14 Books About Lesser-Known Women's History

In just over 300 pages, author Saidiya Hartman retells a forgotten history that takes place in early 20th century Philadelphia and New York. Her book revives the lives of the young black women in these cities, delving into then-taboo subjects like queer relationships, dating around, and parenting as a single mother. Ultimately, Hartman’s book questions traditional societal standards for women and what exactly the idea of a “free life” truly means.

Challenging gender stereotypes and defying societal norms, Elizabeth Salas’ non-fiction book Soldaderas in the Mexican Military tells the story of Mexican female warriors during the country’s many bloody conflicts. She explores their world and analyzes their contributions and subsequent legacies, which have since been erased, forgotten, or romanticized to fit a particular narrative. When it comes to being equal with their male counterparts, no one stands in the way of a soldadera.

Beloved by some of the most powerful people in the world, Mineko Iwasaki’s autobiography Geisha, a Life reveals a never-before-told story of what life was really like as a classically trained geisha. Just shy of 300 pages, Iwasaki retells her life’s story, from her origins to her retirement and all the secrets in between. Through her novel, she provides a vessel for true geisha story, one that is often dramaticized for the sake of entertainment.

Jane Sherron De Hart spent approximately fifteen years crafting the first full biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Nearly 800 pages long, this book is an in-depth look at RBG’s life through interviews with the justice’s family, friends, colleagues, and narratives from RBG herself. Considered to be one of the most profound legal minds of modern day America, Ruth Bader Ginsburg takes an unflinching look at how the woman of the same name achieved such success in a primarily male-dominated career field.

A New York Times bestseller, Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot is a heart-wrenching memoir told through a series of essays. Although not a history of indigenous women in its entirety, Heart Berries puts an undeniable spotlight on the trials and oppression of modern Native women. Her memoir includes a poignant statement on the continued colonization of Native women and an attempt to shine a light on the not-so-secret harm colonialist structures causes First Nations Peoples.

The name says it all. Antonia Fraser’s near 400-page non-fiction book ignores the patriarchy and delves into the mostly untold stories of female rulers and commanders that transformed countries through their fearless leadership. From Njinga Mbandi of Angola to Indira Gandhi, Fraser gives each heroine in her novel the respect they deserve, myths and glamorizations aside.

History meets feminist gender studies class in Rosalind Miles’ book Who Cooked the Last Supper. Miles uses sharp wit and thorough research to rewrite history sans male biases. Unafraid to tear into barbarous societal norms or give heroic women their due process, Miles’ book manages to shed light on both the injustices and achievements of women throughout antiquity.

Kate Moore’s The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women shines light on the true story of the women working in radium-dial plants. Covered in the glowing chemical, one by one these women fell ill and became unwitting victims in a major workplace rights scandal. It's also approved by Emma Watson’s feminist book club.

For the true crime aficionados among us, Tori Telfer’s Lady Killers brings women to the forefront of some of history’s most gruesome murders. Often overlooked in favor of their male counterparts, Telfer’s book delves into the wickedness of some of the most prolific female serial killers from around the world. Stripping away dramatic romanticization and unnecessary occult labels from these lady killers, this non-fiction book reevaluates each crime through a feminist lens, removing gender norms and untrue rumors to get to the cold hard truth: These women were sadistic, plain and simple.

Written by activist Andrea J. Ritchie, Invisible No More couldn’t be a more fitting book discussing today’s political climate. With a focus on the way black women and women of color are affected by police brutality, racial profiling, and immigration enforcement in their daily lives, Invisible No More confronts society’s policing of these women. Throughout the book, Ritchie uses the stories of Sandra Bland, Monica Jones, and more to demand change.

The Glass Universe is the perfect non-fiction read for anyone who loved Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures. Based on the true story of the first female astronomers to help chart the stars at Harvard College Observatory during the mid-19th century, Dava Sobel takes a look back at the notable achievements and crucial roles female astronomers played in the scientific understanding of the stars above us.

Nina Ansary's Anonymous Is a Woman takes on institutionalized gender discrimination over the course of 4,000 years. Dr. Ansary, who is an award-winning author and women's rights advocate, jumps into the world of gender inequality and attempts to reset historical biases against women with the biographical profiles of fifty women from across the globe. All proceeds from the sale of Ansary's book will go to charitable organizations and institutions that support female equality.