Member Reviews
I was totally amazed at how many famous women in London that there were in history. I love learning about women in history that have come before me, who have achieved such greatness. Why do we forget about these women but as for men we never forget. Women have always gets the raw end of the deal. We need to never forget them and what they achieved in history. I would always recommend a book like this...
It’s always nice to have historical nonfiction that tells the stories of women. For centuries the world in general has perpetuated the myth that men were the only people who ever achieved anything, which of course is incorrect.
Women’s London gives you information about some of history’s most famous women, but it also tells you some stories about the lesser-known women in the history of the city. For example, we learn of London’s first female cab driver (women were barred from the profession until 1977!).
While interesting, the copy of the book I read had some very problematic formatting. Even big-name guidebook companies like Lonely Planet struggle to make their ebooks accessible, so that’s no surprise.
An interesting book, with some layout issues that will confuse you.
I'm in charge of an armchair travel club as well as adult programming at my Library. I'd recommend this book through Readers' Advisory, travel-themed events, and Women's History events @ the Public Library.
This book came at the perfect time as my wife and I decided we will travel to England next summer. While our plan is to go all over the country in a pilgrimage to various literary sites, we will definitely spend a lot of time in London where we will use this book and another titled London Curiosities to visit places that may be off the beaten path.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As someone who has previously been to London, this book was fascinating to read as I was able to remember the sights that I had seen along with the facts that this book provides. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in going to London or has already been there.
This a great guide book for those vising London who want to follow in the footsteps of someone of the great women from history within the city. There are a number of walks of varying length tailored relating to specific individuals from history or specific events or movements. It brings to light many women and monuments or references to these women who have been forgotten. A must for those interested in history heading to London.
A very useful and interesting collection of places sharing women's histories in London. A good example to follow by many other big cities too - actually tried to figure out about the similar options in Berlin and the offer is pretty limited. Based on intensive research and a deep knowledge of the women movements and achievements in various domains, not only arts and literature. An useful guide to follow also if you want to experience a different kind of London.
Faszinierende Zusammenstellung von Orten und Plätzen, denen Frauen ihren Stempel aufgedrückt haben. Eine ganz andere Sicht auf die wohlbekannte Hauptstadt. Macht Lust, sich sofort auf die Reise zu begeben, um sich alles vor Ort anzusehen.
Mit sehr schöner Fotoauswahl.
I am obsessed with London and love this take on historical women of significance in London! Recommended to my friend who is spending two weeks in london on externship this summer and will definitely reread as my next trip across the pond gets closer.
Women of London
Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a fascinating and up to date tour of London from the female perspective. That does not mean men will not find it interesting but it highlights the contributions of women. There is a heavy emphasis on women’s rights and on social pioneers but it also covers many fields and does it in easily walkable journeys. To show how modern the perspective is none of the walks would be impossible for people with mobility difficulties.
Naturally I am pleased there is a smattering of royalty as well. I am a Princess and would have found it sorely lacking had royalty not been represented.
If you are planning a trip to London and want to see it through a different lens, this could be your book. It would be best read just before embarking on one of the walks.
I give it four purrs and one paw up.
This guide is a guide about well-known and not so well-known women who have left a mark in London's, British, or even world history.
I've enjoyed browsing through it and will certainly look forward to a print copy, to take with me on my walks through London.
I'm heading to London for a vacation, so I've been checking out different guide books for the past few months. I was excited to read this one, since it is a different take than the usual books. It was neat reading about the various important women in London's history, as well as learning about the Blue Plaques posted on various historic buildings.
However, I was disappointed that the book didn't feature a wider range of women - it seemed to mostly focus on years ranging from mid-1800s through World War II, and then within that, center mostly on Suffragettes, artists, philanthropists, and those in the medical or social work fields. While all of those women are very important and I enjoyed reading about them, what about everyone else? What about all of the women who played major roles in shaping London and England before the 18th century? Boudica, for one - a famous female warrior who died trying to kick the occupying Romans out of Britain - deserved more than a passing mention. I get not wanting to focus the book on "royal women," but the impact they have had can't be discounted. And then, how about more of the famous modern women, or those in other fields, like chefs or athletes? I get that this book can't be everything to everyone, and that inevitably someone will be miffed that their favorite female is left off the list. But if this is to be a guidebook for people who are visiting London, I think focusing a bit less on the more obscure people and places and a bit more on a wider range of women, it would be more compelling and useful.
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
As I am not going to London anytime soon, sadly, I cannot speak to the ease of the works detailed in this book.
Kolsky’s book is a good guide for the important places of woman’s history in London. She gets a massive amount of points for including the author of London A-Z, the street good. For that beginning you know you are in good hands.
The book is roughly divided by City area. Kolsky focuses not just on suffragettes and writers, but on scientists, politicians, warriors. Not all the women included are white (Mary Seacole, for instance, is dealt with). There are detailed sections about Bluestockings and Christie, and other women. There is a slew of lesser known women included and brief bios. There is also a discussion about plaques. I really enjoyed the inclusion of lesser known women.
This book is, at the very least, a really good resource. It is very beautifully designed and packaged. The photography is wonderful.
A very interesting travel guide to London and the places where relevant women lived.
A very good way to discover some less known part of the city and some women who made the history.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Fox Chapel Publishing and Netgalley
This is an interesting book that looks at a lot of sites that have connections to women in London. Some I knew about, but most I haven't heard of. There is lots of information given on all of the individual women and societies set up for women.
The format does seem to switch part way through from described waling routes to descriptions of women and pointing out different places they were connected to, this was a little confusing. There were a fair amount of places mentioned that either had nothing to do with women (usually connected to famous men) or that had very tenuous connections to women.