This is an excellent history book which pulls together the oral and known history of Cleopatra. It gives a concise overview of the Ptolemy kings, covers the world in which Cleopatra lived, an overview of Alexander the Great's empire and life and for good measure the Roman empire and the men who fought for power and control of Rome and its' conquered lands. This is so much more than a biography of Cleopatra, it deals with her relationship with Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony but there is so much more to this highly readable history book.