305.4

I skimmed through this book just for the fun of it, so, unlike some other readers, I didn't get bent out of shape by questionable inclusions, urban legends, or inaccuracies. It's not exactly what I'd call a scholarly book, but I can find those when I need them. Leon recounts in short (two to three page) essays the 'achievements' of a wide variety of women, including queens, artisans, murderesses, witches, and crossdressers, amongst others. It's the kind of book you'll want to grab and skim when you're too tired to focus on anything longer or heavier. It was just the right type of reading for a cold, windy winter's evening--just fun, if you don't take it too seriously. ( )

I have read a few other of Vicki Leon's "Uppity Women" books and really liked them, but this is a major disappointment. Many of the women didn't seem either very uppity or very admirable. For example, one was included because she made a series of marriages each more financially advantageous than the last, and ended up very wealthy. Um...wasn't that what everyone wanted a Renaissance-era woman to do? Another woman listed was a petty thief and, after one of her employers whom she stole from gave her a second chance, she burned that person's house down. And what was so impressive/feminist about her?

Try the other books in the series but give this one a miss. ( )

REENACTORS NOTES: Late Medieval thru Early Modern 308 pages: I found this book to be an...urmmm...'interesting' take on the history of women in this time period. This is an obvious feminist bent on the history of this time. While some very interesting examples of forward thinking (and acting) women are given, I found it intersting that some of the 'heroines' of this text are seemingly mentioned only because their husband is famous. (?) Maybe, if you want some fact to titilate the average historical enthusiast at your next reenactment event. I personally consider this a fluff piece and bought it only because a friend recomended it ( )

quotes, anectdotes, and stories of women from renaissance times--authority seems a little questionable to me as some of these stories just have that "urban legend" flavor(and you know how we librarians are addicted to our authority)--but its still fun to read... ( )