Women's History Book Reviews

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Cleopatra Rules!

Vicky Alvear Shecter

This sprightly young adult book is written to attract Shecter’s intended audience. It’s strengths are its gossipy contemporary language mixed with information intended to correct the past portrayal of Cleopatra as a sultry temptress. Cleverly illustrated side bars also provide straight forward facts about her life and times. Shecter’s Chapter Endnotes, Timeline, Glossary, and Bibliography of both primary and secondary sources are particularly helpful.

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Cleopatra: The Life and Death of a Pharaoh

Edith Flamarion

This is an equally appealing source for older students. Richly illustrated, the small biography includes a section called Documents, comprising of bits from works which helped create the myths rather than historical truths about the queen. It also includes a chronology and books for further reading.