This is difficult to review because, while I loved the artwork and the lovely cover, some of the historic people that were featured in this book are very controversial. Many of them are not fit to be held up as role models for young girls!

Pirates, shady politicians, drug addicts, tyrants from Ancient History, and downright gross people; I counted 19 bios out of 100 that I had serious problems with, and which I would never allow a child to read about.

I liked the bios of the decent people, like Helen Keller, the Bronte sisters, Amelia Earhart, Ada Lovelace, Rosa Parks, and others. However, I felt that some of those bios left out points that ought to have been emphasized, or emphasized points that I thought were inconsequential, or portrayed a mixed message of the person’s life.

Most of the writing was skewed to a certain political viewpoint that doesn’t give a complete picture of the person’s achievements or what their life meant in influencing history. I could barely enjoy the good parts of this book because of so many misdirections and illusions about what these good people stood for and what made them famous. And I really didn’t enjoy the bios of the people I don’t admire, because the writing covered up the true nature of their corrupt lives. 

Some historic figures that I expected to see in the book were missing too; people like Mother Teresa and Amy Carmichael who saved thousands of children’s lives.

One thing is for certain, both in the bios chosen to be included and in the way those bios are written, there is a definite political message in this book. This writing is so biased it cannot be called historical writing.

These are NOT just some great stories of role models to inspire girls to do amazing things and never give up and believe in themselves. These are stories that send out a very particular philosophic message, and I’ll just say, it’s not a traditional message. I don’t think it’s a healthy message.For example, just because you’re a world-famous architect, does that give you the right to throw a fit if your plane is late and make everyone in the airport move your baggage and change your ticket? Apparently, yes. That is called “crossing boundaries” and “forging your own pathway”.
“Getting your own way” is desirable and laudable, according to the authors.
< sarcasm> I guess if you’re special then you deserve special treatment. That’s a great lesson for young ladies to learn! <end sarcasm>
What a way to go down in history for throwing a fit in an airport! In a one-page bio of your life, people will know that you designed great buildings and you were a selfish pain in the butt with no regard for others.
And that is praised in this book!!
And this is only the least offensive example I could give!

Many of the bios include things similar to this that are celebrated as a woman “being a rebel” or gaining her independence or fighting the system or something. This is not the type of bad behavior that inspires me. You can change the world without being rude about it.

It saddens me to think that these are the sort of people that are held up in front of us as having led lives that we should emulate.

I support independent and strong women, but not like this. Not these women. Not this propaganda.