Katherine Pangonis

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Book cover of Queens of Jerusalem: The Women Who Dared to Rule by Katherine Pangonis

Queens of Jerusalem

The Women Who Dared to Rule · Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2021

Queens of Jerusalem is my debut work exploring the lives of ruling women in the world of the medieval Middle East. Over the course of this book I tell the stories of Morphia of Melitene, Alice of Antioch, Melisende of Jerusalem, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Agnes of Courtenay and Sibylla of Jerusalem. I compare their roles with those played by the wife of Saladin, and the Damascene Queen Zummurud. These women constituted an extraordinary dynasty of female rulers, who have too often been overlooked in literature. Queens of Jerusalem is currently in development for scripted TV drama with Amazon Studios. It is available in English, Turkish, Mandarin and Serbian - with several other translations underway.

“…the effort is worthwhile, adding depth and unexpected detail to the understanding of the past.”

The Economist — full review

“Breathtaking. The pace never lags. Pangonis is impeccably true to the reality of the time and place.”

The Wall Street Journal — full review

“Beautifully constructed, highly intelligent, perceptive, humane and empathetic, this wonderful book turns the forgotten women rulers of Jerusalem from powerless broodmares into complex actors with agency, ingenuity and fascinating lives.”

William Dalrymple

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Twilight Cities

Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean · Somerset Maugham Award 2024

My second book, Twilight Cities, was awarded the 2024 Somerset Maugham Prize. It blends on the ground experiences with in depth historical research and examines the histories of five of the most important cities of the ancient world, from their splendour in antiquity to their comparatively modest twilight. Using Tyre, Carthage, Syracuse, Ravenna and Antioch as case studies, this book charts the transformation of the Mediterranean Region throughout history. I also examine the effects of the recent earthquakes on the identity and cultural heritage of Antakya. It was published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on July 6th 2023, and was selected as non-fiction book of the month by Hatchard's.

“Pangonis has a talent for grasping what is important in a complex series of events and navigating a confident path through the sources.”

The Telegraph — full review

“Pangonis's combination of familiar and unfamiliar places is one of the great attractions of the book.”

The Spectator — full review
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Book cover of Twilight Cities: Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean by Katherine Pangonis
Book cover of A History of France in 21 Women by Katherine Pangonis

A History of France in 21 Women

Oneworld Publications · 5 March 2026

From Eleanor of Aquitaine to Edith Piaf, Colette to Coco Chanel — the lives of 21 women who made French history.

Unveiling the lives of twenty-one women who changed the course of French history, Katherine Pangonis spins a new history of France from the fifth century to the present day. Trace the rise of Eleanor of Aquitaine from teenage bride to the most powerful woman in medieval Europe; follow Berthe Morisot as she infiltrates art's biggest boy's club — the Impressionists; and discover how two of the twentieth century's great fashion icons — Coco Chanel and Josephine Baker — found themselves spying for opposite sides during World War Two. Fresh, funny and unapologetically feminist, A History of France in 21 Women reveals France as never before.

“Fascinating, gripping, vividly detailed, this is a wonderful book full of unforgettable lives.”

Kate Williams, author of Becoming Queen

“Beautifully written and razor-sharp, Pangonis once again brings to life lost stories from our past, combining academic excellence with thrilling storytelling. The result is masterful.”

Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen

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