Sunday, May 31

Book Review: Scandalous Women by Elizabeth Kerri Mahon



Author: Elizabeth Kerri Mahon
Title: Scandalous Women
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Format: paperback
Pages: 304
Published: January 4, 2011
Where I got It: My shelf (Gift)

Summary: 
Throughout history women have caused wars, defied the rules, and brought men to their knees. The famous and the infamous, queens, divorcées, actresses, and outlaws have created a ruckus during their lifetimes-turning heads while making waves. Scandalous Women tells the stories of the risk takers who have flouted convention, beaten the odds, and determined the course of world events.




Review:
I love to read a couple of nonfiction books a year. I like learning, and it helps my brain reset in some strange way. 

Here, we have a collection of biographies about "scandalous" women throughout history. We get little snips about the lives of these women. 

The author had a decent selection of women. They all made a splash somehow, and it was interesting seeing them hold their own in a male-dominated world. From spies to seductresses to divorcees to geniuses. It was nice. 

The tone made it interesting. It wasn't some stuffy and boring historical textbook. There was flair, and I appreciated it!! It made it fun. 

I would've liked a little more depth. I like the fluffy and light, don't get me wrong, but I would've liked maybe an analysis or something at the end of each section, or something. 

Also, I think I would've liked to see more women from different countries. We had the atypical US, UK, France, etc. And the time period was roughly the same for these women. Yes, we did get Cleopatra and a few medieval, but it seemed the majority seemed to be women between 1820 to 1920. Sure, some sprinkles, but I would've liked other stories too from women in other countries and time period that are looked over in our history. 

Other than that, I did like it. It was quick and informational. It was nice reading about women who didn't live their lives by the status quo of the time. I'll give this 3 stars. 






8 comments:

Jen Twimom said...

I don't read non-fiction very much either.

Anonymous said...

It’s not letting me connect, to go off anon lol but this was one I thrifted and gave to you! :)
- Autumn

Carole Rae said...

Jen, I used to read more back in school but I try to read one or two once in a while.

AUTUMN!!!!! You are so right. I was literally just staring at the book when it came to typing up where it came from. I literally couldn't remember. I drew a TOTAL blank. Thank you! I'll update the post. LOVE YOUUUU!

Northwoman said...

Interesting topic for non-fiction.

Anne - Books of My Heart

Blodeuedd said...

More countries would have been good

Carole Rae said...

Anne, it was nice!

B, agreed. I know there are a lot of women all over the world that were scandalous!

Sophia Rose said...

I find non-fiction a good re-set for my mind, too. Even better when the topic is an area of interest like these gutsy ladies. :)

Carole Rae said...

Yesss! I love a good non-fiction once in a while.