When We Ruled

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What to expect

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

'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.

Critics Review

Poetic and fierce, this volume is a compelling modern-day journey into past histories of impressive African queens and leaders.

Olivette Otele, author of AFRICAN EUROPEANS

A rich, sumptuous and beautifully written tapestry of the past that makes my heart soar and ache all at once; this is the history we should have learned in schools. I can’t imagine the person I’d be today if I’d known that this is where we came from.

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

A beautiful retelling of the stories of African women long ignored, and attempted erasure. Paula Akpan looks at our collective ancestors and gathers their stories into one book as a hen would her precious eggs, with care and reverence. She explores, questions and offers the world a glimpse into the past. Establishing the grit of African women present, gifting a future bright.

Ayọ̀délé Ọlọ́fintúàdé, author of LAKIRIBOTO

The tapestry of stories Akpan weaves throughout this book are rich. Complicated and pulsing with the voices of historians, storytellers, archivists and memory-holders she has communed with during her time on the continent, When We Ruled has love and care poured into every single page.

Jade Bentil, Black feminist historian and DPhil candidate in the Faculty of History at the University of Oxford.

It is thrilling to see a historian restoring women to their place of honour and importance. An extraordinary book – this tells more than a hidden history of Africa, more than queens and women leaders forgotten by history, this tells of women as they were as we are and as we can be. PLEASE read it!

Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of NORMAL WOMEN

An empowering and insightful seminal work of historical significance. As a member of the
Yorùbá myself, this was a powerful reminder to remember who I am and the stock of courage, power, and resilience I come from. Akpan has written a groundbreakingly brilliant book to fill a significant gap in African history and I am grateful for it.

Lola Akinmade, international bestselling author of IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACK and NAACP-nominated EVERYTHING IS NOT ENOUGH

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