'Warrior Queens...' is my new encyclopedia of women to research in more detail. So many women are described, and from a wide range of professions and reasons why we (sort of - just!) still know of them.
It's a great starting point for, firstly, bringing home just how many women's achievements are both unintentionally and purposefully forgotten, and second, for finding women to read up on and find inspiration and reassurance from. Women are not deviations from the 'standard', despite what written history may suggest.

A thorough and intersectional dedication to women throughout history who have succeeded in changing the world and yet there remains little, if any, recognition left of their phenomenal paths. From botanists, explorers, warriors and poets to Abolitionists, scientists, physicians, inventors and martyrs, and so many more, the contribution of literally hundreds of women throughout time and across the globe is meticulously researched and recorded by Mosse in this wonderful collection. I particularly enjoyed how her own family history was interwoven within each section, detailing the efforts made to unearth & connect with her great- grandmother who was also an author and revealing tragic secrets and an enduring love story through many letters and remnants of family archives.
This is truly an amazing gift to learn the histories of these women and join the voices of those shouting to have their contributions noted and their memories preserved on an equal footing with their male counterparts and compatriots.

I’ve enjoyed fiction by Kate Moses and was intrigued by this book, her first foray into non fiction. I think it’s a triumph. It’s essentially pen portraits or mini bios of numerous women whose achievements are unrecognised. It’s an eclectic mix and I found it easy to read and absolutely fascinating as I hadn’t heard of most of them. As I’ve got older, I’ve come to understand just how much fact and history is dominated and manipulated by male voices. Babbage is generally considered the brain behind computers, with little recognition for Ada Lovelace’s work and her achievements are rarely acknowledged. We live in a patriarchal society where, despite so called equality, women are subjugated, ignored and dismissed. It’s very refreshing to find a well researched book which is inspirational, informed and challenging. This is on my Christmas list; I’m going to buy a couple of copies to give as gifts and hope that the contents will inspire others in the same way.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

Everyone should have a copy of this.

The stories of historical, inspiring, amazing figures from world history that we don't know about just because they are women. In this book are scientists, artists, politicians, religious leaders, etc (from all over the world) who have been forgotten for one reason. Kate Mosse has done an amazing job in re-discovering all these women who we should know about because of the work they have done, but don't. The first scientist to discover the 'greenhouse effect' was a woman! And, it was in the 19th century.

To me, this extra knowledge, just enriches our society. So, please read.

With thanks to NetGalley and Mantle for an ARC.

This is a very easy to read book, similar to an encyclopaedia in that there are short pieces written about each woman, but they are all linked together so it reads as prose. The book introduced me to many women I have never heard of and I enjoyed reading about them and their achievements. An awful lot of research must have gone into this book and Mosse has done these often overlooked women justice by bringing their stories to life. It made me angry to read about how many of these women’s achievements were overlooked or worse, attributed to men. Yet these women kept going and made their mark on history and that is so inspiring. Kudos to Kate Mosse for bringing these women into the spotlight and telling their stories.

Definitely a book to be read in short bursts so its contents can be fully absorbed. Read it and be inspired!

With thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

I’ve developed an interest in learning more about women from history in recent years and this book certainly hit the spot! It is chock full of amazing women from across the globe and in many different areas such as science, religion and (my personal favourite, I think) razzle dazzle. Interspersed with this array of notable women is a history of Mosse’s great grandmother, which has been gleaned through family members and written records from, and letters between, Lily and her husband, Sam. I enjoyed the personal element to this non-fiction account of different women achieving great things over the past hundreds of years, it broke up the more information heavy sections - which I loved, but can be a little overwhelming.

Mosse acknowledges there are many women left unmentioned, as there must be, but she certainly does a fantastic job of including many who have shaped the world we live in today and I found the whole thing incredibly fascinating and would desperately love to read more!

Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries is perhaps the most wide-ranging collection of inspirational women you'll ever find in one book, with over a thousand covered across the pages. I particularly liked the way Mosse structures her selection, linking the women by themes rather than historical eras. This means there is a much wider geographical scope than most similar books, and although many of the women get little more than a paragraph, it's just enough to inspire you to find out more. There were a lot of names I recognised, but many more I hadn't heard before.

Mosse also mixes the standard encyclopedic style entries with biography, telling the story of her great-grandmother, Lily Watson. It adds another dimension to this feminist history, putting her great-grandmother (and my extention, herself) in the context of history as shaped by these revolutionary women.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in history or looking for inspiration from some incredible trailblazing women.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Kate Mosse
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Histirical Non-Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 13th October 2022
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: TBC

I will have to wait for my physical copy to arrive for a proper review as I’m struggling with the eARC format.

Based on what I’ve read so far:

Mosse demonstrates an encyclopedic knowledge, bringing forgotten women back into public knowledge, based on meticulous and heavy research.

Based on this, it’s not viable to read this is one sitting, it’s more of a book that a readers comes and goes from. Mainly for the inspiration of powerful women whom, no matter how much their voices were ignored, had something to say.

🧚🏻‍♀️

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