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Cleopatra
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"A swift, sympathetic life of one of history's most maligned and legendary women."-- Kirkus
Book Description
The massive US bestseller - 350,000 hardbacks sold in 22 weeks on New York Times List
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I am a fan of the classical period of history and devour the fiction of Iggulden, Sidebottom, and Scarrow and a favourite DVD series is "Rome". I have visited Pompeii and travelled on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan.So I am no stranger to the context of Cleopatra's life and times. But, even for someone starting with much less knowledge and experience, this is well constructed and in a comfortable, non-lecturing style. Did you know that Cleopatra was neither Egyptian or the only Cleo of Egypt? This book explains that.
For her early,developmental years the author, due to lack of actual Cleopatran data constructs from the norms of the period (a similar device is applied by Jonathan Bate "Soul of the Age" for Shakespeare). It is a valuable piece of crafting her beginnings and how she could be, not only the woman of the age, but the woman for any age (Elizabeth I, a most admired historical figure, does not bear comparison to Cleopatra, such is her stature and affect on the world 2000 years ago).
One hopes that the current archaeological work at Alexandria (submerged) will produce more data on this fascinating woman.
Stacy Schiff has written a well-rounded, unbiased account, one that refutes a number of myths and slanders. This book will both entertain and inform.
For her early,developmental years the author, due to lack of actual Cleopatran data constructs from the norms of the period (a similar device is applied by Jonathan Bate "Soul of the Age" for Shakespeare). It is a valuable piece of crafting her beginnings and how she could be, not only the woman of the age, but the woman for any age (Elizabeth I, a most admired historical figure, does not bear comparison to Cleopatra, such is her stature and affect on the world 2000 years ago).
One hopes that the current archaeological work at Alexandria (submerged) will produce more data on this fascinating woman.
Stacy Schiff has written a well-rounded, unbiased account, one that refutes a number of myths and slanders. This book will both entertain and inform.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This is a highly accomplished work of popular history, centred on a spellbinding personality whose romantic resonance remains undimmed despite the passage of two millennia. It's a necessary book to read because if you're an average, informed reader like me you might be slightly embarrassed to have your impression of Cleopatra co-ordinated between Asterix, Carry on Cleo, Shakespeare and the TV series Rome. Stacy Schiff is a highly accomplished historical biographer who is able to carry a narrative across and through a life which is based on a great deal of supposition, inference, and biased witness from Roman historians.
The story itself is familiar, and is told efficiently. What stood out to me with the incredible lyrical descriptions of the city of Alexandria, which has to rank amongst the most compelling and magical of historical cities. The atmosphere of shameless hedonism, intellectual enquiry and breathtaking cosmopolitanism is deftly evoked: streets where scholars exchanged the missing dramas of Sophocles while Buddhist monks strolled by in their saffron robes. I also enjoyed the knowing and nuanced references to the brash militaristic yet irresistible Roman Empire, and the fading glory of Egypt viewed through the prism of American attitudes to Europe and the Middle East in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This is a very fine book and a compelling read. A slightly more developed look at the figure of Cleopatra as a cultural icon might be gained from Marina Warner's book, but this is fine historical writing.
The story itself is familiar, and is told efficiently. What stood out to me with the incredible lyrical descriptions of the city of Alexandria, which has to rank amongst the most compelling and magical of historical cities. The atmosphere of shameless hedonism, intellectual enquiry and breathtaking cosmopolitanism is deftly evoked: streets where scholars exchanged the missing dramas of Sophocles while Buddhist monks strolled by in their saffron robes. I also enjoyed the knowing and nuanced references to the brash militaristic yet irresistible Roman Empire, and the fading glory of Egypt viewed through the prism of American attitudes to Europe and the Middle East in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This is a very fine book and a compelling read. A slightly more developed look at the figure of Cleopatra as a cultural icon might be gained from Marina Warner's book, but this is fine historical writing.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Ancient Egypt, was an exciting part of history, with it's dazzling Pharoahs, Queens, construction of pyramids, obelisks, magnificently decorated tombs and temples, great opulence, and larger than life characters who still have the power to fascinate today.
The allure and magnetism of Cleopatra, who is one of the most celebrated and enigmatic figures, is brilliantly told in this already highly praised biography of the Egyptian Queen by Stacy Schiff, a Pulitzer prize winner. The legendary Cleopatra, lived in great luxury and her life is a blockbuster of a story. This is not a dull history book.
It's all here, murder, incest, double-dealing,intrigue, court gossip, political as well as sexual manoeuvring, and back stabbing.
Schiff has put together a wonderful biography, extensively researched, and sourced, hugely engaging and very readable. Cleopatra is painted as rather more a woman of intelligence, wit, political strategist, with a streak of ruthlessness, than the seductress of film.
Cleopatra, became Queen at 18, enormously wealthy, the last of the Ptolemic dynasty, and set about her objective of becoming sole ruler. Schiff, skilfully guides us through the ensuing tangle of marriages, (as was the then Egyptian custom,) to her younger brothers, (as co-rulers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV) and her relationships with Julius Caesar,(to whom she bore a son,) and Mark Anthony. The fact these liaisons also benefitted her politically, and strategically, signifies her pragmatic approach to her quest for power.
Since these events are 2,000 years old, and bearing in mind the maxim that ,"History is written by the winners," the author has sought not to fill in the gaps and relied on the sources available, carefully evaluating their credibility.
Stacy Schiff. has written a remarkable story on the Egyptian Queen, bringing her to life in an accessible, interesting and enchanting book.
Recommended.
The allure and magnetism of Cleopatra, who is one of the most celebrated and enigmatic figures, is brilliantly told in this already highly praised biography of the Egyptian Queen by Stacy Schiff, a Pulitzer prize winner. The legendary Cleopatra, lived in great luxury and her life is a blockbuster of a story. This is not a dull history book.
It's all here, murder, incest, double-dealing,intrigue, court gossip, political as well as sexual manoeuvring, and back stabbing.
Schiff has put together a wonderful biography, extensively researched, and sourced, hugely engaging and very readable. Cleopatra is painted as rather more a woman of intelligence, wit, political strategist, with a streak of ruthlessness, than the seductress of film.
Cleopatra, became Queen at 18, enormously wealthy, the last of the Ptolemic dynasty, and set about her objective of becoming sole ruler. Schiff, skilfully guides us through the ensuing tangle of marriages, (as was the then Egyptian custom,) to her younger brothers, (as co-rulers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV) and her relationships with Julius Caesar,(to whom she bore a son,) and Mark Anthony. The fact these liaisons also benefitted her politically, and strategically, signifies her pragmatic approach to her quest for power.
Since these events are 2,000 years old, and bearing in mind the maxim that ,"History is written by the winners," the author has sought not to fill in the gaps and relied on the sources available, carefully evaluating their credibility.
Stacy Schiff. has written a remarkable story on the Egyptian Queen, bringing her to life in an accessible, interesting and enchanting book.
Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Factual, alluring, and deserves its Pulitzer Prize
Stacy Schiff describes the life of Cleopatra in vivid detail. Her writing style reads as a good novel would, yet the factual basis of every scene oozes from each page,... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Cleopatra
Very readable - recommended
I found the first 50 or so pages of this biography a bit dull and was a bit concerned that I'd find the whole thing rather tiresome. Read more
Published 4 months ago by daisyrock
Poorly structures and confusing
I tried my hardest to get through this book, but only managed just over half. I am not really into historical books, but this topic fascinates me and although the content itself... Read more
Published 5 months ago by SuPeRsOnIc
Excellent retelling of an ancient tale
A thoroughly enjoyable, well written, well researched but not too detailed biography of one of history's big names. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Elizabeth Taylor
If you thought you knew the story
Stacy Schiff's biography of Cleopatra is not only beautifully written but also thoroughly researched and objectively presented. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ruth Zohrer
Worthy of a queen.
I'm not a huge fan of popular history books, but I am interested in Classical history and Cleopatra attracted me because of its vaguely feminist slant. It was brilliant. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Charlesworth
A right historical soap opera
Plots & sub-plots galore, including murder, infidelity, & enough intrigue to keep a soap opera going for a couple of years or more! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. K. Cross
Cleopatraaaaaah!!
I agree with a lot of my fellow reviewers that this is a wonderful subject and yet it's a curiously difficult book to get into and I just couldn't muster much enthusiasm for it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Soo Broo
Confusing
What a disappointment. Fascinating subject made completely incomprehensible by a very poor book structure and poor editing. Read more
Published 7 months ago by artemisrhi
Readable and accessible
A very detailed and readable account of the life of one of history's most fascinating women. This book is very accessible and full of information. Read more
Published 7 months ago by dali
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