Article first published as Book Review: Scandalous Women: The Lives and Loves of History’s Most Notorious Women by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon on Blogcritics.
“Scandalous Women: The Lives and Loves of History’s Most Notorious Women” by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon (blog | Twitter) is a non-fiction book dedicated to… scandalous women. Each woman is featured in a short biographical chapter.
The publisher has made available one (1) copy of “Scandalous Women” to be given out– enter at the end of the post.
Buy Scandalous Women from Amazon.com*
More Books by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon*
“Scandalous Women” by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon is the kind of book I loved as a young boy. No, not because of the scandalous women, that would come later, but because I always found this format of books fascinating and interesting. These type of short biographies allow me to know about each person and if I want, to research more about them.
Even though I read through this book, it is a book you can just pick up and read, then put down and pick up again a few days later since the chapters are short and are not related to one another. The book is also a must if you ever want to be on “Jeopardy”.
Ms. Mahon’s writing is succinct and she concentrates on the aspect of what made her subject so scandalous. Just keep in mind that the word “scandalous” is in context of the time those women lived in. while in today’s standards they might seem tame, in their lifetime they certainly weren’t.
Each chapter is easy to read and highlights the achievements and prominence of each woman. While the book is by no means a comprehensive biography of its subjects, nor does it claim to be, it is a wonderful introduction to many historical figures.
A special note to the wonderful section headings (Scintillating Seductresses, Amorous Artists, etc.) – that’s something I used to do on my college papers and I appreciate the work, pun, word play and stylized humor wherever I go.
So tell me, who is your favorite scandalous woman and why?
The book is divided into seven sections. Each section is further divided into short chapters featuring a short biography of a scandalous woman.
Section 1: Warrior Queens
Cleopatra, Boudica, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Grace O’Malley
Section 2: Wayward Wives
Émilie du Châtelet, Lady Caroline Lamb, Jane Digby, Violet Trefusis, Zelda Fitzgerald
Section 3: Scintillating Seductresses
Anne Boleyn, Barbara Palmer, Emma Hamilton, Lola Montez, Mata hari
Section 4: Crusading Ladies
Anne Hutchinson, Mary Wollstonecraft, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Carry Nation
Section 5: Wild Women of the West
Mary Ellen Pleasant, Sarah Winnemucca, Calamity Jane, Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor, Margaret Tobin Brown
Section 6: Amorous Artists
Camille Claudel, Isadora Duncan, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Frida Kahlo
Section 7: Amazing Adventuresses
Anne Bonney and Mary Read, Lady Hester Stanhope, Anna Leonowens, Gertrude Bell, Amelia Earhart
Buy Scandalous Women from Amazon.com*
More Books by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon*
Rules:
Congratulations: jmartinez0415@
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read “Scandalous Women”? If so link up your review below:
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I tend to be a sucker for these type of biographical books that deal with one theme. Thanks for the review and the giveaway.
My favorite scandalous woman would be Cleopatra although she would probably just as soon have me killed as be nice to me. But hey, a little danger never hurt anyone...unless you did actually get your head chopped off by Cleopatra.
i'd say Lady Gaga. she has "it".
Yes, she certainly does and good for her.
This book has been on my To Be Read list for awhile now...looks great!
Sounds like a FANTASTIC read - I mean, as scandalous as they may be, these are some prominent figures in history. If I win, though, I'd like for Kimbers10 to (above me) get the copy of the book. I know she's a history buff...and as much as I'd enjoy the book, I am absolutely sure she'd love it and cherish it far more! :D
~Hira~
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I am a history teacher who would love this book!
This book sounds like a delicious read.
This book sounds so great. If you like it, you would probably really enjoy THE BOLTER. Narrative nonfic, and it's really excellent.