptian queen and plucks off the imaginative embroiderings of Shakespeare, Shaw and Elizabeth Taylor. In doing so, she gives us a cinematic portrait of a historical figure far more complex and compelling than any fictional creation, and a wide, panning, panoramic picture of her world."—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

Great read, cites and critiques with wit

I’ve read this book half a dozen times and I like it more every time. She makes quick work of ancient sources (known for being completely prejudiced and inaccurate, especially bent towards women) and extrapolates with aplomb about 40 years of some of the world’s most interesting history. Great reader, though there are some odd pronunciations to my Southern American ears. I recommend it often.

Amazing book!

I enjoyed every minute of reading this book! It was so detailed and gave us an insight into one of the most fascinating women of all time. A must read!

Fabulous - Greatly Exceeded Expectatiions

The author's maticulously researched and written work not only well portrayed the events of two thousand years ago but also described the characters thoroughly. The narrator skillfully place emphasis and paced the reading pleasingly. I have recommended this audiobook to my friends enthusiastically.

Informative. Impressive subject matter and author.

This book is so full of information. I am glad that I listened to this book because it is so detailed that it might have taken me quite some time to read it all the way through. At times, I was wondering if I was more impressed with the subject matter or the author.

full complete as possible

She goes into detail about this woman's life written by men. She gives you an insight into bit of the life of Cleopatra and all that is Cleopatra.

Fascinating

A biography that examines Cleopatra as a politician, world leader and member of a dangerous and complicated royal dynasty.

It's great to read a biography of her life that seeks to know the truth. Cleopatra's life was far from the romantic. Brief flickers of happiness between long stretches of avoiding assassination and defeat.

Wonderful descriptions of Egypt during this time - makes it easier to understand Cleo's world. I listen to this book over and over again. If you love female rulers, put this one on your list.

Just WOW!!

I learned so much, thank-you. So goo dc yo have several points of view shared and drifted through with a voice of reason. So much to learn that I WILL listen again!

great book. great reading.

sometimes it gets a little long, and a few points I was inclined to roll my eyes. but very well researched, wonderfully written. the authors case is well made, and I believe it to be one of the most accurate descriptions of a legend. the reader was well spoken, and follows the pace of both story and book. I didn't get bored, which can happen sometimes with audible books. delivery is key. I completed this during my commute, so a but longer I think others could go through it, but it was a pleasant distraction at the end of the day

great read!

Very well researched, cohesive timeline, great narration. A marvelous portrait of an extraordinary leader and woman. The author did a beautiful job bringing the Alexandria of 2000 years ago to life. If I could time travel, I would love to have walked the streets during Mark Anthony's 1st visit to the city.

Very engaging

I loved it. it gave lots of details that clarified so many things I had heard about Cleopatra.