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

Author: Akpan, Paula

Africa

Published on 23 April 2026 by Orion Publishing Co (Trapeze) in the United Kingdom.

'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 WOMENDiscover 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.