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Cleopatra

Cleopatra

A Life
Ancient HistoryBiography & Memoir
Pages
480
Published
2010
Language
English

Synopsis

Stacy Schiff's biography of Cleopatra moves beyond the legend to reveal the brilliant ruler and magnetic personality history has largely forgotten. This book uses classical sources to separate fact from fiction, presenting a fresh look at the queen whose life and death profoundly shaped the ancient world.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeReflectiveIntellectualThought-Provoking

Genres

Ancient History Biography & Memoir History Biography

About the author

S
Stacy Schiff

Stacy Schiff (born October 26, 1961, in Adams, Massachusetts) is an American biographer and essayist. Her 1999 biography Véra (Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov) won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Biography, and Saint-Exupéry: A Biography was a finalist for the same prize in 1995. Her other books include A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America (winner of the George Washington Book Prize), Cleopatra: A Life, The Witches: Salem, 1692, and The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams. She has held fe...

Frequently asked questions

  • What makes Stacy Schiff's biography of Cleopatra unique?

    Schiff's approach distinguishes itself by meticulously sifting through ancient sources, often contradictory, to reconstruct Cleopatra's life with a focus on her political acumen and strategic brilliance, rather than solely on her romantic entanglements. The book emphasizes the queen's agency and influence on Roman politics, offering a nuanced portrait that challenges many long-held popular misconceptions.

  • Is this book suitable for readers new to ancient history?

    While thoroughly researched, Schiff's narrative style is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for readers without extensive prior knowledge of ancient Egypt or Rome. She provides sufficient context to understand the political landscape and cultural nuances of Cleopatra's era.

  • Did this book win any notable awards?

    Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra was awarded the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography, recognizing its exceptional contribution to the genre.

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