When We Ruled: 'A history the world needs' Bettany Hughes

Paperback Published on: 23/04/2026
Price: £12.99
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Bookseller Reviews

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When We Ruled
The best kind of history book
This is the kind of history I love learning, and reading about. Beautifully researched, it takes the stories of 12 queens and placing them in their context... READ MORE
Lucy at Leeds
When We Ruled
A book absolutely packed with information
What Paula Akpan has preserved in this book is the impact these women and people had on the continent of Africa, how they ruled, owned land and shared thei... READ MORE
Eilish from Rustington

Synopsis

'POETIC AND FIERCE' - Olivette Otele, author of AFRICAN EUROPEANS

'THIS SWEEPING HISTORY RESTORES WOMEN TO THE CENTRE OF AFRICAN POLITICAL POWER...BOTH ACCESSIBLE AND RIGOROUS' The Observer

'A RICH, SUMPTUOUS AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN TAPESTRY' - Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE

'A SEARING, NOURISHING JOURNEY THROUGH A HISTORY THE WORLD NEEDS'- Bettany Hughes, author of THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

'PLEASE READ IT!' - Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of NORMAL WOMEN

Discover the reigns of twelve African queens and warriors from across the continent, from pioneering historian and writer, Paula Akpan.

There are women who ruled vast swathes of the African continent. They led, loved and fought for their kingdoms and people and their impact can still be felt today. However, beyond the lands they called home, so few of us have heard their names.

From pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich plains of Rwanda, from Ancient Egypt to apartheid South Africa, historian Akpan writes the stories of these powerful queens and takes you on a spellbinding, enrapturing and immersive journey that is nothing short of revelatory.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
  • ISBN: 9781398719910
  • Number of pages: 416
  • Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 30 mm
  • Weight: 287g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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When We Ruled
Exquisite
In When We Ruled, Paula Akpan manages the fine and delicate lines of history, to tell twelve incredible stories, through a poetic and emotive voice. I foun... READ MORE
Ren
When We Ruled
An genuinely unforgettable book
When We Ruled is a powerful, moving read. Paula Akpan has created something truly special, a narrative that feels both timely and timeless, reaching across... READ MORE
Susana Ferreira
Verified Purchase
When We Ruled
African women leaders through the ages
A vivid exploration of the lives of twelve women who have ruled parts of Africa over the centuries from warriors to Rain Queens. They include a Princess fo... READ MORE
Jenny Hill
When We Ruled
A Must Read- Not Just for History Lovers
In When We Ruled, Paula Akpan rejects the two dimensionality of exceptionalism for something more messy, nuanced, and honest. Through this lens, she starts... READ MORE
Charlotte Je
When We Ruled
Spellbinding storytelling
This booked is incredible. Not only is it incredibly informative, but it is beautifully written and the author weaves vivid, nuanced portrayals of these ex... READ MORE
Fleur Finch
When We Ruled
A revolutionary way to tell history
Paula Akpan’s book is revolutionary not just in its platforming of rulers we are not taught enough (or at all) about in the Western school system - it can ... READ MORE
Carolina Are