Band of Sisters Review

Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq by Kirsten Holmstedt

Okay. So if you read this book let me apologize. Somewhere I had read that it was good. I need to hunt that review down because now I’m certain it’s a unicorn. I was so excited to read because I am woefully ignorant about women in combat; I looked forward to hearing women’s stories about their time fighting in Iraq. But as I quickly discovered I wasn’t going to get to hear the women’s voices tell their own stories, but rather I’d hear them through the author’s filter of ”she said, she thought, she did” and that made this book just…bad. The stories were interesting but the way in which it was written impinged upon my ability to enjoy them. The writer sounded like a 14-year-old, there’s no other way to describe it. Each chapter was a different woman’s story, and instead of letting the woman’s voice shine the writer chose to tell their stories for them.

Hell Hath No Fury Indeed

Well, readers- this would be the part where the judge says: “Time for closing arguments” and I scramble to include most of the other random thoughts I’ve had rolling around in my grey matter the last few days regarding our most recent book, Hell Hath No Fury.

As Pamela Moran would say, “Have at it!”

Original Spin Doctors?:  To influence troops and/or public opinion Zenobia, Isabella I of Spain, and Elizabeth I all appeared on horseback and in armor before their troops to both inspire and rally their spirits. (See an excerpt from Elizabeth’s speech included in Wednesday’s post for more on exciting the troops.)

Similarly, Catherine the Great, Matilda, Isabella I, Jinga Mbandi, and Elizabeth I dressed in male attire in battle or for ritual ceremonies. The authors suggest that these women used male attire in order to visually excite their soldiers and comrades, and also to look the part of powerful war leader– and male attire, whether in armor or uniform, was shorthand for that kind of authority.

Wartime Women: HHNF

Let me begin by saying that this book was not what I expected. I think I was looking for more narrative, and what I found instead was an encyclopedia. Which is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it…but how does one review an Encyclopedia? Well, you don’t. And while I’ve already critiqued the authors’ usage of language, I’m feeling less than confrontational this evening, and would rather like to share the authors’ informative mission and ensure that these women’s stories become

“better known…encouraging further reading and stimulating a wider interest in these women and their experiences. Women who have served, fought, and died must be given their due” (xx).

On that note…get ready for me to hit you with some knowledge!

Dearbhfhorgaill
Honestly, I just needed you to know that there was a woman named Dearbhfhorgaill (and she probably suffered from the Boy-Named-Sue syndrome). In 1315 she commanded her own army and “marched against the churches of Drumcliffe and plundered many of its clergy” (xxii) because of their oppressive stance against fighting women.

Fighting Words: HHNF

Whilst reading Hell Hath No Fury, I was happy to notice that some of these women had as much fire in their speech as they packed into their punch– alternately inspiring, enraging, or rallying.  I couldn’t help but take note and pass along these few that stood out to me.  Did somebody say soundbite?

Louise Michel, “The Red Virgin” (1830-1905): Defending her part in the burning of Paris: “I wanted to oppose the Versailles invaders with a barrier of flames…Since it appears that every heart that beats for freedom has no right to anything but a slug of lead, I demand my share. If you let me live, I shall never cease to cry for vengeance. If you are not cowards, kill me.”