Good Girls Don't Make History

Pocket History

by Jan Stradling

Good Girls Don't Make History is part of the series - a conveniently portable, stylishly packaged and eminently collectible set of six books that each open a window onto a selection of remarkable stories, characters and themes from the past. Good Girls Don't Make History is an historic survey of twelve of the most ruthless and ambitious women in history. These are sassy, brilliant, magnetic, cunning and tough-as-nails women who defied the social mores of their eras. Each gripping story speaks for Mary Mallon, the 'healthy carrier' of deadly typhoid who was dubbed the 'most dangerous woman in America' responsible for spreading the disease with deadly consequences, to Georgia Tann who, as a director of the Tennessee Children's Home, made millions selling babies on the black market. These anti-heroines battled against the odds and often against the status quo, succeeding inturning the power structure, if only for a short time, directly on its head. Some were cruel,some were visionary and some were blinded by ambition or love.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Womens

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand why women like child thief and murderer Georgia Tann or 'Typhoid' Mary Mallon were included in this. Tann stole upwards of 5000 children and was responsible for the deaths of many of those that she stole with the intent of selling to pedophiles. Mallon knew she had a contagious disease and still decided to work as a cook in a hospital maternity ward. Bizarre choices that make no sense when looking at the theme of the book.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant and inspiring, makes me proud to be a woman and I can totally get behind most of their causes!!! So cool to learn about all these women, their stories need to be told wider!! There should be movies about all of them! And the book itself was super engaging and easy to read, really like the story telling element!

[Roxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. So many fascinating stories that seem wild and out of control.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing special, but it filled in a couple of hours quite enjoyably. I had only heard of two of these "Bad Girls" - Typhoid Mary and Mata Hari, and it seems I only knew one side of their stories. I particularly liked the pirate lady who lived to a ripe old age quietly running a gaming house and a brothel or two as old, retired ladies do. This is only a little book: 16x11cm, but it is quite nicely bound.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only I could write my essays like this. Very enjoyable. Easy to pick up and read a chapter at any time.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting.