Battle Cries and Lullabies: Women in War from Prehistory to the Present

This book is superbly poslished. I recommend that this book be an introductory text for courses in military history, women's history, and even peace studies. Much of our historical documents are written from a perspective that ignores the contributions of women and people of color. Unfortunately, when a history that does not marginalize these narratives is created, this is often seen as not 'legitimate' or 'fictional'. This is the nature of power within knowledge management, but this can be challenged when we encourage alternative stories to be heeded. Alternative stories are not any less real--they have simply been silenced throughout the telling and retelling of stories and Grandnarrativity. Linda Grant de Pauw writes from a refreshingly radical perspective which throws into confusion the comforting tales of male-only martial valor. Warriordom must be necessarily told as exclsuively a male domain in order to maintain the good order of male-supremacy. This brave, courageous, and polished text confronts the colonizing narratives which seek to uphold women with the exclusively female roles of weakness, carnality, and lack. Dr. De Pauw does not try and cast women as 'men', but women as women who have also partook in good and evil, sin and suffering, peace and violence.

I'd like to agree with the reviewer who noted that men's military menoirs are considered legitimate, while women's are considered to be antecdotal. Frankly, I'm still trying to completely understand why so many people consider the idea that a woman could be a successful soldier, so threatening. This book is not revisionist history- had the author attempted to claim that these wars had never occurred, or that all soldiers were women, than yes, it would be revisionist. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in military issues, feminism, women's issues, or history in general.

Linda Grant De Pauw does a superb job with this engaging account of the History of Women in War. You will find, while reading it, that you annoy anybody within earshot as it is full of interesting facts forcing "do you know's..." every once in a while. For example, do you know the origin of the term 'guerrilla warfare?...'You will find the explanation to this and countless other little mysteries within the pages of this book. There have been other books written on the same topic, for example 'Women Warriors' by Anthropologist David E.Jones, but none with the page turning, readable quality of 'Battle Cries and Lullabies.' If there is ever a time when Women and Warfare is considered a subject worthy of it's own course in the University then Battle Cries and Lullabies would be the perfect textbook. A lively, interesting and colorful account of a much neglected part of world History.

This is a well researched and well written accounting of the different roles women have historically played in times of war. It's VERY readable and chocked full of interesting facts and women who have made an impact on the history of warfare and the world. Prior knowledge of battles or warfare in general is not necessary to fully appreciate this fine work!