Product Description

Some were feisty and fiery. Others were cool and dangerous. All were incredibly courageous. Outrageous Women of The Middle Ages took on the challenge of their world—and didn't worry about ruffling a few feathers.

Among the outrageous women you'll meet are:

• Eleanor of Aquitaine—queen of France and later England, she led a group of women on the Second Crusade and created her own financial system
• Lady Murasaki Shikibu—besides being a wife and mother, she learned the "forbidden" language of Chinese and wrote the world's first novel
• Aud the Deep-Minded—a Viking wise woman and explorer who led her clan, grandchildren and all, on a risky voyage from Scotland to Iceland
• Hildegarde of Bingen—the German nun who, late in life, became a composer, a botanist, and founded convents
• Damia al-Kahina—a nomadic freedom fighter, skilled at peacemaking and war, who kept her North African homeland free

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #468127 in Books
• Published on: 1998-02-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-10-As she did in Outrageous Women of Ancient Times (Wiley, 1997), Leon again uses lively prose and modern comparisons to make the past understandable to young people. "When religion was the only game in town," readers learn, Hildegard of Bingen lived "in a gloomy torch-lit room about the size of a breakfast nook." The author's characteristic blend of playful language and historical accuracy tells of a Viking killed by a severed head, a queen who knew the meaning of congregating frogs, and much more. The stories and sidebars provide a detailed picture of the times. It is rare to see a book about the Middle Ages that presents such diversity. The women profiled lived in the 6th through 14th centuries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their spheres included everything from astronomy to warfare. They were nomads and empresses. The list for further reading is impressive; the black-and-white drawings and reproductions are appropriate for the text. Patrons who found Karen Cushman's Catherine Called Birdy (1994) and The Midwife's Apprentice (1995, both Clarion) interesting will find this book fascinating.
Rebecca O'Connell, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The history of the Middle Ages generally presents the brave deeds of men, and Len, through painstaking and thorough research, presents the stories of 14 influential women of Europe, Africa, and the Far East, from 500 b.c. through a.d. 1500. Among them is Aud, a Viking woman from Norway, who, as a grandmother, moved her family to Iceland in a boat built of oak and pine; Matilda, of England, who fought ``to win over the majority of English vassals''; Eleanor of Aquitaine, ``the most celebrated queen of the Middle Ages''; Hildegard of Bingen, who possessed vast visions and spiritual gifts; Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the prophet Mohammed; and Murasaki Shikibu, of Japan, who wrote The Tale of Genji. Detracting from the inherently fascinating material is the author's regular use of contemporary slang``tough cookies,'' ``trotted the globe,'' ``grandkids,'' ``bum's rush,'' ``[marriage] on the rocks,'' ``whippersnapper,'' ``eggheads and nerds,'' etc.which may prevent the book from withstanding the test of time. (b&w illustrations, maps, chronology, further reading) (Nonfiction. 11-13) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From the Publisher
Look at the history books of the middle ages and you'll find nary a woman. But contrary to popular belief, women of the Middle Ages did not simply sit around on their tuffets, waiting for knights in shining armor. These are the stories of 15 such women who defied the conventions of the times. They include the world's first novelist, Lady Murasaki of Japan; and the Deep-Minded, the Viking woman who led her people's emigration from Ireland to Iceland; Eleanor of Aquitaine; and Hildegarde of Bingen, a healer, composer, playwright, botanist, and political/religious activist from Germany.

Customer Reviews

A Fun, Kinda' Silly, Useful Book!
This is yet another fine history book by the fabulous author, Vicki Leon. I have all of her books and always look forward to her newest ones. This one will be loved by children and it is exactly the kind of book that kids like. Who says history can't be fun? With Leon, all of histry is a riot! I liked it a lot and so did my children.

Wonderfully Outrageous!
An anthology of Medieval Women who accomplished great things during their lives. My favorite is Trotula Platearius, an Italian woman, (around 1050-1080). She studied at the University of Salerno (the Johns Hopkins of her day) and became a doctor. She specialized in women's health after realizing that many women would rather suffer than explain their problems to a man. She originated many techniques for surgeries, and she noticed that good hygiene kept patients alive longer. Trotula wrote many books which were hand-copied, translated, and used all over Europe. 2.Outrageous Women of the Middle Ages is very well done. The women are arranged by the area in which they lived, each unit has a map of the area. There are great information boxes to help explain points and places of importance. The back of the book has suggested reading, with a note about the primary resources for the book. There is also a timeline on the very last page placing the women in chronological order. If I were to use this book in an upper elementary or lower middle school classroom, I would let students read about one or two women and research her more in depth. I would also use this book to get children interested in biographies.

Feminism
This book is about women in the middle ages who were under twenty and had significant recognition in the outside world. It is appropriate for readers of all ages. Its content being educational and yet fun. Its subjects vary in greatness and culture, having everyone from infamous to famous characters who left written records. Their achievements have helped to modernize the role of women.