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

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)

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.