The Encyclopedia of Amazons: Women Warriors from Antiquity to the Modern Era by Jessica Salmonson

From the Publisher

A unique and comprehensive encyclopedia of more than 1,000 valiant female combatants who have appeared in history, mythology, and literature from the dawn of history to the present day.

"An excellent piece of scholarly detective work...offers information not found in other reference sources"—Library Journal.

Library Journal

While the words ``amazon'' and ``women warriors'' conjure up images of 1950s B-movies, this is an excellent piece of scholarly detective work. Salmonson defines the term ``amazon'' through Greek mythology and includes only those women who actually participate in direct combat. She excludes from the encyclopedia women who were spies, assassins, famous murderesses or criminals, orators, or hunters. Salmonson provides biographical information on female figures from all time periods, including antiquity, the Middle Ages, and World War II, and from many different parts of the world, including Japan, Asia, Africa, Western Europe, and the United States. Included are real individuals, mythological and fictional characters, goddesses, and archetypes. Based upon primary and secondary works listed in the bibliography, this volume offers information not found in other reference sources and is recommended for all medium-to-large public, university, and college libraries.-- Jenny Presnell, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio

Booknews

A comprehensive alphabetical reference with some 1,000 entries on history's fighting women: amazons, gladiators, martial nuns, warrior queens, maenads, furies, and avenging goddesses. Essentially for browsing, but better than the sensationalistic subject might suggest. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Jill Steinberg - WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women

Usually attributed to aggressive, bold and powerful women, the Amazon archetype is an uncomfortable one in our society. Uncomfortable because it seems so at odds with the image of women as mother or nurturer. That being the case, this book ought to make some heads spin. This is the largest single compilation of women warriors in existence–a roll call of over 1,000 women, from warrior priestesses of thousands of years agoto modern guerilla fighters (although the author favors swordswomen to gunfighters). Some of these women fought for a cause they believed in, some for powerand some for the thrill of the battle. One thing is clear–those who try to pin down women's "true" nature risk losing a limb in the process.

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