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Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy
Female kings have always been a rarity, an oddity, or an undesirable outcome. In almost all places on the globe a male ruler was preferred to a woman, with female inheritance vanishingly rare and frequently disputed. In spite of this, women have secured crowns - or fought for them - over several millennia. This scintillating book tell the story of the female women who risked everything, sometimes unwillingly, to find a place in a man's world.
Women Who Ruled the World covers an exhilarating expanse of time and from the lush oases of Ancient Egypt to the cherry blossomed islands of Japan, from the 19th century Queens of Madagascar who defied French attempts to colonise them to Tamar the Great, who presided over a golden age in Georgia. From the familiar - Boudicca, Cleopatra, Catherine to Great - to the unfamiliar - Urracca of Castile and Leon, Kushite queen Shanakdakhete, Lili'uokalani of Hawaii. This ground-breaking book casts a global eye over five millennia of queenship, a truly remarkable feat of historical skill and breadth of knowledge.
Women Who Ruled the World covers an exhilarating expanse of time and from the lush oases of Ancient Egypt to the cherry blossomed islands of Japan, from the 19th century Queens of Madagascar who defied French attempts to colonise them to Tamar the Great, who presided over a golden age in Georgia. From the familiar - Boudicca, Cleopatra, Catherine to Great - to the unfamiliar - Urracca of Castile and Leon, Kushite queen Shanakdakhete, Lili'uokalani of Hawaii. This ground-breaking book casts a global eye over five millennia of queenship, a truly remarkable feat of historical skill and breadth of knowledge.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Norton
46 books346 followersElizabeth Norton is a British historian specialising in the queens of England and the Tudor period. She obtained an Master of Arts in Archaeology and Anthropology from the University of Cambridge in 2003 and a masters degree in European Archaeology from the University of Oxford in 2004.
Elizabeth Norton is the author of five non-fiction works: She Wolves, The Notorious Queens of England (The History Press, 2008), Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Obsession (Amberley, 2008), Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's True Love (Amberley, 2009), Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's Discarded Bride (Amberley, 2009) and Catherine Parr (Amberley, 2010).[2]' She is also the author of two articles: Anne of Cleves and Richmond Palace (Surrey History, 2009) [3] and Scandinavian Influences in the Late Anglo-Saxon Sculpture of Sussex (Sussex Archaeological Collections, 2009)
Elizabeth Norton is the author of five non-fiction works: She Wolves, The Notorious Queens of England (The History Press, 2008), Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Obsession (Amberley, 2008), Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's True Love (Amberley, 2009), Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's Discarded Bride (Amberley, 2009) and Catherine Parr (Amberley, 2010).[2]' She is also the author of two articles: Anne of Cleves and Richmond Palace (Surrey History, 2009) [3] and Scandinavian Influences in the Late Anglo-Saxon Sculpture of Sussex (Sussex Archaeological Collections, 2009)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 4, 2025
This book is both more and less than what I expected: it’s not a comparative analysis of the phenomenon of ruling queenship throughout history, but a look at some unifying aspects of queenship throughout time, grouped mostly thematically, instead of a mere list. This also means that the focus is primarily on queenship itself and not female-led governments. The rulers covered include both crowd pleasers and the obscure, and the countries covered are broad, but there were still some notable omissions– most egregiously, for me at least, was Mary I of England not receiving her own section, both because she was England first undisputed queen regnant and because the author’s career has been spent chronicling Tudor queens.
My historical interests are primarily ancient, with the early modern period a distant second, and so I can’t vouch on how accurate the book was at every point, but the sections on the periods I do know about were competently told, with a few slips. I’m curious, for instance, about Norton’s comment that few Ptolemaic queens were “truly” rulers, which would no doubt offend Cleopatra II and III, the former of whom even ruled alone for a time (this is a big concern of Norton’s) and neither of whom are mentioned; in the time since the manuscript was evidently written, the hypothesis that Arsinoe’s remains are the ones at the Octagon of Ephesus has gone from ‘contentious’ to ‘debunked’; there exists debate about how much Elizabeth I’s sex seriously hindered her; Norton implies that third century Roman women couldn’t own property, but they could do since the early Republic, and paternal power applied to both daughters and sons; and the propositions, paragraphs apart, that Egyptian queens had to take pains to legitimize themselves in a patriarchal society and that Egyptian women had unusually high status seem to reflect confusion at her own point, rather than a genuine societal contradiction. Norton clearly likes her subjects, a sympathy perhaps inspired by the relative novelty of female rule, but is not blind to their flaws: she criticizes Victoria, for instance, for her imperialism, and as somebody tired of the rampant glazing of Cleopatra in popular history, I appreciated how Norton highlights that her reign was ultimately a failure, and that she was dependent on the men in her life.
The book’s biggest flaw is its organization. The queens are discussed concurrently and not separately, not always with respect to chronology. Although this helps illuminate similarities between them, it also means that many chapters jump forwards and/or backwards hundreds and sometimes thousands of years in the span of several paragraphs. The result is a whiplash that makes the narrative a bit confusing to follow, a confusion that will certainly be exacerbated if the reader has limited prior knowledge. There’s also some repetition in the subjects covered: Mary Queen and Scots and Victoria both get two sections, and Arsinoe’s chapter has a strong focus on Cleopatra, for instance. The ambitious scale of the topic of ‘5000 years of female monarchy’ in an under 400 page popular history means that coverage is sometimes superficial, best exemplified with the latter stage of Cleopatra’s life being vaguely summarized in a couple of sentences that give no real indication of why her downfall occurred. I’m also troubled by Norton’s apparent belief, made clear in the epilogue talking about modern female heads of state, that women in power equates to power for women: her own book shows how this wasn’t the case.
Ultimately, while this book goes beyond some other books about powerful women, its premise was perhaps too ambitious for what the author wanted to do, as shown in its disjointed narrative. Nevertheless, if the reader can get through it, they will be introduced to a number of fascinating women and of the problems of being a queen.
My historical interests are primarily ancient, with the early modern period a distant second, and so I can’t vouch on how accurate the book was at every point, but the sections on the periods I do know about were competently told, with a few slips. I’m curious, for instance, about Norton’s comment that few Ptolemaic queens were “truly” rulers, which would no doubt offend Cleopatra II and III, the former of whom even ruled alone for a time (this is a big concern of Norton’s) and neither of whom are mentioned; in the time since the manuscript was evidently written, the hypothesis that Arsinoe’s remains are the ones at the Octagon of Ephesus has gone from ‘contentious’ to ‘debunked’; there exists debate about how much Elizabeth I’s sex seriously hindered her; Norton implies that third century Roman women couldn’t own property, but they could do since the early Republic, and paternal power applied to both daughters and sons; and the propositions, paragraphs apart, that Egyptian queens had to take pains to legitimize themselves in a patriarchal society and that Egyptian women had unusually high status seem to reflect confusion at her own point, rather than a genuine societal contradiction. Norton clearly likes her subjects, a sympathy perhaps inspired by the relative novelty of female rule, but is not blind to their flaws: she criticizes Victoria, for instance, for her imperialism, and as somebody tired of the rampant glazing of Cleopatra in popular history, I appreciated how Norton highlights that her reign was ultimately a failure, and that she was dependent on the men in her life.
The book’s biggest flaw is its organization. The queens are discussed concurrently and not separately, not always with respect to chronology. Although this helps illuminate similarities between them, it also means that many chapters jump forwards and/or backwards hundreds and sometimes thousands of years in the span of several paragraphs. The result is a whiplash that makes the narrative a bit confusing to follow, a confusion that will certainly be exacerbated if the reader has limited prior knowledge. There’s also some repetition in the subjects covered: Mary Queen and Scots and Victoria both get two sections, and Arsinoe’s chapter has a strong focus on Cleopatra, for instance. The ambitious scale of the topic of ‘5000 years of female monarchy’ in an under 400 page popular history means that coverage is sometimes superficial, best exemplified with the latter stage of Cleopatra’s life being vaguely summarized in a couple of sentences that give no real indication of why her downfall occurred. I’m also troubled by Norton’s apparent belief, made clear in the epilogue talking about modern female heads of state, that women in power equates to power for women: her own book shows how this wasn’t the case.
Ultimately, while this book goes beyond some other books about powerful women, its premise was perhaps too ambitious for what the author wanted to do, as shown in its disjointed narrative. Nevertheless, if the reader can get through it, they will be introduced to a number of fascinating women and of the problems of being a queen.
October 21, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Spanning from biblical times up to the present day, Women Who Ruled the World traverses time and space to chronicle the many challenges and occasional triumphs of female monarchs throughout history. Eschewing traditional biography, historian Elizabeth Norton opts for a thematic structure, using her encyclopedic knowledge of queenship to explore the circumstances under which these women ruled. They include child queens, queen mothers, women whose thrones were usurped and who usurped the throne from others, empresses, and warrior queens, among others. Although there are a number of success stories sprinkled in (such as Isabella of Castile, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great), misogyny is the running constant throughout this book. Norton refuses to sugar-coat the harsh realities women rulers have faced, yielding far more tragedies than victories, a somber fact that is appreciated, if not necessarily enjoyed.
A tiger can't change its stripes however, and no matter how interesting I find the history of female monarchs, I am still a filthy American at my core. The closer the book gets to the present day, the more uncomfortable the regard bestowed on these monarchs becomes. In the Afterward, Norton triumphantly declares that monarchies aren't going anywhere, and that more women will ascend to their thrones in due time. Aside from the fact that most of these monarchies are entirely ceremonial, it seems very odd to celebrate a taxpayer-funded institution that favors someone based entirely on the chance of their birth and further perpetuates a modern-day caste system. The many sexual abuse scandals of just the last ten years alone highlight just how archaic and even dangerous modern monarchies can be. (Despite this being a book about monarchs, Norton also naturally feels the need to bring up Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris. Whatever else you think of her opponent, claiming that Harris--a woman who, curiously, was also elevated to her candidacy without receiving a single primary vote--lost solely because of her sex is intellectually dishonest.)
As an aside, having just finished reading a very long, detailed biography about James VI, I take issue with Norton's characterization of him as having coldly dismissed his mother's execution. On the contrary, the records show that the teenaged James, who was kidnapped in infancy and had no recollection of his mother, had run a long, arduous campaign to spare her life.
Spanning from biblical times up to the present day, Women Who Ruled the World traverses time and space to chronicle the many challenges and occasional triumphs of female monarchs throughout history. Eschewing traditional biography, historian Elizabeth Norton opts for a thematic structure, using her encyclopedic knowledge of queenship to explore the circumstances under which these women ruled. They include child queens, queen mothers, women whose thrones were usurped and who usurped the throne from others, empresses, and warrior queens, among others. Although there are a number of success stories sprinkled in (such as Isabella of Castile, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great), misogyny is the running constant throughout this book. Norton refuses to sugar-coat the harsh realities women rulers have faced, yielding far more tragedies than victories, a somber fact that is appreciated, if not necessarily enjoyed.
A tiger can't change its stripes however, and no matter how interesting I find the history of female monarchs, I am still a filthy American at my core. The closer the book gets to the present day, the more uncomfortable the regard bestowed on these monarchs becomes. In the Afterward, Norton triumphantly declares that monarchies aren't going anywhere, and that more women will ascend to their thrones in due time. Aside from the fact that most of these monarchies are entirely ceremonial, it seems very odd to celebrate a taxpayer-funded institution that favors someone based entirely on the chance of their birth and further perpetuates a modern-day caste system. The many sexual abuse scandals of just the last ten years alone highlight just how archaic and even dangerous modern monarchies can be. (Despite this being a book about monarchs, Norton also naturally feels the need to bring up Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris. Whatever else you think of her opponent, claiming that Harris--a woman who, curiously, was also elevated to her candidacy without receiving a single primary vote--lost solely because of her sex is intellectually dishonest.)
As an aside, having just finished reading a very long, detailed biography about James VI, I take issue with Norton's characterization of him as having coldly dismissed his mother's execution. On the contrary, the records show that the teenaged James, who was kidnapped in infancy and had no recollection of his mother, had run a long, arduous campaign to spare her life.
October 7, 2025
Women Who Ruled the World is a dense look into the history of female rulers. While the book intentionally does not include female-led governments, it does occasionally bring up information on Queen Regnant. Some of those mentioned are well known, such as Elizabeth I and others were more obscure and perhaps often overlooked in widespread historical texts such as this.
I struggled a bit with the flow of the story. In an effort to support themes and ideologies, the book jumps all over time and location and would then jump back when onto the new subject. I think attempting to cover 5,000 years of female rule in a few hundred pages made some of the sections feel a bit rushed (though people like Queen Victoria show up more than once.)
Overall, I think this would be an interesting read for those who already have an interest in some of the people mentioned but I wouldn't consider this a first-timers resource.
Women Who Ruled the World will be published Feb 24, 2026 and I received and advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
I struggled a bit with the flow of the story. In an effort to support themes and ideologies, the book jumps all over time and location and would then jump back when onto the new subject. I think attempting to cover 5,000 years of female rule in a few hundred pages made some of the sections feel a bit rushed (though people like Queen Victoria show up more than once.)
Overall, I think this would be an interesting read for those who already have an interest in some of the people mentioned but I wouldn't consider this a first-timers resource.
Women Who Ruled the World will be published Feb 24, 2026 and I received and advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
May 7, 2026
Elizabeth Norton’s "Women Who Ruled the World" stands as a testament to both the power of rigorous historical scholarship and the art of captivating storytelling. This exceptional and thoroughly engaging volume shines a radiant spotlight on the remarkable women who have shaped history across continents and centuries. Norton’s meticulous research is evident on every page, as she draws from a wealth of primary sources, scholarly analysis, and narrative flair, bringing these powerful female rulers vividly to life. The reader is treated not only to fascinating stories of ambition, vision, and leadership, but also to keen insights into the lasting impact these women have had on their societies and the world at large. The book is not merely informative—it is truly inspiring, celebrating the strength, intelligence, and resilience of women who defied social convention, challenged the status quo, and led their people with extraordinary courage.
Norton’s narrative is captivating throughout, weaving together historical detail with compelling storytelling that makes each chapter a joy to read. She demonstrates a profound respect for her subjects, presenting their achievements and challenges with nuance and clarity, never shying away from the complexities or contradictions that shaped their lives. Each ruler is presented not as a distant figure from the past, but as a living, breathing individual whose choices and actions echo through the ages. Norton’s ability to humanise her subjects is matched by her skill in situating them within broader social, political, and cultural contexts, offering readers a deep understanding of the world these women inhabited and transformed.
The book covers an impressive range of historical figures, from the ancient queens of Egypt to the powerful monarchs of medieval Europe and the influential leaders of the modern era. Norton charts the rise and reign of women who overcame formidable obstacles—whether battling prejudice, political rivals, or the constraints of tradition—to assert their will and vision. The stories are varied and rich: we meet women who ruled with wisdom and justice, others who navigated turbulent courts and dynastic intrigue, and still others who fought for their countries on the battlefield or through diplomacy. Each portrait is painted with care, allowing the reader to appreciate not only the accomplishments of these women but also their humanity, determination, and complexity.
For anyone interested in history, leadership, or the contributions of women to society, this book is an absolute must-read. Norton’s skill as a writer and historian ensures that "Women Who Ruled the World" goes beyond the mere recounting of events—it offers inspiration, encourages reflection, and leaves the reader with a profound new appreciation for the extraordinary women who have ruled the world.
Elizabeth Norton’s work has elevated the genre of historical biography, and "Women Who Ruled the World" deserves a place on the bookshelf of everyone who values thoughtful, well-researched, and beautifully written accounts of the past. This book is a powerful reminder that history is not only made by men, and that the stories of women who have led, inspired, and changed the world are as vital and compelling as any. Highly recommended.
Norton’s narrative is captivating throughout, weaving together historical detail with compelling storytelling that makes each chapter a joy to read. She demonstrates a profound respect for her subjects, presenting their achievements and challenges with nuance and clarity, never shying away from the complexities or contradictions that shaped their lives. Each ruler is presented not as a distant figure from the past, but as a living, breathing individual whose choices and actions echo through the ages. Norton’s ability to humanise her subjects is matched by her skill in situating them within broader social, political, and cultural contexts, offering readers a deep understanding of the world these women inhabited and transformed.
The book covers an impressive range of historical figures, from the ancient queens of Egypt to the powerful monarchs of medieval Europe and the influential leaders of the modern era. Norton charts the rise and reign of women who overcame formidable obstacles—whether battling prejudice, political rivals, or the constraints of tradition—to assert their will and vision. The stories are varied and rich: we meet women who ruled with wisdom and justice, others who navigated turbulent courts and dynastic intrigue, and still others who fought for their countries on the battlefield or through diplomacy. Each portrait is painted with care, allowing the reader to appreciate not only the accomplishments of these women but also their humanity, determination, and complexity.
For anyone interested in history, leadership, or the contributions of women to society, this book is an absolute must-read. Norton’s skill as a writer and historian ensures that "Women Who Ruled the World" goes beyond the mere recounting of events—it offers inspiration, encourages reflection, and leaves the reader with a profound new appreciation for the extraordinary women who have ruled the world.
Elizabeth Norton’s work has elevated the genre of historical biography, and "Women Who Ruled the World" deserves a place on the bookshelf of everyone who values thoughtful, well-researched, and beautifully written accounts of the past. This book is a powerful reminder that history is not only made by men, and that the stories of women who have led, inspired, and changed the world are as vital and compelling as any. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2026
Throughout history, women - and women in leadership roles - have been maligned, set up on impossible pedestals, and shunted to the side in a world dominated by men. In her latest book Women Who Ruled the World, Dr. Elizabeth Norton uncovers the stories of many tenacious, intelligent, and astute women who bore the heavy mantle of leadership, whether through force, opportunity, succession, or other circumstances. The book serves as a remarkable testament to these women who ruled the world despite significant barriers in a system designed to stifle their power and agency.
The book follows a thematic rather than a traditional chronological structure. Themes covered include assumption of power through opportunity, child queens, rulers who maintained power through mythmaking and propaganda, colonial rulers, and modern queens. Readers will recognize historical juggernauts such as Cleopatra VII, Elizabeth I of England, and Catherine the Great. But Elizabeth also includes lesser-known queens - particularly of indigenous and/or non-Western European origins - such as Teri’imaevarua II of Bora Bora, Tamar of Georgia, and Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i.
The book is, simply, a masterpiece. Elizabeth doesn't simply summarize each ruler with surface-level facts. She delves deeply into each theme and intermingles her characters’ stories, painting them without the oft-rosy-lensed glow of some history authors. She instead draws attention to how individual personality traits, internal and external circumstances, and defining factors in a reign both helped and hindered a ruler’s success.
Elizabeth’s criteria for which leaders to include deserves particular acclaim. She limits her scope to women who appeared as heads of state - as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary - within a monarchy. She includes queens regnant, empresses, and pharaohs, but not regents, queen mothers, or powerful queen consorts in Women Who Ruled the World. The limiting scope admittedly reduces the number of women eligible, but it also allows for a much more concise and clear-eyed examination by tightening the facets through which we view them. Expanding the scope could easily bloat the narrative and lessen the impact of this otherwise remarkable book.
Some readers have disliked the book’s thematic structure, finding it complex and jarring. A fair concern, to be sure. But history is full of connections, and Elizabeth encourages readers to explore these stories to build a more complete understanding of women rulers. A chronological narrative would highlight how women rulers changed over time. A thematic structure, however, offers some more universal lessons to be learned, and Elizabeth accomplishes this without overt generalization.
From Matilda of England and Zenobia of Palmyra to Wu Zetian and Ranavalona I of Madagascar, Elizabeth Norton’s ambitious work Women Who Ruled the World covers five millennia of human history. Elizabeth brings her encyclopedic knowledge and research to the fore, offering readers a detailed look into women who fought against political and societal strictures to build for themselves and their people better lives.
The deepest of thank yous to Elizabeth for providing me an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
The book follows a thematic rather than a traditional chronological structure. Themes covered include assumption of power through opportunity, child queens, rulers who maintained power through mythmaking and propaganda, colonial rulers, and modern queens. Readers will recognize historical juggernauts such as Cleopatra VII, Elizabeth I of England, and Catherine the Great. But Elizabeth also includes lesser-known queens - particularly of indigenous and/or non-Western European origins - such as Teri’imaevarua II of Bora Bora, Tamar of Georgia, and Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i.
The book is, simply, a masterpiece. Elizabeth doesn't simply summarize each ruler with surface-level facts. She delves deeply into each theme and intermingles her characters’ stories, painting them without the oft-rosy-lensed glow of some history authors. She instead draws attention to how individual personality traits, internal and external circumstances, and defining factors in a reign both helped and hindered a ruler’s success.
Elizabeth’s criteria for which leaders to include deserves particular acclaim. She limits her scope to women who appeared as heads of state - as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary - within a monarchy. She includes queens regnant, empresses, and pharaohs, but not regents, queen mothers, or powerful queen consorts in Women Who Ruled the World. The limiting scope admittedly reduces the number of women eligible, but it also allows for a much more concise and clear-eyed examination by tightening the facets through which we view them. Expanding the scope could easily bloat the narrative and lessen the impact of this otherwise remarkable book.
Some readers have disliked the book’s thematic structure, finding it complex and jarring. A fair concern, to be sure. But history is full of connections, and Elizabeth encourages readers to explore these stories to build a more complete understanding of women rulers. A chronological narrative would highlight how women rulers changed over time. A thematic structure, however, offers some more universal lessons to be learned, and Elizabeth accomplishes this without overt generalization.
From Matilda of England and Zenobia of Palmyra to Wu Zetian and Ranavalona I of Madagascar, Elizabeth Norton’s ambitious work Women Who Ruled the World covers five millennia of human history. Elizabeth brings her encyclopedic knowledge and research to the fore, offering readers a detailed look into women who fought against political and societal strictures to build for themselves and their people better lives.
The deepest of thank yous to Elizabeth for providing me an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!
October 14, 2025
This is really interesting and very light. The author explains clearly and thoroughly why each monarch was chosen and why some famous monarchs were not included. Each section covers a theme and rulers from all over the world and all throughout history who fall into that theme are covered in that chapter. At first I found this somewhat distracting. It felt like the author was introducing an Egyptian ruler than jumping to a much later European ruler. After I understand how the chapters were laid out and the book was structured, I kind of enjoyed it. The book seemed to draw parallels between women of very different eras, backgrounds, etc and draw common links between their societies. This was easily my favorite aspect of this novel. People are people, no matter time, place, gods worshiped or languages spoken.
The only real criticism I have of this is the author's treatment of currently colonized lands where the rulers intersected with European colonialism. The author tended to pass racist mythology as if the impacted indigenous peoples involved hadn't already spoken on this issue. I found the coverage of Cortez in what is now Mexico to have an extremely colonialist tone. If the colonizers were the ruler being highlighted I could almost understand this approach. However the ruler being discussed was indigenous so the history told should've been from her point of view. It's not okay to include what is understood today to clearly be racist myths created by guilty colonizers in history books published today. This was egregious and a blatant support of white supremacist fascism in a time when it's already being dangerously normalized.
This audiobook is narrated by Elizabeth Norton. I always appreciate when authors read nonfiction historical books themselves. I like to hear for myself what words the author emphasizes on their own voice. That said, I found this author's voice grating. I think a professional narrator may have been a better choice.
Thank you to Elizabeth Norton, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
The only real criticism I have of this is the author's treatment of currently colonized lands where the rulers intersected with European colonialism. The author tended to pass racist mythology as if the impacted indigenous peoples involved hadn't already spoken on this issue. I found the coverage of Cortez in what is now Mexico to have an extremely colonialist tone. If the colonizers were the ruler being highlighted I could almost understand this approach. However the ruler being discussed was indigenous so the history told should've been from her point of view. It's not okay to include what is understood today to clearly be racist myths created by guilty colonizers in history books published today. This was egregious and a blatant support of white supremacist fascism in a time when it's already being dangerously normalized.
This audiobook is narrated by Elizabeth Norton. I always appreciate when authors read nonfiction historical books themselves. I like to hear for myself what words the author emphasizes on their own voice. That said, I found this author's voice grating. I think a professional narrator may have been a better choice.
Thank you to Elizabeth Norton, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
November 18, 2025
Women Who Ruled the World is a sort of funky history book - not that it's not involved and detailed (it is!) but it groups the leaders we are to learn about more thematically than chronologically, which I quite liked-- examples being child queens (queens that started rule pre-adulthood), queens during the colonial and empirical era, etc. Not only that, but unlike similarly styled books (an example that comes to mind is Bad Gays, which I liked a lot, BUT), Norton takes us around the world and doesn't center primarily on Europe, which, unfortunately, is refreshing. I learned a lot, I got mad (again) (as always) about colonialism (especially re: Hawai'i) and capitalism and men and my own country as the afterword sure very glaringly brings up the lack of a US woman leader but this was an enjoyable and informative listen.
The only thing that stood out to me in a negative way is that there are some EGREGIOUS pronunciation issues, and it makes me worry that, for the names and places I knew were pronounced in a way that I would have never imagined (example: Kyoto = Kai-yoh-toe ??), the place and names I'm much less familiar with were also pronounced in such a way that would make them unrecognizable. I really liked Norton's voice and cadence actually, so the mispronunciations were SO jarring, especially as she is also the author.
Thank you to Tantor Media/Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the ALC for review!
The only thing that stood out to me in a negative way is that there are some EGREGIOUS pronunciation issues, and it makes me worry that, for the names and places I knew were pronounced in a way that I would have never imagined (example: Kyoto = Kai-yoh-toe ??), the place and names I'm much less familiar with were also pronounced in such a way that would make them unrecognizable. I really liked Norton's voice and cadence actually, so the mispronunciations were SO jarring, especially as she is also the author.
Thank you to Tantor Media/Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the ALC for review!
October 7, 2025
I loved this book so much. I know a lot about English queens, but less about global examples and was really keen to find out more. The book looks at the world history of reigning queens and it really does go back 5000 years. I hadn't heard about a lot of the queens included, such as Merneith or Ranavalona. Others I knew about, such as Elizabeth I, but it was really interesting to see her compared to Wu Zetian of China. They both used propaganda as a way of asserting their rules and I thought it was really interesting to see two very different women taking similar approaches.
I particularly liked the chapters on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I was actually surprised at how much contact the queens had between each other. I hadn't heard of the Hawaiian queen before and I had no idea that she had actually visited Queen Victoria in London. I also loved learning about the Begums of Bhopal. I hadn't heard of them either.
I honestly don't think there is another book like this available. It's just so fascinating and I also think it is really important that we can see these powerful examples of female rulers. I absolutely loved this. It's also really clearly written. I think it's the best book that I've read all year.
I particularly liked the chapters on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I was actually surprised at how much contact the queens had between each other. I hadn't heard of the Hawaiian queen before and I had no idea that she had actually visited Queen Victoria in London. I also loved learning about the Begums of Bhopal. I hadn't heard of them either.
I honestly don't think there is another book like this available. It's just so fascinating and I also think it is really important that we can see these powerful examples of female rulers. I absolutely loved this. It's also really clearly written. I think it's the best book that I've read all year.
October 14, 2025
4.5 Star Review – Women Who Ruled the World by Elizabeth Norton
Women Who Ruled the World by Elizabeth Norton is a fascinating and empowering look at powerful female rulers throughout history. Norton does an excellent job of bringing these women to life, from ancient queens to modern monarchs, highlighting their intelligence, political skill, and resilience in a world that often tried to silence or overshadow them.
The book is well-researched and engaging, blending historical detail with compelling storytelling. I especially appreciated how Norton presented each woman as complex and human—showing not just their triumphs, but also the challenges and controversies they faced.
It’s both educational and inspiring, offering a refreshing perspective on history through the lens of women’s leadership and influence.
Overall, Women Who Ruled the World is a beautifully written and insightful read that celebrates the strength and legacy of women who shaped history. A must-read for anyone who enjoys history, biography, or stories of extraordinary women.
I received this audiobook as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Women Who Ruled the World by Elizabeth Norton is a fascinating and empowering look at powerful female rulers throughout history. Norton does an excellent job of bringing these women to life, from ancient queens to modern monarchs, highlighting their intelligence, political skill, and resilience in a world that often tried to silence or overshadow them.
The book is well-researched and engaging, blending historical detail with compelling storytelling. I especially appreciated how Norton presented each woman as complex and human—showing not just their triumphs, but also the challenges and controversies they faced.
It’s both educational and inspiring, offering a refreshing perspective on history through the lens of women’s leadership and influence.
Overall, Women Who Ruled the World is a beautifully written and insightful read that celebrates the strength and legacy of women who shaped history. A must-read for anyone who enjoys history, biography, or stories of extraordinary women.
I received this audiobook as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 21, 2025
Women Who Ruled the World is packed with information — a seriously dense read that history lovers will appreciate. It’s amazing how much the author fits into just 352 pages, covering queens from all over the world and across centuries. It’s ambitious, and sometimes a bit heavy, but never dull.
What makes the book really interesting is its structure. Instead of going in chronological order, each chapter focuses on a theme — like warrior queens, child queens, or those who had to battle male relatives for power. This approach keeps things fresh and lets you see surprising connections between women who ruled in totally different times and places.
Overall, it’s a fascinating, info-rich read that shines a light on powerful women who don’t always get the attention they deserve. I had to DNF at 50% because it was too overwhelming for me but I'm sure history lovers will very much appreciate this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
What makes the book really interesting is its structure. Instead of going in chronological order, each chapter focuses on a theme — like warrior queens, child queens, or those who had to battle male relatives for power. This approach keeps things fresh and lets you see surprising connections between women who ruled in totally different times and places.
Overall, it’s a fascinating, info-rich read that shines a light on powerful women who don’t always get the attention they deserve. I had to DNF at 50% because it was too overwhelming for me but I'm sure history lovers will very much appreciate this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
January 11, 2026
Women Who Ruled the World is a fascinating work of nonfiction that explores the lives of various queen regnants throughout history and throughout the continents. It reads like a collection of various vignettes of these women and their fascinating lives. I especially appreciated the categorizing these women into various chapters by commonalities in biography of reign such as child queens or those who took the throne through conquest or coup. This I found more digestible and made the various queens stand out more than if it had been done chronologically just listing one queen after another with a brief biography. This way the queens can be related to each other while also allowing them all to feel a bit more distinctive. Overall, this is an easy to read and interesting novel about the various women who ruled. I especially think this could be useful as an introduction to these women and a jumping off point to then find a more in-depth biography of any of the queen who had piqued an interest.
Thank You to NetGalley and Tantor Media for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank You to NetGalley and Tantor Media for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
This book looks at women who ruled in their own right, so basically heads of state. I was actually surprised by how little I knew about many of them. Even for Cleopatra there were surprises.
Chapters mix up the queens and look at them by topics, which I found really fresh and interesting so, chapter 1 looks at queens who are not called queens for various reasons and it includes Merneith, who feigned 5000 years ago in Egypt, Empress Matilda, Margrete I of Denmark and Tecuichpotzin of Mexico. I’ve never seen a book do this before and it was so interesting. You can really see the similarities.
The author has clearly done so much research, it’s actually amazing. I’m kind of in awe. I’ve also heard her on a couple of podcasts and it’s so impressive the knowledge she has. I learned so much from this.
I definitely recommend it.
Chapters mix up the queens and look at them by topics, which I found really fresh and interesting so, chapter 1 looks at queens who are not called queens for various reasons and it includes Merneith, who feigned 5000 years ago in Egypt, Empress Matilda, Margrete I of Denmark and Tecuichpotzin of Mexico. I’ve never seen a book do this before and it was so interesting. You can really see the similarities.
The author has clearly done so much research, it’s actually amazing. I’m kind of in awe. I’ve also heard her on a couple of podcasts and it’s so impressive the knowledge she has. I learned so much from this.
I definitely recommend it.
November 5, 2025
This is a really good overview of queenship from ancient times to modern, and I loved being able to learn about women rulers who I'd never heard of or only vaguely heard of, as well as the fact that Norton went beyond Europe to cover instances of queenship in Africa, Asia, South America, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Honestly, I think this could have been longer and more in-depth and I still would have enjoyed it immensely. However, points lost for the audiobook: kudos to the author for narrating it herself, but it seems like there was no audio editing or further takes made, there were points where the author seemed to be struggling a little, and at one point she lost track of a sentence and actually said sorry before continuing reading, which was honestly very jarring. Loved the cotent though so four stars.
October 5, 2025
This was really full of so much information about so many different iconic women throughout history.
I liked that some of the women talked about were super well-known and others I really didn't know all that much about. There really is just so much information in this book.
My only problem with this book was how dense it felt. I listened to the audiobook and still felt like it was quite dense. I've learned that I like really conversational and casual non-fiction. I find it easier to digest.
I think any history nerd will really love this book. I just recommend reading it (or listening to it) in small chunks so that you can really absorb that information and not feel overloaded.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I liked that some of the women talked about were super well-known and others I really didn't know all that much about. There really is just so much information in this book.
My only problem with this book was how dense it felt. I listened to the audiobook and still felt like it was quite dense. I've learned that I like really conversational and casual non-fiction. I find it easier to digest.
I think any history nerd will really love this book. I just recommend reading it (or listening to it) in small chunks so that you can really absorb that information and not feel overloaded.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
dnf-2025
October 10, 2025I am sure this author knows a lot, as this is a dense book.
Unfortunately, nothing was sticking with me. I love to listen to non fiction audiobooks. I find them a great change of pace from what I typically read, and I often find myself preferring non fiction.
However, this book felt too surface level. It felt like the author was just listing events, rather than sharing them with us, and it didn’t hold my attention. The author jumps around from historical event to historical event without much of an internal thread, and it was hard to care.
I did end up DNFing it. Life is too short to read books you don’t care about. If I end up wanting to go back and finish it, I will update my review.
Thank you NetGalley for this ALC.
Unfortunately, nothing was sticking with me. I love to listen to non fiction audiobooks. I find them a great change of pace from what I typically read, and I often find myself preferring non fiction.
However, this book felt too surface level. It felt like the author was just listing events, rather than sharing them with us, and it didn’t hold my attention. The author jumps around from historical event to historical event without much of an internal thread, and it was hard to care.
I did end up DNFing it. Life is too short to read books you don’t care about. If I end up wanting to go back and finish it, I will update my review.
Thank you NetGalley for this ALC.
October 22, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I thought that this book was pretty engaging with a large amount of interesting information on the cirmstances of each queen looked at in this text. I found each section to be interesting. It really encompasses a large span of time. There are also a lot of women that are focused on in this book. There are both widely known and lesser known queens discussed in this book which I really appreciated. I also liked getting that look into their lives and what made these women. I alos thought the narrator did a great job with this book and was really engaging to listen to.
I thought that this book was pretty engaging with a large amount of interesting information on the cirmstances of each queen looked at in this text. I found each section to be interesting. It really encompasses a large span of time. There are also a lot of women that are focused on in this book. There are both widely known and lesser known queens discussed in this book which I really appreciated. I also liked getting that look into their lives and what made these women. I alos thought the narrator did a great job with this book and was really engaging to listen to.
October 10, 2025
4/5⭐️ via audiobook
“Female kings have always been a rarity, an oddity, or an undesirable outcome. In almost all places on the globe a male ruler was preferred to a woman, with female inheritance vanishingly rare and frequently disputed. In spite of this, women have secured crowns - or fought for them - over several millennia.”
This was a good history book. It does have a ton of information in it, so if you love history this book is for you!
I want to mention that the author did a great job reading her book.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Female kings have always been a rarity, an oddity, or an undesirable outcome. In almost all places on the globe a male ruler was preferred to a woman, with female inheritance vanishingly rare and frequently disputed. In spite of this, women have secured crowns - or fought for them - over several millennia.”
This was a good history book. It does have a ton of information in it, so if you love history this book is for you!
I want to mention that the author did a great job reading her book.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 22, 2025
I love this author, and this was well researched but incredibly difficult to follow. Agree with other reviews that the way it was organised and formatted made it confusing and difficult to keep apace with the point the author was trying to make chapter by chapter.
Perhaps better editing or treating the queens chronologically by preferred theme would have helped? I don't know...I learned some new things but think I may have taken so much more from the research if it had been presented in a different way. Disappointed.
Perhaps better editing or treating the queens chronologically by preferred theme would have helped? I don't know...I learned some new things but think I may have taken so much more from the research if it had been presented in a different way. Disappointed.
November 7, 2025
I admire the research that went into this book so much; there are so many queens and details about them! I'm DNF'ing this book at 53% because I realize I am not retaining anything due to how my own brain processes information: the way things aren't organized by date/place and keep jumping back and forth in time keeps me at a loss. I was listening to the audiobook, maybe it would've worked better for me in a printed format.
Thank you, Netgalley and Tantor Media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you, Netgalley and Tantor Media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 14, 2025
This is a great book. I liked the fact that it is global and that it covers such a long period of history. It really brings out the parallels between different places and times. It’s kind of depressing how bad things often were for female rulers.
I really enjoyed listening to this. I like the fact that the author reads her own book. It felt really authentic. It’s especially important to have a female voice for such an important book. I would definitely recommend this.
I really enjoyed listening to this. I like the fact that the author reads her own book. It felt really authentic. It’s especially important to have a female voice for such an important book. I would definitely recommend this.
March 25, 2026
An interesting and important subject, but not the best written book. It felt a lot like a bunch of social media posts about history and queenship tied together—each chapter was about a few select queens, but the author would jump back and forth from one to another so quickly, and sometimes also jump into bits about completely different queens or politicians, that the book never flowed well for me.
October 13, 2025
This was a great review of monarchies from a variety of geographic locations and times, and was very well researched. The author has clearly done her footwork and this is a great launch pad for someone like me interested in the margins of history. I did find the work a bit dry, but easy to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley for provided a free audio eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for provided a free audio eARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 13, 2025
I recommend this book to everyone, it was so good. There was such a lot of detail about queens I had heard of and queens that I hadn’t. I love the way that Norton weaves their stories into each other. The structure is so clever. It’s definitely a book that you need to concentrate on, but that’s because there is so much new information. I honestly would recommend this to anyone.
October 14, 2025
Really good. Liked listening to this and learned a lot. I liked the section on the Mexica the best. They didn’t have a writing system before the Spanish conquest, but Norton uses works written by Mexica writers to tell the story of their queens, which is good to see. It was a really positive and comprehensive portrayal. I liked the other sections too.
October 23, 2025
Great book, great author. I wasn’t disappointed. I like the way it’s set out thematically and I learned so much. I loved the way that the queens are almost talking to each other in the way it’s set out.
May 4, 2026
I loved this. So interesting. I loved how different queens are compared and contrasted. I really liked the chapter comparing Wu Zetian and Elizabeth I. First rate stuff. This is the best book I’ve read about royal women in history.
October 12, 2025
This review is spot on - i couldn’t say it better
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks netgalley.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks netgalley.
October 14, 2025
Great book. I really liked the sections on Cleopatra and Zenobia.
October 23, 2025
I like this a lot. It was good to hear about lease famous queens. I think it is a very good book.
October 29, 2025
I thought this was really interesting. Especially the queens further back in time. I didn’t know there were queens right at the start of written history.
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