I love books about incredible women who are not normally talked about and this book was no exception.

It was really nicely laid out and I learnt about a lot of women I previously had never heard of

Fresh from fame as a TikTokker known for her impressions of a bored Scottish Tour Guide, Eleanor Morton's debut takes us on a whistle stop tour of historical women and the lessons we can learn from them. The book includes a mix of well and lesser-known characters and is written with the trademark humour you would expect.

I read an ARC of this - thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

I am a big fan of Morton's although it seems odd (rude even) that anyone twenty years younger than me can be old ebough to have a career. Anyway, if you've never seen any of her sketches on the internet, seek them out. Craig the Tour Guide is maybe the best known but I really love her history/literature stuff - Jane Austen reading her Hate Mail, 1920's Mean Girls etc. She is very funny.

This book is a reasonably light but thoughtful dash through the lives of various 'historical women' from Junko Tabei and Josephine Baker to Angela Morley and Judith Kerr by way of Artemesia Gentileschi, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bernadette Devlin. Some of these people I've read about before (in books about historical women, natch) and some I hadn't. It's entertaining, funny in places and I learned some things. It would make a good gift for a teenager, I think, and that's not a dismissive comment - it's full of enough detail to make you want to know more, and there's a good bibliography.

There were a number of typos - some unfortunate - but I assume they were probably picked up in the final round of proofing. (The index is missing so the ARC obviously went out when there was a fair bit of work still to do.)

Eleanor Morton’s Life Lessons From Historical Women is an inspiring and insightful collection that celebrates the remarkable achievements of women throughout history. Morton brings these often-overlooked figures to life with engaging storytelling, highlighting their resilience, courage, and wisdom. Each chapter offers a blend of historical context and practical lessons, showing how the challenges these women faced can provide valuable guidance in today’s world. The book is both educational and empowering, making history accessible and relevant. Life Lessons From Historical Women is a must-read for anyone looking to draw strength and inspiration from the past.

At last I’ve got the history book I’ve been waiting for! Really enjoyed reading this book and loved the humour in it! It was written at the perfect level and tone for me - I feel more knowledgeable and I had a laugh along the way!
What a selection of inspirational women Eleanor has chosen too! As a runner myself I particularly enjoyed reading about Bobbi Gibb although I could never run the 40 miles a day that she did for training!! I don’t even drive that far in a day!
This book has left me very inspired and grateful to a lot of these women. Thanks Eleanor! Looking forward to future books!

5 stars
L-O-V-E-D this book!
Life Lessons is a light-hearted romp through the lives of 10 significant female figures from history. The strength of the book lies in the presentation of these lives, which is engaging and entertaining – quite some feat given the challenges they faced.
I knew I was going to like the book when talking about the Match Girl protests in 1888. Ms Morton described the poverty they faced: “ What held the people of the East End together, despite it all, was their community spirit, still famous today in documentaries like EastEnders.”
Some of the women are household names, such as Pocohontas and Mary Queen of Scots, but even then the author manages to bring a fresh slant and fascinating facts to the party. For example, I didn’t realise that the Queen of Scots ruled the people, not the land, hence why she wasn’t titled Queen of Scotland.
My personal favourites were the Match Girls, and the suffragist Emily Davison, but there were also women that were new to me such as the artist Artemisia Gentileschi, Ada Lovelace (19th century wife linked to prototype computors), Angela Morely, and the less known childhood of Judith Kerr (yes, of The Tiger Who Came to Tea fame.)
Heartily recommended for anyone who wants to be better informed about influential women from the past but who don’t want it rammed down their throat.
ARC supplied in exchanged for an honest, unbiased review.

Wow, this is a hell of a book. Having finished it, I would quite like to thrust a copy into the hands of every woman I know. It’s often funny and always inspirational. I particularly enjoyed the fact that it featured women from all walks of life, to provide a well rounded reading experience. My favourite had to be Stormé De Larverie’s chapter but I was hard to choose as they are all fascinating. I learned a lot. The way the author drew parallels to modern life was really effective and thought provoking. It was a great idea to include short snappy lists at the end most chapters too. I genuinely think this is a book everyone should read once in their life, but it’s also one you can refer to time and again.

I do think this book would benefit from photographs or similar of each women. I’d never heard of a lot of these women and whilst I got the audiobook, I requested the ebook arc, hoping to put a face to a name. It may be that these feature in the finished copies or it’s no possible due to copyright etc. If so, please ignore this comment.

Thanks so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am very happy with the way this book was edited as a concept; non-preachy and genuinely interesting lessons (insights, really) and, engaging and rich range of topics.

The writing style was mostly humorous and I personally liked this aspect, yet some jokes fell flat and I must admit that I put the book down after reading the preface due to an anecdote about The Troubles feeling unnecessary.
Then, I came back to it, and I am glad I did. I normally do not read such books and cannot say I am interested in history as a general topic - I like specific themes and focused books or new perspectives on how history affects the present day. There were many insights by authors/women I respect, and overall, this was an informative and fun read.

I've liked Mortons Sketches and Shorts on Youtube for years, so it was a no-brainer to want to read her first published book. Unfortunately, I once again discovered that public figures that are talented in one area do not make for good writers. Not only did I get bored pretty quickly by the
mentioned historical Figures (no one I haven't seen or heard from in similar biographies dedicated to Women), I really took issue with the Authors foreword where she for some reason thought it smart to talk about her Northern Irish grandmothers and trivialized the entire Northern Irish Troubles in a few pages, a conflict she obviously does not have a deep understanding of. Just offputting.

I am not a historian... I am just another history nerd who wanted to write the kind of book I wanted to read 


This is what the author tells us at the very beginning of this book and I am so glad she did write it because it's exactly the kind of history book I want to read too.

Eleanor Morton's style of writing makes history fun and accessible, with lots of comedy sprinkled throughout, yet it doesn't feel dumbed down either.
She brings each of her subjects back to life with her thorough research, witty and informative storytelling and compassionate handling of some of the more sensitive issues.

What is also refreshing about this book is instead of taking the same old women from history that have millions of biographies already written about them, Eleanor has decided to mainly focus on women that, perhaps, we don't already know too much about but deserve to have their story told and celebrated.

I also want to applaud the author for adding context to explain why these women faced obstacles in their own lifetime but also, seamlessly, highlighting why these stories are still relevant today and what we can learn from them to try and make the world a better place for tomorrow.


I was provided with ARCs of both the audiobook and the ebook, and w the author's voice and humour translates well in the written version, I will be recommending people to listen to the audiobook just to hear the hilarious Eleanor Morton deliver her style of comedy outloud)

ARC Review: *Life Lessons From Historical Women* by Eleanor Morton

Rating: 5/5🌟

*Life Lessons From Historical Women* by Eleanor Morton is an empowering and enlightening book that beautifully celebrates the lives and achievements of women throughout history. Morton's unique approach to intertwining historical narratives with modern self-help wisdom makes this book a compelling and inspiring read for anyone interested in the significant contributions of women who have shaped our world.

Morton masterfully blends humor with heartfelt respect as she explores the lives of various women from different eras and regions. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific lesson drawn from a historical figure, making the book both educational and motivational. The diverse range of women featured ensures that readers gain insights into various aspects of the female experience and the universal themes of resilience, creativity, and defiance.

For instance, the chapter on "How To Thrive" with Judith Kerr offers a poignant look at overcoming adversity and finding joy in creativity. Morton’s discussion on Mary Seacole in "Think Like an Entrepreneur" showcases the power of ingenuity and determination in the face of obstacles. Meanwhile, "How Not to Give a Fuck" with Emily Davison provides a humorous yet profound lesson on courage and conviction.

One of the standout features of this book is Morton's ability to make historical lessons relevant to modern readers without resorting to pseudo-psychology or judgment. Her writing style is engaging, making the stories of these remarkable women accessible and relatable. The anecdotes are well-researched and thoughtfully presented, highlighting the enduring impact of these women's actions on our contemporary lives.

Additionally, Morton includes delightful and unexpected insights, such as the significance of pockets in women's clothing, which adds a touch of whimsy and underscores the practical wisdom passed down through generations.

*Life Lessons From Historical Women* is more than just a collection of biographies; it’s a tribute to the indomitable spirit of women who have defied societal norms and paved the way for future generations. The book serves as a reminder of the strength and ingenuity inherent in women, encouraging readers to draw inspiration from their forebears to navigate their own lives with purpose and confidence.

In conclusion, Eleanor Morton's *Life Lessons From Historical Women* is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance from the past. Her blend of humor, historical depth, and practical wisdom makes this book a standout in the self-help genre. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of strong female narratives, or simply looking for some encouragement, this book will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered.


Highly recommended for readers of all ages and backgrounds who want to celebrate the achievements of women and learn valuable life lessons from their stories.

I really enjoyed this exploration of stories from women - some well known, some who have been all but written out of history, the audiobook is also narrated by the author, and is well worth a listen. The introduction with the story of Eleanor's grandmother sets the scene for these radical women, and each are beautifully researched stories with detailed insight into their lives. I'd recommend this to anyone, you're sure to learn a lot and enjoy this! The story of the Japanese mountaineer was possibly my favourite, what an achievement.

What a fun way to learn about historical woman in this fun guide! I know it will inspire and be a great teacher to so many readers wanting to know about some of the outstanding historical woman of our time