When We Ruled, Paula Akpan
When We Ruled, Paula Akpan
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When We Ruled
The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors

Author: Paula Akpan

Narrator: Lowena Waries

Unabridged: 14 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/12/2025


Synopsis

Njinga Mbande. Nana Yaa Asantewaa. Makobo Modjadji VI. Ranavalona the First.

These queens and warriors ruled vast swathes of the African continent, where they led, loved, and fought for their kingdoms and people. Their impact can still be felt today, and yet, beyond the lands they called home, so few of us have ever heard their names.

In When We Ruled, historian Paula Akpan takes us into the worlds of these powerful figures, following their stories and how they came to rule and influence the futures of their people. Through deep research and discovery, Akpan will uncover new truths and grapple with uncomfortable realities, allowing us to be immersed in countless moments of bravery, intrigue, and, for some, the unravelling of their rule.

With reigns spanning from pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich lands of Rwanda, and from Ancient Egypt to apartheid South Africa, these rulers shed a new light on gender politics in these regions, showing how women were celebrated and revered before colonizing powers took hold, and continue to be long after.

In this game-changing narrative of twelve lives, Akpan takes us on a spellbinding, enrapturing, and immersive history that is nothing short of revelatory.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Brendan on July 10, 2025

Paula Akpan totally called me out in the conclusion of her excellent When We Ruled. Okay, not me specifically, but people like me. She says that she hopes those who were looking for a "straight-forward" history (me! That's me!) realized that such a thing for the characters her book was impossible. I......more

Goodreads review by Balthazarinblue on June 26, 2025

Here you will find warrior queens, dynastic queens, martyr queens. Queens who live in seclusion, and queens who were sought out, far and wide, for their wise counsel. Queens who fought for their sons to rule. Queens who consolidated power in their own names. Here are queens whose lands were eaten aw......more

Goodreads review by lucy on May 09, 2025

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 to give larger insights into womanhood, sexuality and colonialism. I was in awe of the depth and detail this book holds, and the way that Paula......more

Goodreads review by Angelina on August 08, 2025

Overall, I loved it and would recommend. I love the perspective, the style, and the whole process that Akpan went through to collect data, both historical and modern-day. I really didn't expect to have the modern-day affiliations as part of the historical journey of these African women, which really......more

Goodreads review by l bagnall on July 19, 2025

Personally, I found it a bit more academic and historical than I usually enjoy, and I struggled to stay fully engaged. However, I appreciated the effort Akpan puts into making these histories accessible, especially with modern reflections woven in. The book does a great job of highlighting African l......more