Trailblazing Women Adventurers (551 books)

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Books by and about women who, before "women's lib" and "equal opportunity" became household terms, sought personal and professional fulfilment in ways that involved travel and the breaking of the boundaries of their expected role/behavior as the female of the species. It's of little relevance what field they were engaged in (science, aviation, linguistics, archeology, photography, journalism, or whatever else) -- as long as we're looking at true-blue pre-women's lib trailblazing travelers!

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1	West with the Night by Beryl Markham 4.16 avg rating — 41,720 ratings score: 5,136, and 52 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen 3.91 avg rating — 48,885 ratings score: 2,213, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	My Journey to Lhasa: The Classic Story of the Only Western Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City by Alexandra David-Néel 3.98 avg rating — 2,435 ratings score: 1,641, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds (Story of Elsa, #1) by Joy Adamson 4.16 avg rating — 33,801 ratings score: 1,565, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird 3.97 avg rating — 3,863 ratings score: 1,446, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Lifelines The Bowen Love Letters by Susan Lee Ward (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 1,300, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Valleys of the Assassins: and Other Persian Travels by Freya Stark 3.81 avg rating — 1,229 ratings score: 1,294, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 32,316 ratings score: 1,225, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations by Georgina Howell 3.99 avg rating — 3,627 ratings score: 1,156, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman 3.73 avg rating — 6,613 ratings score: 1,145, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher Geniesse 4.02 avg rating — 1,360 ratings score: 1,144, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Straight on Till Morning: the Biography of Beryl Markham by Mary S. Lovell 4.15 avg rating — 2,350 ratings score: 1,061, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Travels with Myself and Another by Martha Gellhorn 3.83 avg rating — 2,362 ratings score: 952, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Face of War by Martha Gellhorn 4.32 avg rating — 1,372 ratings score: 866, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Ten Days in a Mad-House by Nellie Bly 3.86 avg rating — 25,678 ratings score: 710, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West 4.21 avg rating — 2,728 ratings score: 694, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Come, Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie Mallowan 4.08 avg rating — 5,419 ratings score: 686, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Unbeaten Tracks in Japan by Isabella Lucy Bird 3.83 avg rating — 499 ratings score: 644, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya by Frances Osborne 3.74 avg rating — 4,585 ratings score: 631, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Travels in West Africa by Mary H. Kingsley 3.75 avg rating — 920 ratings score: 583, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	These Happy Golden Years (Little House, #8) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 4.22 avg rating — 80,166 ratings score: 576, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	The Spotted Sphinx by Joy Adamson 4.35 avg rating — 330 ratings score: 575, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Gellhorn: A Twentieth Century Life by Caroline Moorehead 4.08 avg rating — 800 ratings score: 569, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	UNSUITABLE FOR LADIES: An Anthology of Women Travellers by Jane Robinson (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 188 ratings score: 557, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall 4.37 avg rating — 9,597 ratings score: 554, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man by Dale Peterson 4.21 avg rating — 939 ratings score: 537, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Magic and Mystery in Tibet by Alexandra David-Néel 4.08 avg rating — 1,506 ratings score: 535, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy 4.06 avg rating — 4,753 ratings score: 514, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Women Travelers: A Century of Trailblazing Adventures 1850-1950 by Alexandra Lapierre 3.89 avg rating — 225 ratings score: 507, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Story of My Life by Helen Keller 4.07 avg rating — 151,718 ratings score: 503, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Around the World in 72 Days by Nellie Bly 3.64 avg rating — 1,634 ratings score: 501, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	No Place for a Lady: Tales of Adventurous Women Travelers by Barbara Hodgson 3.66 avg rating — 216 ratings score: 495, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby by Mary S. Lovell 4.05 avg rating — 1,355 ratings score: 490, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Splendid Outcast: Beryl Markham's African Stories by Beryl Markham 3.68 avg rating — 399 ratings score: 482, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	A Voyager Out: The Life of Mary Kingsley by Katherine Frank (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 98 ratings score: 462, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Dreaming of East: Western Women and the Exotic Allure of the Orient by Barbara Hodgson 4.06 avg rating — 65 ratings score: 436, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Last Flight by Amelia Earhart 3.98 avg rating — 270 ratings score: 425, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Margaret Bourke-White: Photographer by Sean Callahan (Contributor) 4.45 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 422, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia by Janet Wallach (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 6,200 ratings score: 418, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Flame Trees of Thika: Memories of an African Childhood by Elspeth Huxley 4.11 avg rating — 6,144 ratings score: 417, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	China to Me by Emily Hahn 4.11 avg rating — 209 ratings score: 407, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Spinsters Abroad: Victorian Lady Explorers by Dea Birkett 3.23 avg rating — 71 ratings score: 397, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Annapurna: A Woman's Place by Arlene Blum 4.19 avg rating — 3,133 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Sound of Wings: the Life of Amelia Earhart by Mary S. Lovell 3.81 avg rating — 534 ratings score: 390, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Southern Gates of Arabia: A Journey in the Hadhramaut by Freya Stark 3.91 avg rating — 311 ratings score: 385, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The First Four Years (Little House, #9) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 3.87 avg rating — 45,495 ratings score: 381, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Ladies of the Field: Early Women Archaeologists and Their Search for Adventure by Amanda Adams 3.76 avg rating — 209 ratings score: 380, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Helen Keller's Teacher by Margaret Davidson 4.17 avg rating — 2,219 ratings score: 379, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Martin Soskice 4.09 avg rating — 939 ratings score: 373, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Tisha: The Wonderful True Love Story of a Young Teacher in the Alaskan Wilderness by Robert Specht 4.32 avg rating — 11,246 ratings score: 349, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Letters Written During A Short Residence In Sweden, Norway And Denmark by Mary Wollstonecraft 3.53 avg rating — 1,083 ratings score: 345, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Among the Tibetans by Isabella Lucy Bird 3.48 avg rating — 246 ratings score: 343, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	No Hurry to Get Home: The Memoir of the New Yorker Writer Whose Unconventional Life and Adventures Spanned the 20th Century by Emily Hahn 4.22 avg rating — 340 ratings score: 336, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Tales from the Queen of the Desert by Gertrude Bell 3.80 avg rating — 69 ratings score: 333, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist by Brooke Kroeger 3.78 avg rating — 249 ratings score: 326, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Blessings of a Good Thick Skirt: Women Travellers and Their World by Mary Russell 3.71 avg rating — 76 ratings score: 324, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Forbidden Journey by Ella Maillart 3.93 avg rating — 235 ratings score: 319, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White by Sean Callahan (Editor) 4.50 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 312, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life by Arlene Blum 4.37 avg rating — 1,481 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America by Elizabeth Letts (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 18,478 ratings score: 299, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	My Turn to Make the Tea by Monica Dickens 3.69 avg rating — 425 ratings score: 296, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code by Margalit Fox (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 3,740 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker (Illustrated Biographies by Chronicle Books) by Patricia Hruby Powell (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 4,554 ratings score: 288, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford 4.36 avg rating — 6,013 ratings score: 288, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Immortality and Reincarnation: Wisdom from the Forbidden Journey by Alexandra David-Néel really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 57 ratings score: 287, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Virago Book of Women Travellers by Mary Morris (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.98 avg rating — 205 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books by Marta McDowell (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 1,278 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly by Sue Macy 3.93 avg rating — 134 ratings score: 280, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	On a Farther Shore: The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson, Author of Silent Spring by William Souder 3.91 avg rating — 949 ratings score: 280, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Writing the Trail: Five Women's Frontier Narratives by Deborah Lawrence 4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 277, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America by Linda Lawrence Hunt 3.73 avg rating — 2,349 ratings score: 275, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Grand Tour: Letters and Photographs from the British Empire Expedition 1922 by Agatha Christie 3.80 avg rating — 924 ratings score: 273, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Fanny Stevenson: A Romance of Destiny by Alexandra Lapierre 4.06 avg rating — 199 ratings score: 270, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	One Pair Of Hands by Monica Dickens 3.86 avg rating — 1,621 ratings score: 266, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski 3.86 avg rating — 10,631 ratings score: 266, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	Women of Discovery: A Celebration of Intrepid Women Who Explored the World by Milbry Polk 4.17 avg rating — 101 ratings score: 257, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	In the Shadow of Islam by Isabelle Eberhardt 3.78 avg rating — 179 ratings score: 252, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	Six Months in the Sandwich Islands: Among Hawaii's Palm Groves, Coral Reefs and Volcanoes by Isabella Lucy Bird 3.90 avg rating — 333 ratings score: 245, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Women Explorers in Africa: Christina Dodwell, Delia Akeley, Mary Kingsley, Florence Von Sass-Baker, Alexandrine Tinne by Margo McLoone 3.83 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 243, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	The Rani of Jhansi: Gender, History, and Fable in India by Harleen Singh 3.87 avg rating — 31 ratings score: 241, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Eve of a Hundred Midnights: The Star-Crossed Love Story of Two WWII Correspondents and their Epic Escape Across the Pacific by Bill Lascher (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 813 ratings score: 238, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O'Brien 3.92 avg rating — 9,522 ratings score: 227, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	Victorian Lady Travellers by Dorothy Middleton 3.70 avg rating — 30 ratings score: 208, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor 4.04 avg rating — 8,671 ratings score: 205, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Hot Flashes from Abroad 2 Ed: Women's Travel Tales and Adventures by Jean Gould (Editor) 3.47 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Tomorrow to be Brave: A Memoir of the Only Woman Ever to Serve in the French Foreign Legion by Susan Travers 4.10 avg rating — 372 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson 4.13 avg rating — 907 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	Grania: She-King of the Irish Seas by Morgan Llywelyn 4.04 avg rating — 1,328 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon 3.80 avg rating — 3,156 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	The Nomad: Diaries of Isabelle Eberhardt by Isabelle Eberhardt 3.59 avg rating — 351 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them by Siân Evans 3.73 avg rating — 1,116 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	The Many Faces of Josephine Baker: Dancer, Singer, Activist, Spy (11) (Women of Action) by Peggy Caravantes 3.70 avg rating — 216 ratings score: 191, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	I Love Myself When I Am Laughing And Then Again When I Am Looking Mean & Impressive by Zora Neale Hurston 4.42 avg rating — 2,592 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Florence Nightingale by Lucy Lethbridge 4.35 avg rating — 106 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	Pirate Queens: Dauntless Women Who Dared to Rule the High Seas by Leigh Lewis (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 146 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	Initiations and Initiates in Tibet by Alexandra David-Néel 4.14 avg rating — 85 ratings score: 180, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Joy Adamson the searching spirit by Joy Adamson 4.22 avg rating — 51 ratings score: 179, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	Grandes aventures de l'exploration, au coeur des himalayas le nepal, sur les (Le by Alexandra David-Néel 3.73 avg rating — 114 ratings score: 177, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	Dark Horse: A Life of Anna Sewell by Adrienne E. Gavin 3.74 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 176, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	My Time in the War: An Irishwoman's Diary by Romie Lambkin 4.50 avg rating — 10 ratings score: 176, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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551 books · 203 voters · list created February 25th, 2011 by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (votes) .

Tags: adventure, adventurers, biography, explorers, historical, history, memoir, non-fiction, travel, women, women-nonfiction, womens-history

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message 1: by Jan (last edited Jan 27, 2012 06:17AM) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 06:16AM

All-right, define adventurers, because I have this urge to add a bunch of books about the famous female primate scientists, who weren't explorers per se, but did a whole lot of that during their research.

Also, there's a more contemporary primate scientist as well, who also comes to mind.

And I know I've got a book somewhere about female archaeologists in Africa (looking for the missing link) would they count?

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message 2: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 06:26AM

Women who, before "women's lib" and "equal opportunity" became household terms, sought personal and professional fulfilment in ways that somehow involved travel and the breaking of the boundaries of their expected role/behavior as the female of the species. Doesn't matter what field they were engaged in. Scientists, aviators, linguists, archeologists, photographers, journalists ... bring them all on!

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message 3: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jan 27, 2012 10:42AM

Is fiction supposed to be on this list? Because Crocodile on the Sandbank is a novel.

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message 4: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 11:19AM

Fiction BY the women explorers in question is OK, as long as it is at least partially based on their experience -- however this is basically a list intended to highlight real women explorer's achievements (in whatever field). (For an example of the kind of fiction I mean, see Beryl Markham's short stories set in Africa and collected in Splendid Outcast: Beryl Markham's African Stories.)

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message 5: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jan 27, 2012 11:31AM

Crocodile on the Sandback is a comic mystery novel, by a modern Egyptologist, about a fictional Victorian Egyptologist.

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message 6: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 11:56AM

Susanna wrote: "Crocodile on the Sandback is a comic mystery novel, by a modern Egyptologist, about a fictional Victorian Egyptologist."

Yes, I know ... and it's a great book (and series), too. Just not one that I think would fit in with this list, I'm afraid ... :( (Markham's stories are essentially thinly-veiled snippets of autobiography.)

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message 7: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (last edited Jan 27, 2012 12:08PM) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 12:08PM

In that case, should it stay on the list?

ETA: It is indeed a very fun read.

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message 8: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (last edited Jan 27, 2012 12:12PM) (new)

Jan 27, 2012 12:11PM

Whops, hadn't noticed that it's already on the list! No, indeed it shouldn't ... I'll take care of that then.

ETA: Removed.

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message 9: by Ann (new)

Apr 08, 2012 04:49AM

Great list! I adore books about intrepid women - women who didn't let the strictures of society hold them back.

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message 10: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Apr 08, 2012 09:37AM

Thank you -- and so do I! :) I'm happy to see there seem to be so many like-minded folks ... on this site, anyway!

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message 11: by Wanda (new)

Apr 08, 2012 06:21PM

Would this one fit the list - Out of Africa?

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message 12: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Apr 09, 2012 03:42PM

Wanda wrote: "Would this one fit the list - Out of Africa?"

Hmm. I didn't add Out of Africa (or, for that matter, Huxley's Flame Trees of Thika) myself because when I created the list I was primarily thinking of women who weren't just trailblazers of women's lib but in whose lives travel and exploration played a big part as well. I guess you could argue that moving to Africa to run a farm there is travel of a sort as well -- and of course Karen Blixen WAS a trailblazer in all sorts of ways. I'm just not sure if, by and large, I'm not thinking of a somewhat less "sedentary" (for lack of a better word), or overall more transient life. Then again, maybe this is just my pro-Markham bias speaking ...

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message 13: by Janet (new)

Jan 12, 2013 09:44AM

What about Marriane North who travelled the world in the 17th. c. painting trees & flowers, or Maria Sybila
Merian who traveled in 16th.c. painting butterflies,
or the woman who discovered longitude (just getting
started on this one) there are many amazing women
who have left thier mark on the world without much recognition.

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message 14: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 12, 2013 11:58AM

Janet wrote: "What about Marriane North who travelled the world in the 17th. c. painting trees & flowers, or Maria Sybila
Merian who traveled in 16th.c. painting butterflies,
or the woman who discovered longitud..."

Great ideas, Janet, do feel free to add books by or about all of these. (Everybody can do so; there is a tab up top next to "all votes.")

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message 15: by Malika (new)

Jun 02, 2014 10:26AM

Surprised to see 'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail' by Cheryl Strayed isn't on this list. It is quite modern compared to others on this list.

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message 16: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jun 02, 2014 02:54PM

Is it about before "women's lib"?

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message 17: by Rainbowheart (new)

Aug 17, 2018 02:15AM

Removed Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It definitely does not take place before women's lib.

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message 18: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (last edited Aug 17, 2018 09:01AM) (new)

Aug 17, 2018 08:56AM

I question the current #23, Hong Mei's The Father I Walk. Also #34, Pearl of China, is a historical novel, as are #39, I Was Amelia Earhart, and #56, The House Of Trembling Leaves.

And someone's put the Little House novels on the list.

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message 19: by Rainbowheart (new)

Aug 18, 2018 03:13PM

Yeah, this list is a huge mess. The focus should be on travel and pre-women's lib, so I'm not sure how books about modern women or compilation books about famous women in general fit in.

List creator said fiction by the women explorers themselves is ok, but the focus should be non-fiction. What is the consensus on the Little House books? They are fiction, and I would not call Laura herself an adventurer. And what about general compilations of famous women like Amelia to Zora, Girls Think of Everything, Girls Who Rocked the World, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, etc.?

Removed Ipanema Turtles (modern), Special Lassi (modern), A Rebel Star (fiction), Singapore Salvation (modern), Trail Angel (fiction), Your Bloods Eve (fiction), The Devil Wears Clogs (modern), Gray Hawk of Terrapin (irrelevant fantasy), Mayflower Madam (modern), Not One Damsel in Distress (fiction), Sarah by Orson Scott Card (fiction), Little Women (fiction), When G-d Asks Me (modern), If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing in the Pits? (humor), The Supergirls (fictional superheroes), Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum (irrelevant), Bad Girls of Fashion (irrelevant), Ink & Paint (irrelevant), Miss E. (fiction), The Bronte Sisters (irrelevant), Caroline (fiction), Zora and Me (fiction), Meet Stroller (irrelevant), Vet on the Loose (modern), The Courtship of Jo March (fiction), The Hidden Life of Dogs (irrelevant), Women Who Run with the Wolves (irrelevant), Make More Noise (fiction), Reaching the Stars (too general), Good Girls and Wicked Women (irrelevant), The Light in the Window (irrelevant), The House Of Trembling Leaves (fiction), Tracks (modern), The Farther I Walk The Closer I Get To Me (modern), I Was Amelia Earhart (fiction), Pearl of China (fiction), and Breaking Free (modern).

That's all I got on the first go around, but there may be more.

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