Women Warriors from Antiquity to the Modern Era

Another book I'm adding to my reading list: Encyclopedia of Amazons: Women Warriors from Antiquity to the Modern Era. Over 1,000 entries about women who directly engaged in combat. Whether to reduce confusion or simply narrow her field of research, author Jessica Amanda Salmonson "excludes from the encyclopedia women who were spies, assassins, famous murderesses or criminals, orators, or hunters" (see Libray Journal review below).

And if it turns out to be too scholarly for reading? I'm still buying it. From all accounts, it sounds like it would make a kick ass reference book. Also, I just checked out Amazon, and found it used ("very good") for six bucks and shipping (so about ten dollars total?). Not bad at all.

Went to Barnes & Noble last night to go book shopping and everything I looked at in the Women's Studies section was around thirty dollars. Hm. Yea. I'll have to pass for now.

Big Thanks to Cyndi for loaning me her copy of 'A Return to Modesty.' I will find time to read it.




Encyclopedia of Amazons: Women Warriors from Antiquity to the Modern Era

by Jessica Amanda Salmonson






"Usually attributed to aggressive, bold and powerful women, the Amazon archetype is an uncomfortable one in our society. Uncomfortable because it seems so at odds with the image of women as mother or nurturer. That being the case, this book ought to make some heads spin. This is the largest single compilation of women warriors in existence–a roll call of over 1,000 women, from warrior priestesses of thousands of years agoto modern guerilla fighters (although the author favors swordswomen to gunfighters). Some of these women fought for a cause they believed in, some for powerand some for the thrill of the battle. One thing is clear–those who try to pin down women's 'true' nature risk losing a limb in the process."


-Jill Steinberg, WomanSource Catalog & Review

"While the words 'amazon' and 'women warriors' conjure up images of 1950s B-movies, this is an excellent piece of scholarly detective work. Salmonson defines the term 'amazon' through Greek mythology and includes only those women who actually participate in direct combat. She excludes from the encyclopedia women who were spies, assassins, famous murderesses or criminals, orators, or hunters. Salmonson provides biographical information on female figures from all time periods, including antiquity, the Middle Ages, and World War II, and from many different parts of the world, including Japan, Asia, Africa, Western Europe, and the United States. Included are real individuals, mythological and fictional characters, goddesses, and archetypes. Based upon primary and secondary works listed in the bibliography, this volume offers information not found in other reference sources..."
- Library Journal




Reviews courtesy of Barnes & Noble.com