“An accessible spin through the corridors of power in ancient Egypt, corridors that converged on thrones on which women reigned…Cooney provides welcome insights into pharaonic politics while bringing numerous little-known Egyptian women to the fore.”

–Kirkus Reviews

“Although Cooney occasionally flirts with gender essentialism, this book shines as an introduction to ancient Egyptian society and beliefs centered around elite women's experiences.” –Booklist

“Not since Leonard Cottrell’s Lady of the Two Lands (1966) has such an engrossing, well-researched collective study of Egyptian power queens been available. Definitively recommended for anyone with an interest in ancient Egyptian civilization or women’s studies.” —Library Journal

“Cleopatra may have ruled more than two thousand years ago, but her reign is still teaching Kara Cooney about the relationship between women and power today.” —Daily Bruin

“…this book breaks from trends in studies of ancient Egypt…Cooney discusses the women’s leadership…and speculates about what they must have experienced…her stories of these remarkable women…will enchant those wishing to imagine what ancient Egyptian court life was like.” –Publishers Weekly 

“When Women Ruled the World (or at least the Egyptian part of it) draws the reader into many less known aspects of ancient history with an informal prose and style for the general reader.” —NY Journal of Books

“…full of shadowy stories of murder, incest, political power plays and enough intrigue to satisfy even the most jaded reader.” —HoustonPress