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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This book is a series of short essays (a few paragraphs) on several woman throughout history who fought against social norms. The readers learn about a diverse group of woman of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The first woman written about was Joan of Arc because historically she was one of the first girls to fight for what she believes in and disobey society. From there the readers learn about more empowering women like Selena, Oprah, Carmen Miranda, Josephine Baker and more. Though the reading level isn't very high, I recommend this to anyone, especially young women, because readers learn about influential female leaders who made nothing into a meaningful life.
This was a good book, but I've read a lot of these this month and it just definitely wasn't my favorite. I think one reason is because with a title like Bad Girls Throughout History I was expecting women who were ...well, a bit more bad I guess. The author explains the title and I totally get it and agree that it fits because oftentimes women are seen as 'bad' just because they want to like ...go to school *gasp* but also was just hoping for something a bit more out there I guess. Luckily for me I did end up filling that spot with Jane Yolen's [b:Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves, & Other Female Villains|14992898|Bad Girls Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves, & Other Female Villains|Jane Yolen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405866691s/14992898.jpg|20647450] so it's all good.
Another thing about this book that threw me off is that it is just FILLED with 20th century actresses or women otherwise in the entertainment industry [generally in America]. There's nothing wrong with that necessarily but I feel like literally half this book was made up of these women and it seemed like it was definitely out of balance considering you have the entire world and all of time to choose from. I feel like maybe the author is just really interested in that topic, which is cool, but maybe she should have done a separate book just for groundbreaking women in the film industry, especially since a lot of the other women featured here were fairly standard and featured often in other books like this.
Still, it was a very informative book and I learned about a lot of new women. The art was great and the blurbs were funny yet still conveyed all the necessary information. I enjoyed it, but I also feel like it could have been better if a few things were different.
Another thing about this book that threw me off is that it is just FILLED with 20th century actresses or women otherwise in the entertainment industry [generally in America]. There's nothing wrong with that necessarily but I feel like literally half this book was made up of these women and it seemed like it was definitely out of balance considering you have the entire world and all of time to choose from. I feel like maybe the author is just really interested in that topic, which is cool, but maybe she should have done a separate book just for groundbreaking women in the film industry, especially since a lot of the other women featured here were fairly standard and featured often in other books like this.
Still, it was a very informative book and I learned about a lot of new women. The art was great and the blurbs were funny yet still conveyed all the necessary information. I enjoyed it, but I also feel like it could have been better if a few things were different.
Although this was a great idea for a book, it missed the mark. It goes far beyond what some people were saying about most of the people being white. It was more of a question of how did she pick the women for her list? blind Google search?
There were some good examples in there, like Lucille Ball, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, etc. But then she had Julia Childs, Marie Antionette and Amelia Erikson (who invented the peppermint stick). Maybe if there was something to Erikson's story about the problems she faced as a female inventor, but there was nothing written about that here. I am sure the author had a reason for each of the picks, but in the quick bio often forgot to tie it to that reason.
One of the biggest problems came when she fed misinformation. Hedy Lamarr did not invent the Wifi! With that false statement, I know that it isn't a good resource of information, since everything will have to be fact checked.
There were some good examples in there, like Lucille Ball, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, etc. But then she had Julia Childs, Marie Antionette and Amelia Erikson (who invented the peppermint stick). Maybe if there was something to Erikson's story about the problems she faced as a female inventor, but there was nothing written about that here. I am sure the author had a reason for each of the picks, but in the quick bio often forgot to tie it to that reason.
One of the biggest problems came when she fed misinformation. Hedy Lamarr did not invent the Wifi! With that false statement, I know that it isn't a good resource of information, since everything will have to be fact checked.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book rocks. I loved reading about all of these amazing women that truly span the timeline of history. Ann Shen covers the most notable things these 100 women have done, but in a way that doesn't seem like a boring, bogged down biography of 100 women. The illustrations are gorgeous as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone, of all ages, but especially young girls who don't know who to look up to. Here are 100 role models.
I would recommend this book to anyone, of all ages, but especially young girls who don't know who to look up to. Here are 100 role models.
fast-paced
For me, this book was a filler read between novels—something to add nonfiction and maybe learn a name or two. This is a quick summary of 100 women who don’t receive enough coverage in history; therefore, the “histories” are concise and fairly surface level. If you expect a lot of depth, you will be disappointed. Many are big names—some are lesser known. I wish there would have been a greater diversity, but if you take it as a coffee table read, it accomplished its purpose!
I seriously learned so much from this book! Many women whose stories have not been told - or not widely enough that I’ve heard of them. Don’t underestimate this book.
Snapshots of fascinating females
Potentially eye-opening view of women in history. Use this as a starting point for further reading. Only a paragraph on each woman doesn't feel like enough.
Potentially eye-opening view of women in history. Use this as a starting point for further reading. Only a paragraph on each woman doesn't feel like enough.
Mediocre art and superficial biographies, but a good effort and an entertaining read. If you don't do art yourself, you'll like the drawings more than I did and can ignore my nitpicking of them. The biographies are short and sweet and captivating. A good book, overall.
OK, the illustrations were great. I loved them all... with the exception of Josephine Baker. Why give one of the few black women in the book the half-naked, highly sexualized illustration when Josephine Baker was also known for having a beautiful face? And for wearing all the most beautiful and fashion forward clothes?? And for having a PET CHEETAH that she used to walk around town like a pet dog??? That would've made an excellent illustration IMHO.
Now. The bios? Those are a different story. If I were to separate out the bios from the illustrations, this book would've gotten 1.5-stars.
The author, Ann Shen, tried so hard to include women of color. I give her props for that. The bios were short and sweet and of course, there wasn't as much time to delve into their complete histories. But then there were so many white women. So many! If you're looking for historical figures and you didn't limit yourself to just one country or one profession or whatever - then why so many white women?
Shen also 100% glossed over the common criticisms of some of these white women by briefly acknowledging that they weren't perfect or whatever in the introduction. Ok, that's fair. However, it also felt kinda weak. Susan B Anthony and Margaret Thatcher, for example, are historically racist, thus making them literally 'bad' women and not the cute slang version of 'bad'.
I liked it enough though, not enough to recommend others run out and buy it - but enough to have enjoyed flipping through it and admiring the art.
Now. The bios? Those are a different story. If I were to separate out the bios from the illustrations, this book would've gotten 1.5-stars.
The author, Ann Shen, tried so hard to include women of color. I give her props for that. The bios were short and sweet and of course, there wasn't as much time to delve into their complete histories. But then there were so many white women. So many! If you're looking for historical figures and you didn't limit yourself to just one country or one profession or whatever - then why so many white women?
Shen also 100% glossed over the common criticisms of some of these white women by briefly acknowledging that they weren't perfect or whatever in the introduction. Ok, that's fair. However, it also felt kinda weak. Susan B Anthony and Margaret Thatcher, for example, are historically racist, thus making them literally 'bad' women and not the cute slang version of 'bad'.
I liked it enough though, not enough to recommend others run out and buy it - but enough to have enjoyed flipping through it and admiring the art.
This was great. There were so many women that I had never heard of that I'm so interested in learning about now.
I think the only thing I didn't like was that there were drawings at then end. I feel like I would have rather seen their actual photos and maybe photos of some of the things they accomplished. I guess it might be a copyright thing? It's easier to just draw them?
I think the only thing I didn't like was that there were drawings at then end. I feel like I would have rather seen their actual photos and maybe photos of some of the things they accomplished. I guess it might be a copyright thing? It's easier to just draw them?