You Wouldn't Want To Be Cleopatra

Author: Pipe, Jim

History & the past: general interest (Children's / Teenage)

Published on 12 February 2026 by Bonnier Books Ltd (Hatch) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 32 pages
211 x 240 x 4 | 150g

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Think ruling Egypt will be all golden crowns and banquets? Think again! Step into the sandals of Cleopatra VII and discover the dangers of being queen in a world of assassins, Roman generals, political plots, and deadly snakes. From her lavish royal upbringing to her fateful encounters with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, this witty and accessible guide follows Cleopatra's life from the glittering palaces of Alexandria to her dramatic final act.

Told in the trademark You Wouldn't Want to Be second-person style, with David Antram's brilliantly irreverent illustrations, this book combines fascinating facts, first-person humour, and lively comic panels to bring ancient history to life for reluctant and confident readers alike. Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, it offers a fresh look at one of history's most legendary rulers - revealing the not-so-glamorous reality of ancient power.