Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 stars‘They’ll continue to fight for their rights until they have them’
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2020
Author Bill O’Neill has authored many books on Trivia and stands as somewhat of an expert in this field! His topics include movies, football, baseball, wars, rock music, simply random trivia facts and US States. Now with a nod to providing interesting reading material while passing the time at home, Bill offers a cascade of stories that provide not only a celebration of important women, but also a sense of proportion to our life as materialized by these significant people. He is joined in this book by author Rachel Walsh.
Providing an overview of the topics of interest in this book, Bill and Rachel outline their content in the Introduction – ‘Women throughout history have fought for their rights and the rights of others, defended their countries during wartime, healed the sick and wounded, invented new technologies, led countries, made inspiriting art…In the 18th and 19th centuries, many women took a passive role in society because that’s what men dictated to them. Most women during this period remained primarily in the domestic sphere, and the men who surrounded them treated them as property. But some women refused to be passive, even though that’s what society demanded of them, and took control of their freedom…’ This book underlines the impact and importance of fifteen of these significant women.
Bill and Rachel offer an outstanding set of mini-biographies of the following heroines, some well known, some perhaps unknown - Ching Shih, Florence Nightingale, Alice Paul, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Hedy Lamarr, Frida Kahlo, Huda Sha’arawi, Nancy Wake, Gertrude Bell, Henrietta Lacks, The Mirabal Sisters, Malala Yousafzai, Marie Curie, Sojourner Truth, and Billie Jean King. Each individual is honored for the public reason for which they are designated as heroines, but Bill and Rachel add significant insights into each person’s special traits in sparkling ‘Did You Know?’ sections, as well as some fine drawings of each honored woman.
These are fifteen important women, but there are so many more: hopefully Bill and Rachel will continue this series. Not only is the book entertaining – it is also very instructive. For those familiar with Bill O’Neill’s (and now Rachel Walsh’s) talent for tickling the brain, this book is a must read – one of the best. For those who are simply looking for solid entertaining reading and inspiration to while away the hours, welcome to the field experts! Highly recommended – especially during these times… Grady Harp, September 20
