acarman1's review against another edition
5.0
Stacy Schiff has made her reputation teasing out misunderstood and lesser known figures and events from history. Here she takes on the Herculean task of creating a factual unhysterical account of one of the most polarizing figures of all time: Cleopatra, last Queen of Egypt. Recognizing that the only sources we have are written by her enemies and with their own agenda, Schiff strips away the myth to reveal, so far as we can, the real person. Cleopatra emerges as a clear-eyed, ruthless but very capable ruler who led her people well (after dispatching her siblings who might have been competition) but who fell through the mistake of trusting too much to Roman men. Romans, already hostile to powerful, intelligent women, have done their best to damage her reputation, reducing her to a wanton temptress who slept her way across the Mediterranean and only succeeded through her attachment to more powerful men--Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. In Schiff's retelling, Cleopatra solidified her rule over Egypt, made friends of the Romans, kept her people prosperous and free and in the end was undone because she trusted to Antony's prowess and to Octavian's mercy. Anyone looking for a dismantling of a popular myth should start here!
sueog's review against another edition
2.0
Learning about Cleopatra's life was very interesting but the book has some issues which make it difficult to read. It's chapters are ridiculous long and filled with meandering story lines of people in Cleopatra's life. Many times, I had to backtrack to figure out what cousin or son of who I was reading about.
I enjoyed the knowledge but it's not an easy read.
I enjoyed the knowledge but it's not an easy read.
kitkat2500's review against another edition
Very interesting subject...but the book starts off in a rambling fashion which makes it hard to follow. After about a quarter of the way in, the story line comes together and is well told. I found the writing very dense, and only got half-way through the book...
allieruth's review against another edition
5.0
I was absolutely enthralled by this book, couldn't put it down or stop talking about it.
Schiff really strips away the myth, and makes Cleopatra as a woman real (yet no less impressive). it goes beyond her, too, delving into Marc Antony, Caesar, Octavian, as well as the history of ancient Rome/Egypt; Schiff's prose makes the streets or Rome and Alexandria come to life. I don't read many biographies but this left me wanting more!
Schiff really strips away the myth, and makes Cleopatra as a woman real (yet no less impressive). it goes beyond her, too, delving into Marc Antony, Caesar, Octavian, as well as the history of ancient Rome/Egypt; Schiff's prose makes the streets or Rome and Alexandria come to life. I don't read many biographies but this left me wanting more!
erinlynum's review against another edition
5.0
Stacy Schiff does an incredible job sharing Cleopatra's history, or at least what's known of it. The only image of her that remains is on a coin. The book is just as much about Cleopatra as it is about history being written by the victors, as Romans, in their patriarchal culture, had many negative narratives over a woman's rule. Having won the love and attention of two Roman rulers, Cleopatra was painted as a manipulative seductress rather than the greatly educated and strategic head of state. Unlike her predecessors, she learned Egyptian so she could connect with the people. I enjoyed learning about how she fit into Egyptian culture and how Egypt's culture cared more for women, while Romans were more misogynistic and unpracticed in allowing women their rights. This book shares the complex history of the Ptolemys in Egypt, a family of Macedonian Greek heritage, which helped explain how Cleopatra came to be who she was. She was lucky to have survived her family, only to be captured by the Romans and choose death over whatever fate they held for her.
plant_the_read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
pamiverson's review against another edition
3.0
The author was fascinating in her talk at Seattle Arts and Lectures, about how one does a biography of someone for whom there are few primary sources. But the actual book is a slow read, in large part because I don't have a lot of the background information the author assumes. She was a remarkable woman, coming from a society where women could be leaders if their siblings didn't kill them first, then connecting with two of the most powerful men in the known world. Makes me want to watch the movie, even though now I'll be able to see all the inaccuracies...
erin_janda's review against another edition
3.0
This book was recommended to me, and I decided to listen to the audiobook. I did enjoy it, but I think I had somewhat different expectations about the book. I knew it was nonfiction and that it would present the history of Cleopatra from various sources, but I just felt ok about the overall reading experience.
My favorite chapters were learning about Cleopatra’s childhood. I found that really interesting, and there was quite a bit that I didn’t know. I knew that she was educated but didn’t know the extent of her education. It is truly impressive!
I would recommend this book. It is very well written and laid out. I also appreciate the fresh perspective brought to Cleopatra’s history, legacy, and lore.
My favorite chapters were learning about Cleopatra’s childhood. I found that really interesting, and there was quite a bit that I didn’t know. I knew that she was educated but didn’t know the extent of her education. It is truly impressive!
I would recommend this book. It is very well written and laid out. I also appreciate the fresh perspective brought to Cleopatra’s history, legacy, and lore.