Rating:
Source: NetGalley
Description: Dr. Kara Cooney uses her extensive training and background in Egyptology to breath life into little know Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was one of the very few females to rule as Pharaoh on her own. Not only that but she managed to rule for over 20 years in a time of prosperity in Ancient Egypt.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Why I Picked This Book: Since I discovered a National Geographic with pictures of King Tut's tomb when I was a child I've been fascinated by Egyptian history. I had a fabulous history class and an art history class in college that only deepened that fascination. The name Hatshepsut was familiar to me but I knew very little about her.
My Impression:
Pros: I liked that Cooney told us front that there just wasn't much to know about Hatshepsut because there's just very few things out there that have survived as well as being limited by the very formal way the Egyptians recorded events. This was before the time of diaries. There are no letters to discover to get a really in-depth look at who she was as a person. What Cooney does do is give us a detailed look at the structure in which Hatshepsut grew up and came to power. While I feel like I knew quite a bit about Egyptian history this really contained a lot of information regarding the life these people led including religion, health risks, political power and gender roles. There is some conjecture regarding Hatshepsut herself - her opinions, her reasons for action - but Cooney is very clear on what is conjecture and what is fact and also clear on her reasoning.
Cons: This didn't read like a fiction story but I didn't find it particularly dry. If this subject isn't particularly interesting or only mildly interesting to you I don't think this will be the book to hook you. I would have liked to have had more pictures or sketches regarding some of the artifacts that were described.
Overall: This was a fascinating book about a very little known figure in Egyptian history. The material was presented in a clear manner and should not be missed if this a topic you are interested in. I read this on my Kindle and had no problems with illustrations.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely!
Would I Recommend this Book?: Yes though not if you're not fascinated by Egypt already.
I learn something new all the time - never knew there was a female Pharoah! It sounds interesting but you are correct, if the subject matter isn't your cuppa tea you'd lose interest.
ReplyDeleteWill check this author's publications.
It's really interesting! I had heard of her but didn't know that much about her since the Egyptians were great at editing their history.
DeleteAlthough I'm interested in Egypt, I wouldn't say I'm fascinated. Not sure about this one...
ReplyDeleteThis one gives you a lot of perspective of what daily life was like for the royal family which I really found interesting.
DeleteI love history, except maybe for certain time periods, but ancient Egypt can be such a fascinating study. This sounds like it would be good.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one! I like getting a look at how people actually lived and she did a good job with this one!
DeleteI've heard of this pharaoh but I know next to nothing about her. It sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a great book for learning more about her!
DeleteSounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
DeleteAlways interested in Egypt... If it reads like fiction. /: Great that you liked it, though!
ReplyDeleteSarah @ One Curvy Blogger
While fascinating this definitely reads like a non-fiction!
DeleteRead a Nat Geo article on Hatshepsut - and heard about her when I was touring Egypt. All references to her were obliterated after her rule, so there's not much to learn. The Egyptians had a habit of obliterating all references, art etc of pharoahs they didn't like!
ReplyDeleteThat was definitely an annoying habit of the Egyptians. It makes me wince when I think about all that was lost.
DeleteI wish we did know more about Hatshepsut; she sounds fascinating! I read the same NatGeo article that Noelle did, and learned a bit about her through a documentary as well. That habit of obliterating references to pharoahs they didn't like makes Egyptian history even tougher to decipher.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look for this article! I do wish the Egyptians would have been nice and left us a record somewhere!
DeleteI watch everything I can on this period Katherine. Despite not reading like fiction, I think I would enjoy this as well.
ReplyDeleteMe too! The documentary about the DNA exam on King Tut? I was riveted! I really enjoyed this one.
DeleteI used to want to be an Egyptologist as a teenager so this is one I'm definitely going to read this one. Hatshepsut is becoming a more popular choice for a character in lots of books lately.
ReplyDeleteI do seem to be hearing her name more. She's fascinating and frustrating all at the same time!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! I've been curious about this book -- Hatshepsut sounds fascinating. Like you, I've been interested in Ancient Egypt since I was young.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy this one. There was a lot of daily life detail that I wasn't familiar with and so much of the way they did things really made sense after reading this book.
DeleteGoodreads just recommended this to me so I'm so glad I saw your review! this sounds fascinating and will definitely go on my list!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'd definitely give it a try. I really enjoyed it!
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