African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa's Royal Women

World history and its major players feature in fall nonfiction titles. Joyce Hansen details the lives of a half-dozen prominent women in African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa's Royal Women, illus. by Laurie McGraw: the Egyptian Hatshepsut and the modern Elizabeth of Toro, among others. Hansen investigates these women's struggles-invading Portuguese forces in the 15th century, in the case of Njinga of Matamba, and the 19th-century ascent of Tata Ajach of Dahomey, from slave and warrior to queen. McGraw contributes full-page stately portraits of each woman, and the text brims with photos of artifacts plus period drawings. .