The Woman Who Would Be King

Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt

By: Kara Cooney

Narrated by: Kara Cooney

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

An engrossing biography of the longest-reigning female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt and the story of her audacious rise to power.

Hatshepsut - the daughter of a general who usurped Egypt's throne and a mother with ties to the previous dynasty - was born into a privileged position in the royal household, and she was expected to bear the sons who would legitimize the reign of her father’s family. Her failure to produce a male heir was ultimately the twist of fate that paved the way for her improbable rule as a cross-dressing king. At just over twenty, Hatshepsut ascended to the rank of pharaoh in an elaborate coronation ceremony that set the tone for her spectacular reign as co-regent with Thutmose III, the infant king whose mother Hatshepsut out-maneuvered for a seat on the throne. Hatshepsut was a master strategist, cloaking her political power plays in the veil of piety and sexual reinvention. Just as women today face obstacles from a society that equates authority with masculinity, Hatshepsut shrewdly operated the levers of power to emerge as Egypt's second female pharaoh.

Hatshepsut successfully negotiated a path from the royal nursery to the very pinnacle of authority, and her reign saw one of Ancient Egypt's most prolific building periods. Scholars have long speculated as to why her monuments were destroyed within a few decades of her death, all but erasing evidence of her unprecedented rule. Constructing a rich narrative history using the artifacts that remain, noted Egyptologist Kara Cooney offers a remarkable interpretation of how Hatshepsut rapidly but methodically consolidated power - and why she fell from public favor just as quickly. The Woman Who Would Be King traces the unconventional life of an almost-forgotten pharaoh and explores our complicated reactions to women in power.

©2014 Kara Cooney (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"The life of Hatshepsut, Egypt's second female pharaoh, was replete with opulent living, complex royal bloodlines, and sexual energy; in short, the kind of drama that fuels Ancient Egypt's enduring appeal…From Hatshepsut’s self-perception, political prowess, and lifestyle emerge an image of the ‘ultimate working mother’ and a compelling insight into ancient gender roles." ( Publishers Weekly)

"This biography could only be based on conjecture and guesswork, but the addition of expertise makes it well worth reading. The author's Egyptology background provides the nitty-gritty of daily life and animates this king (at the time, there was no word for 'queen')…. Cooney's detective work finally brings out the story of a great woman's reign." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Just a great book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am on my way to Egypt--and currently fascinated with all things Egyptian--I thought this was a great book--it delved deeply into a piece of Egyptian history, while also giving enough background that it illustrated broader concepts about Egypt as well.

I typically don't care for authors reading their own work--but I thought Kara Cooney was very easy to listen to.

Good, just be careful

This book was great but it containes some content involving private parts this is not very much mostly in the first couple chapters. But other than that it is very interesting and informative.

The Woman Who Should Be Known!

Kara Cooney’s capture of the life and deeds of King Hatshepsut is extraordinary and goes far beyond most scholarly work. This book fully immerses you into the life of one of the greatest women in history, and it really makes you wonder why we are taught the failures of Cleopatra and not the successes of Hatshepsut. This book is by far the best historical work I have ever read and I find myself returning to it again and again. I fully recommend it and any lover of history, particularly the history of women in power or of Egypt, will adore this work.

I really enjoyed it

I expected it to be more dramatized and from Hatshepsut's perspective and I was at first disappointed. But it was a good listen and gave me a better understanding of that time. It is almost like a text book in some ways so if your looking for a drama or fiction look elsewhere. If you love history you will love this.

outstanding analysis of a fascinating woman

Absolutely absorbing.
An outstanding look and analysis of a deeply fascinating woman. The author reads it well.

The authors ability to tell a story

I truly enjoyed this audiobook because the author reads the story so well. Highly recommend! I learned a lot about the Egyptian culture, history, political structure and much more.

Not enjoyable

It's not a history book, it's not a novel. I felt like the book was stuck in the middle. The characters didn't have the necessary depth of a novel and the facts where not detailed as needed to be a historical book. The constant guessing of feelings was tedious and annoying.

Better Than I Thought It Would Be

I thought this was a really good book; although it was a bit dry at times.

great read

This was a great book. I loved how the author gave details about Egypt and the rulers.

Lessons to be learned from ancient Egypt

I love Hatshepsut and this made me love her all the more! I highly recommend