Women Warlords: An Illustrated Military History of Female Warriors

by Tim Newark, Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Surveys the history of female military leadership in ancient and medieval warfare

Genres: History, Ancient History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Alberto Martín de Hijas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una serie de artículos breves sobre mujeres guerreras. Aunque el texto cae demasiado en lo anecdótico y carece de unidad, no deja de ser interesante. Las ilustraciones de McBride son muy buenas, como siempre, aunque algo escasas.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of cool examples, but you can tell he doesn't critically evaluate his sources much in the book. It was a series of annecdotes more than a coherent look at the comprehensive history of women rulers or women warriors. For example, he didn't really talk about why there have been so few women warlords, or why they're not well known (hint: sexism, not a recent development). It would also have been neat to read about what factors seem to promote women warlords (some cultures more friendly to the idea than others? Desperation? Sheer individual talent?). It was very focused on the western world, with very few examples that weren't European. Good read, very interesting, good writing style, but not meant as scholarly history.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is worth getting your hands on for the Angus Mcbride illustrations, and only for the Angus Mcbride illustrations. Tim Newark's text is dry and unconvincing, and the book is so old that the subject of women warriors has been done better since by other authors. Women Warriors: An Unexpected History is a good general resource, while The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World and The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc address specific subjects that Newark fails at.

[Historia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book and read it many years ago and I loved it. Since then a whole series of women warlords, shieldmaidens and warrior queens have been thrust upon us in various films and television shows, and yet there are many real characters in this book who are still virtually unknown to the general public, such as Artemisia and Zenobia.
In particular the book had two great attractions for me. One, obviously, was the high quality of the coloured illustrations by Tim Newark, which really brought the whole theme to life. The other thing I enjoyed was the discussion of the legendary Amazons. Although I did not, in the end, agree with some of the theories put forward this is a pet topic of mine and I enjoyed it very much.

[Joseph F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? I love a woman with a sword. If she is on the back of a flying dragon that can hurl fireballs down on her enemies then that is even better.
Okay there are no dragons in this book, but there are historical tales of some of history's great women military leaders.
Tim Newark starts with the mythological amazons. However he feels they are not completely mythical as there is some evidence that there may have been women warlords among the ancient Sarmations: Iranian speaking horse riders north of the Black sea.
Moving on to other figures, he includes Zenobia, Artemesia, Boudicca, Matilda of Tuscany, and everyone's favorite kick ass warrior Joan of Arc.
The book is enhanced by not only black and white art and artifacts, but also beautiful color plates that bring these figures to life.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This illustrated military history of female warlords is an excellent choice to become more acquainted with the ladies that took a stab and slashed through time with their own interpretation of making a mark (or scar) on history. Yeah, that's me trying to be witty with puns. It's not working well.

[Edward Philippi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview of women at war with. It is a great place to start and will wet your appetite for further study and give you directions for further searching.