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212 reviews for:
Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History
Sophia Foster-Dimino, Sam Maggs
4.04 AVERAGE
212 reviews for:
Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History
Sophia Foster-Dimino, Sam Maggs
4.04 AVERAGE
Any book devoted to shining the spotlight on the untold women who have made a difference in the world is going to catch my eye. Narrow down the focus to women who played a significant role in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and my interest only increases. Add a title that contains a nod to a kick-ass female superhero, one of my favorites when I was a little girl, and you have the makings of a book that practically demands to be read.
Wonder Women is not meant to be an inclusive biography of twenty-five women. Rather, each of their stories are brief. No longer than three to four pages in total, Ms. Maggs introduces the particular wonder woman, provides a simplified background as well as a short synopsis of her accomplishments, and mentions how each woman’s life ends. There is minimal scientific explanation and a general air of celebration about the entire collection, which makes it the perfect stepping-off point for further research of these remarkable women.
While the accomplishments are indeed amazing and practically unknown thanks to men’s penchant for writing all of the history books, it is difficult to take Wonder Womenseriously. The cover is whimsical and cute. The fonts used in the section headers are round and “girlish”. Then there is the language. Each story is more like a gossip column than an educational tool, complete with many sarcastic asides by the author. She is flippant and familiar in her storytelling, while her asides become a major distraction. Given the brevity of each woman’s story, one wishes fewer words were spent on the author’s sarcastic opinions or attempt to be culturally savvy and more words were spent on the actual woman in the spotlight.
The message that men often take credit for women’s work may be a bit heavy-handed throughout Wonder Women, but the stories of the twenty-five women are still impressive. Moreover, Ms. Maggs takes great care in providing modern examples of wonder women, those who are currently working in the STEM fields, as well as websites an interested reader can visit to learn more about the field or the person. Regardless of the inexplicable use of 1970’s and 1980’s cultural references, this would make a great selection for preteens or teenagers, any young women who may be interested in STEM fields but afraid of expressing that interest, as the examples of women scientists, inventors, adventurers, and the like are truly inspirational. In fact, these wonder women are inspirational for women of all ages.
Wonder Women is not meant to be an inclusive biography of twenty-five women. Rather, each of their stories are brief. No longer than three to four pages in total, Ms. Maggs introduces the particular wonder woman, provides a simplified background as well as a short synopsis of her accomplishments, and mentions how each woman’s life ends. There is minimal scientific explanation and a general air of celebration about the entire collection, which makes it the perfect stepping-off point for further research of these remarkable women.
While the accomplishments are indeed amazing and practically unknown thanks to men’s penchant for writing all of the history books, it is difficult to take Wonder Womenseriously. The cover is whimsical and cute. The fonts used in the section headers are round and “girlish”. Then there is the language. Each story is more like a gossip column than an educational tool, complete with many sarcastic asides by the author. She is flippant and familiar in her storytelling, while her asides become a major distraction. Given the brevity of each woman’s story, one wishes fewer words were spent on the author’s sarcastic opinions or attempt to be culturally savvy and more words were spent on the actual woman in the spotlight.
The message that men often take credit for women’s work may be a bit heavy-handed throughout Wonder Women, but the stories of the twenty-five women are still impressive. Moreover, Ms. Maggs takes great care in providing modern examples of wonder women, those who are currently working in the STEM fields, as well as websites an interested reader can visit to learn more about the field or the person. Regardless of the inexplicable use of 1970’s and 1980’s cultural references, this would make a great selection for preteens or teenagers, any young women who may be interested in STEM fields but afraid of expressing that interest, as the examples of women scientists, inventors, adventurers, and the like are truly inspirational. In fact, these wonder women are inspirational for women of all ages.
While I'm not sure I was the intended audience for this compilation of information, I think it is definitely a much-needed overview of some of history's most talented, gutsy women. A true celebration of female heroes and genius. All of these women, and countless more, need to be brought into the public sphere. Maggs did a great job of listing their accomplishments in a relatable way. I think this would be a fantastic text for ALL youth. Not just girls.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Well that was fun! Super informative, makes you want to conquer the world and especially learn more about those amazing kick ass women!
I’m without a doubt going to hunt a few biographies to delve more into the fascinating stories of those women’s lives.
I also very much want to read Florence Dixie’s fiction novel written in the late 1800s about a 1999 feminist utopia London run by ladies!
Just gimme!
So many starting points to learn about a side of history so hidden or forgotten thar deserves to be known.
And let me tell you, those ladies were more intense and kick ass you can even imagine!
I loved the style of storytelling the author used, like a buddy telling you an anecdote. I laughed more than once!
The interviews of very much alive, ass kicking women are also a good complement to make this book even more attractive and inspiring to younger (or not) readers.
I think I might indulge and get myself a physical copy!
I was the colored illustration as well as the pleasure to flip through the pages whenever I fancy ;)
Well that was fun! Super informative, makes you want to conquer the world and especially learn more about those amazing kick ass women!
I’m without a doubt going to hunt a few biographies to delve more into the fascinating stories of those women’s lives.
I also very much want to read Florence Dixie’s fiction novel written in the late 1800s about a 1999 feminist utopia London run by ladies!
Just gimme!
So many starting points to learn about a side of history so hidden or forgotten thar deserves to be known.
And let me tell you, those ladies were more intense and kick ass you can even imagine!
I loved the style of storytelling the author used, like a buddy telling you an anecdote. I laughed more than once!
The interviews of very much alive, ass kicking women are also a good complement to make this book even more attractive and inspiring to younger (or not) readers.
I think I might indulge and get myself a physical copy!
I was the colored illustration as well as the pleasure to flip through the pages whenever I fancy ;)
This book divides these awesome women into different sections. I knew some of these women and I didn't know others but it was very interesting to read about these women. Some short stories looking at some of the amazing women who changed the world.
[Lise Meitner]
"After her dramatic flight (which Otto casually attributed to- and this is another direct quote- 'these Hitler regime things'), Lise set up shop in Stockholm at the lab of a guy name Manne Siegbahn. Now Manne, unlike Good Guy Niels, hated women in the sciences (and was therefore kind of a trashbag). He refused to give Lise collaborators, equipment, tech support, or even her own set if keys to the lab, and he paid her an assistant's measly salary. (Lise would later write that in searching for 'male supporters of the higher education of women and of their professional equality with men, then it is remarkable how few men of general reputation we find.' No kidding.) Despite these setbacks (and the misery and loneliness that accompanied fleeing her homeland), Lise continued to work, writing back and forth with Otto about a little things she had been considering: how to split the nuclear atom into smaller parts, also known as nuclear fission"(p. 27).
[Elizabeth & Emily Blackwell]
"Apparently, the medical school faculties were equal parts afraid that she, as a woman, would be far too stupid to be a doctor, running all the men out of their jobs. Ultimately, Elizabeth received a conditional offer from Geneva Medical College (now Hobart) in the upstate New York. The school agreed to put her admission to a vote, and if even one of her 150 male classmates said no, she would not be admitted. Luckily, they all thought it was a hilarious joke being played by a rival college (seriously!), and every one of them voted yes. All joking stopped shortly thereafter when Elizabeth marched in to class"(p. 57).
[Annie Smith Peck]
"Her brother tried to argue that she was too talented to be stifled by college (what?), to which Annie responded: 'Dare you say that out loud? What if you applied it to a young man? Are you crazy?' (Direct quote, no joke!) Her father told her he would not fund her education, prompting Annie to point out that she would need to support herself somehow (she'd made up her mind years ago that she would never get married and 'that it would be desirable for me to get my living in the best possible way and to set about it as any boy would do'). She further noted that he was a total hypocrite: 'Why you should recommend for me a course so different from that which you pursue, or recommend to your boys is what I can see no reason for except the example of our grandfathers and times are changing rapidly in that respect'"(p. 179).
"(To wit: in a letter to her before she climbed the Matterhorn, they wrote, 'If you are determined to commit suicide, why not come home and do so in a quiet, lady-like matter.' Rude)" (p. 183).
"Even though she was (and still is) a killer role model, she knew that 'no woman can represent all women any more than one man represents all men'"(p. 185).
[Annie Londonderry]
"When woman wants to learn anything or do anything useful or even have any fun there is always someone to solemnly warn her that it is her duty to keep well. Meanwhile in many states she can work in factories ten hours a day, she can stand behind counters in badly ventilated stores from 8 o'clock to 6, she can bend over the sewing machine for about 5 cents an hour and no one cares enough to protest. But when these same women, condemned to sedentary lives indoors, find a cheap a delightful way of getting the fresh air and exercise they need so sorely there is a great hue and cry about their physical welfare"(p. 196).
[Interview with Mika Mckinnon]
"Be gentle with one another. The universe is vast, and the science is endless. We'll learn so much more if we collaborate and work together than if we let our petty human flaws dictate out actions. Be generous with giving credit; everyone should be recognized for their work. Own up to your mistakes. Do your best to correct them and to learn from them. Then don't stress about it too much-it happens to everyone"(p. 217).
[Lise Meitner]
"After her dramatic flight (which Otto casually attributed to- and this is another direct quote- 'these Hitler regime things'), Lise set up shop in Stockholm at the lab of a guy name Manne Siegbahn. Now Manne, unlike Good Guy Niels, hated women in the sciences (and was therefore kind of a trashbag). He refused to give Lise collaborators, equipment, tech support, or even her own set if keys to the lab, and he paid her an assistant's measly salary. (Lise would later write that in searching for 'male supporters of the higher education of women and of their professional equality with men, then it is remarkable how few men of general reputation we find.' No kidding.) Despite these setbacks (and the misery and loneliness that accompanied fleeing her homeland), Lise continued to work, writing back and forth with Otto about a little things she had been considering: how to split the nuclear atom into smaller parts, also known as nuclear fission"(p. 27).
[Elizabeth & Emily Blackwell]
"Apparently, the medical school faculties were equal parts afraid that she, as a woman, would be far too stupid to be a doctor, running all the men out of their jobs. Ultimately, Elizabeth received a conditional offer from Geneva Medical College (now Hobart) in the upstate New York. The school agreed to put her admission to a vote, and if even one of her 150 male classmates said no, she would not be admitted. Luckily, they all thought it was a hilarious joke being played by a rival college (seriously!), and every one of them voted yes. All joking stopped shortly thereafter when Elizabeth marched in to class"(p. 57).
[Annie Smith Peck]
"Her brother tried to argue that she was too talented to be stifled by college (what?), to which Annie responded: 'Dare you say that out loud? What if you applied it to a young man? Are you crazy?' (Direct quote, no joke!) Her father told her he would not fund her education, prompting Annie to point out that she would need to support herself somehow (she'd made up her mind years ago that she would never get married and 'that it would be desirable for me to get my living in the best possible way and to set about it as any boy would do'). She further noted that he was a total hypocrite: 'Why you should recommend for me a course so different from that which you pursue, or recommend to your boys is what I can see no reason for except the example of our grandfathers and times are changing rapidly in that respect'"(p. 179).
"(To wit: in a letter to her before she climbed the Matterhorn, they wrote, 'If you are determined to commit suicide, why not come home and do so in a quiet, lady-like matter.' Rude)" (p. 183).
"Even though she was (and still is) a killer role model, she knew that 'no woman can represent all women any more than one man represents all men'"(p. 185).
[Annie Londonderry]
"When woman wants to learn anything or do anything useful or even have any fun there is always someone to solemnly warn her that it is her duty to keep well. Meanwhile in many states she can work in factories ten hours a day, she can stand behind counters in badly ventilated stores from 8 o'clock to 6, she can bend over the sewing machine for about 5 cents an hour and no one cares enough to protest. But when these same women, condemned to sedentary lives indoors, find a cheap a delightful way of getting the fresh air and exercise they need so sorely there is a great hue and cry about their physical welfare"(p. 196).
[Interview with Mika Mckinnon]
"Be gentle with one another. The universe is vast, and the science is endless. We'll learn so much more if we collaborate and work together than if we let our petty human flaws dictate out actions. Be generous with giving credit; everyone should be recognized for their work. Own up to your mistakes. Do your best to correct them and to learn from them. Then don't stress about it too much-it happens to everyone"(p. 217).
This was such a cool read. I learnt so many things. Inspiring is a word that gets quite annoying, but I can't really think of another than fits. After reading this the first thing I did was google Australian lady scientists, and I'm in the middle of discovering so many more awesome women and the things they achieved.
This book made me proud and angry in equal ways - I am happy there are awesome kick ass authors who are making sure these women's stories live on.
This book is great and so engaging, if you have children of any gender they need to learn who these people are and what they have to the world because I don't know where we would be without them.
Amazing.
This book is great and so engaging, if you have children of any gender they need to learn who these people are and what they have to the world because I don't know where we would be without them.
Amazing.
I absolutely love love love love this book!!!! Its so amazing and so interesting!!!!!
Back in August, Quirk Books reached out to ask if I'd be interested in reviewing a nonfiction book about extraordinary women from history. Of course I said yes. (Who wouldn't have their interest piqued by that pitch?) So they sent over an advanced reader's copy (ARC) for me to check out. XD
Wonder Women by Sam Maggs includes stories about 25 women who looked convention in the face and laughed at it. When one looks at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers, it is easy to believe that women have had little to no impact. (The historical record has a few flaws.) Maggs completely turns this notion onto its head by showcasing women who not only braved these disciplines but completely rocked them (many times before men even had a clue). She doesn't just discuss women scientists and inventors but also women adventurers. Those that dared to dream big and push themselves forward to attain those dreams despite all the odds being stacked against them. It's the same struggle that women the world over are still fighting against except for these women lived in times that were even more daunting (I'm talking B.C.E. through the 1940s, ya'll.). These women were not given equal opportunities for education much less employment. Their families, spouses, and society were dead set that they would stay exactly as they always had...in the shadow of men. The biographies are broken up into subsections and at the end of each section are bite size bios and a Q&A with a woman who is currently working in that discipline. Oh and did I mention the art at the start of each biography? An artist's rendering of each of the ladies in the ARC are depicted in black and white but I believe in the on-sale version color has been added. They make a great addition to the book as well as the informal jargon (if you've been on Tumblr and enjoyed it then you'll feel right at home). It was a fun, quick read that showcased some truly kick butt ladies doing some really kick butt things. 9/10
You can pre-order Wonder Women today (it comes out on October 4, 2016!) and as an added bonus receive downloadable wallpapers by Jen Bartel and Paulina Ganucheau. O_O
Wonder Women by Sam Maggs includes stories about 25 women who looked convention in the face and laughed at it. When one looks at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers, it is easy to believe that women have had little to no impact. (The historical record has a few flaws.) Maggs completely turns this notion onto its head by showcasing women who not only braved these disciplines but completely rocked them (many times before men even had a clue). She doesn't just discuss women scientists and inventors but also women adventurers. Those that dared to dream big and push themselves forward to attain those dreams despite all the odds being stacked against them. It's the same struggle that women the world over are still fighting against except for these women lived in times that were even more daunting (I'm talking B.C.E. through the 1940s, ya'll.). These women were not given equal opportunities for education much less employment. Their families, spouses, and society were dead set that they would stay exactly as they always had...in the shadow of men. The biographies are broken up into subsections and at the end of each section are bite size bios and a Q&A with a woman who is currently working in that discipline. Oh and did I mention the art at the start of each biography? An artist's rendering of each of the ladies in the ARC are depicted in black and white but I believe in the on-sale version color has been added. They make a great addition to the book as well as the informal jargon (if you've been on Tumblr and enjoyed it then you'll feel right at home). It was a fun, quick read that showcased some truly kick butt ladies doing some really kick butt things. 9/10
You can pre-order Wonder Women today (it comes out on October 4, 2016!) and as an added bonus receive downloadable wallpapers by Jen Bartel and Paulina Ganucheau. O_O
This was fabulous. We all know about the accomplishments of men of history but you don't hear a lot about any women. You end up thinking that there just were no noteworthy women and that is certainly not the case. I didn't know about most of the women here and that is a crime. Representation matters; not just in the media but in history as well.
Maggs does a fantastic job at highlighting diverse women as well. There are women outside of North America or Europe, women of all sexualities and gender identities, it's really refreshing and every little girl needs to read this.
Maggs does a fantastic job at highlighting diverse women as well. There are women outside of North America or Europe, women of all sexualities and gender identities, it's really refreshing and every little girl needs to read this.