This book is really a collection of essays concerning Amazons. Although the book begins with the myths and legends of the Amazons of the Ancient Greeks the author really expands the myths to South America, Russia, and Asia. I enjoyed some of the essays but others were dry and repetitious. The book could have been better organized and edited. Overall the book is an interesting look at a often hidden aspect of women's history.

This book was more than I thought it would be! Besides just tracing the potential sources of the ancient Greek myth of the Amazons - the all-female society of warriors - this book traced the waxing and waning of the myth throughout the centuries, explained how the Amazon river got its name, how the legendary horseback archery skills of the Amazons and other horse tribes of the Steppes have made a resurgence, and explored female warrior societies/groups in the recent past (including an army of vicious warrior women in 1800s Africa, and the feared and famed "Night Witches" female pilots of the Soviet military during WWII).

There were a few tangents and rabbit holes that took the book off course and didn't add much/weren't relevant to the purpose of the book, and some portions were pretty wordy. But overall, a really interesting read that I learned a lot from.

Fantastically written!

This book takes on the history, or lack thereof, of the women of the Amazon. I enjoyed the read! Not only do you get the myths, the legends, and the stories passed down, but what history is there is shared. John Man did a great job with this book, and I look forward to getting a hard copy of this book, to re-read and make notes in the margins! Great jumping off book for those who are looking to do some research or wanting to gain a deeper understanding of these warrior women.

DNF: I waited too long to read the book and it has expired so I cannot read it.

Wealth of information. However the writing style and organization left a lot to be desired actually made it hard to read.

Thanks Pegasus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

New take on the Amazons, their culture, and their impact on society still ongoing today.