The list of courageous women or female warriors in history is huge. While many say women are equal to men, some have proven the fact. In fact according to me they have proven that they are superior to men. Here’s a list of the 20 best books based on female warriors from around the globe.
Female Warriors In History: Books Based On Female Warriors Around The Globe
Sita: The Warrior of Mithila by Amish
This book explores the warrior side of the mythical bride of Ram, who is usually portrayed as an ideal docile wide. Her story involves her knowledge of martial arts and training in weaponry, as well her dazzling wit that completements it.
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
This is a collection of Chinese myths of women warriors who helped change the course of history and who survive till date as memories and oral traditions.
The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Thomas
Set in China in 484 AD, this book recounts the story of Mulan, whom circumstances force into war. This is a retelling of the bard of Mulan, with aspects of fantasy touched by a strong historical foothold.
The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney
This is the character sketch and life story of Egypt’s longest reigning warrior pharaoh, Hatshepsut. Her inability to bear a son become her driving force to rule the land, dressed as a man.
The Somali Queen by Farah Mohamed
This is the story of Queen Arraweelo, a woman of extraordinary mental and physical strength. Ruling over Somalia in AD 15, this is a fascinating account of her escapades.
A Revolutionary Life by Lakshmi Sahgal
This memoir tells the story of the woman soldier who helped change the tide of Indian history and bring freedom from the British. It is not only of historical and feminist value, but is also an ode to women strength.
Samurai Women by Stephen Turnbull and Giuseppe Rava
This book brings to life the rich history of Japanese warrior women, from Empress Jingo who led a battle while pregnant to women of Aizu and Hauri Tsuruhime. This book explores the role of women in the samurai community.
Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath
This is an eclectic compilation of the world’s bravest ‘heroines, hellions and heretics’. Breaking the pretty princess stereotype, this book talks about bold women the likes of a Chinese prostitute turned commander of a fleet, a pirate princess of Denmark and rebel preacher in Boston.
Code Girls by Liza Mundy
This book dives into the grassroots of WW2 and brings forth the narrative of the Allied codebreakers who helped the Allies gain victory.
The Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser
This book is a multidimensional narrative of queens who have led their armies into war – Catherine the Great, Queen Elizabeth I, Rani of Jhansi and Queen Jinga of Angola.
We Also Served by Vivien Newman
As the title suggests, this book accounts for the lacunae in the WW1 patriarchal and male-centric history. It delves into the lives and contributions of women soldiers, spies and nurses.
Soldaderas in the Mexican Military by Elizabeth Salas
In this book, Salas breathes life into the story of Mexican female soldiers. It explores the cultural nuances of this tradition, and how it has changed since pre Columbian times.
Pirate Queen of Ireland by Anne Chambers
This book follows the maritime odyssey of the Irish pirate Queen Grace O’Malley. We follow her journeys to Spain at with with England, and her escapades there.
The Queen’s Last Salute by Moupia Basu
This book hits close to home – it is the story of the brave warrior Queen Rani Lakshmi Bai, who went to war clutching her baby after her husband’s death. This book paints the portrait of the 1857 war against the British, from the eyes of a queen and her servant.
The Trung Sisters by Nghia Vo
Nghia Vo’s book brings to life the story of the three Trung sisters of Vietnam who reblled against the Chinese domination of Vietnam.
Nzinga by Moses Howard
This book tells the awesome story of Nzinga, an African warrior queen, and her fight against colonization of her homeland.
The Forgotten Queen by Haley Elizabeth Garwood
This is the first book in the Warrior Queen series, each of whose books captures the untold story of a historical warrior queen. This one is about Empress Matilda of England, and her struggles against politics, a traitor betrothed and more.
Swords Across the Thames by Haley Elizabeth Garwood
This book, the second one in the Warrior Queen series, focuses on a narrative largely eliminated from the Anglo Saxon history. However it lives on in the Irish and Welsh oral history, giving us the wonderful story of Lae, who uses her military prowess to save her country Mercia from the Vikings. She also rears her bastard nephew to be a warrior.
Ashes of Britannia by Haley Elizabeth Garwood
This is the third book in Garwood’s Warrior Queen series. It is the adventurous life story of the Celtic Queen Boadicea, who invaded the Romans and symbolizes freedom today.
Zenobia by Haley Elizabeth Garwood
The last book in the Warrior Queen series follows the inspiring story of Zenobia, a Syrian queen who fights the Romans. The Romans, who are Syrian allies, turn traitors and murder Zenobia’s husband. Instead od wallowing in despair, she sets out to lead an army against them.
Also Read: 15 Best Books On Indian Warriors
