The bestselling, critically acclaimed women's history from blockbuster author Philippa Gregory - adapted for teen readers!

Today, when we think of women of the past, we often think of the 1800s and 1900s - crinolines and stage coaches, bonnets and balls - a time when women were told they were naturally inferior to men, and must stay at home while men went out to work and have fun.

HUGE MISTAKE! There is so much more to women's history than bonnets and big dresses! Ordinary women have been doing extraordinary things FOR EVER - it just didn't make the history books (written by men!).

Join multi-award-winning author Philippa Gregory as she tells the story of ordinary English women, making history for 900 years. Meet farmers, highwaywomen, pirates, 'female husbands', slaves, soldiers, criminals, writers, inventors, rioters and more - protesting, working, playing, taking risks, getting rich (and getting even!). Their story is one of ingenuity, diversity, rebellion, survival - and sisterhood.

Illustrated throughout by award-winning printmaker Alexis Snell.

PRAISE FOR NORMAL WOMEN (adult edition):

A NEW STATESMEN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023

'A lasting work of social history' THE TIMES

'A genuinely new history of our nation' DAN JONES

'This celebration of women is a triumph of popular history' SPECTATOR

'Philippa Gregory uses all her bestseller skills to weave a narrative with pace' ANTONIA FRASER

'You'll lose count of the number of things you learn about women and their skewed place in history ... the book reframes the past ... an essential read' INDEPENDENT, FIVE-STAR REVIEW

An eye-opening book of historical non-fiction for teens from the number one bestselling author

About the Author

Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of historical novels and middle-grade fiction for children. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from the University of Edinburgh. Works that have been adapted for television include A Respectable Trade, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool. The Other Boleyn Girl is now a major film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and Eric Bana. Philippa Gregory lives in the North of England with her family.

Reviews

'We all know the quote 'he who owns the narrative controls the story' So much of our history has been led and told by men. Gregory rewrites 900 years of history and reveals a path women can be proud of, and build from. What could be more uplifting and empowering?' - Edwina Dunn, founder of The Female Lead

'This is redemption for the unsung female heroes lost through time. Prepared to feel aghast, proud and inspired when reading this book. Philippa Gregory is more than an author, she is warrior for the 'normal', the ordinary, a disruptor who refuses to be silenced, with her pen in hand she has 'slayed' once again.' - Geri Haliwell

Book Information
ISBN 9780008622985
Author Philippa Gregory
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Red Shed
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 159mm * 21mm