What do you think?
Rate this book
Women In War : A Gripping Collection of the Untold True Stories of History's Bravest Women Warriors
"In the shadows of history's greatest conflicts, women have always been warriors—yet their stories remain untold. Women in War uncovers over twenty raw, true accounts of the fearless women who fought and served, from ancient battlefields to the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Step into their combat nurses dodging gunfire, spies sabotaging enemies, soldiers enduring unimaginable loss. Facing sexism, trauma, and overwhelming odds, these heroines reveal that true valor beats in the heart, not just on the battlefield.
Brought to life through meticulous research and exclusive firsthand interviews by retired police officer and acclaimed author David Yuzuk, this intimate collection honors the unbreakable spirit of military women. Narrated by Julia Whelan, the voice behind the New York Times bestseller The Women by Kristin Hannah, it's a profound tribute to the unsung forces who shaped our world."
“Gripping stories of female heroism that will awe and inspire.”
—NY Times bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo
“I thought I was going to die that day! The Viet Cong launched a brutal attack, and the explosion hit like a freight train, its deafening roar slamming into my ears just seconds before the shockwave hurled us off our feet, Doors were ripped from their hinges, and windows were shattered into a thousand pieces.
“The pandemonium jolted me back to reality. I grabbed my flak jacket and sprinted to the Intensive Care Unit. Were the enemy already inside our perimeter, AK-47s in hand, bayonets fixed? It didn’t matter. My mission was clear — Protect the soldiers in my care. They came first, no matter what.”
—67th Evac Nurse Ginny Dornheggen
Step into their combat nurses dodging gunfire, spies sabotaging enemies, soldiers enduring unimaginable loss. Facing sexism, trauma, and overwhelming odds, these heroines reveal that true valor beats in the heart, not just on the battlefield.
Brought to life through meticulous research and exclusive firsthand interviews by retired police officer and acclaimed author David Yuzuk, this intimate collection honors the unbreakable spirit of military women. Narrated by Julia Whelan, the voice behind the New York Times bestseller The Women by Kristin Hannah, it's a profound tribute to the unsung forces who shaped our world."
“Gripping stories of female heroism that will awe and inspire.”
—NY Times bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo
“I thought I was going to die that day! The Viet Cong launched a brutal attack, and the explosion hit like a freight train, its deafening roar slamming into my ears just seconds before the shockwave hurled us off our feet, Doors were ripped from their hinges, and windows were shattered into a thousand pieces.
“The pandemonium jolted me back to reality. I grabbed my flak jacket and sprinted to the Intensive Care Unit. Were the enemy already inside our perimeter, AK-47s in hand, bayonets fixed? It didn’t matter. My mission was clear — Protect the soldiers in my care. They came first, no matter what.”
—67th Evac Nurse Ginny Dornheggen
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2024
508 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 22, 2025
“A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” − Eleanor Roosevelt
This account from women in WW1 all the way to the current situation in the middle east highlights what all women know to be true: we are fucking rock stars when you put us to the test, and we get shit done. The end.
5 stars
This account from women in WW1 all the way to the current situation in the middle east highlights what all women know to be true: we are fucking rock stars when you put us to the test, and we get shit done. The end.
5 stars
June 19, 2025
This would ordinarily be a 3 ⭐️ read for me but have to give it 5 ⭐️ in honor of the women who served in all wars and in all capacities. The book is a collection of vignettes. Each tells a story… a personal and poignant story. Written in language like a report, without emotion, it allows you to feel nonetheless. As a nurse , I have always been interested in the nurses who served, especially Viet Nam. The author moves through the various wars and shifts from the nurses to include a medic and the women in combat…it underscores the significance of war and the honor these women and all men and women who served and continue to serve.
April 19, 2025
Excellent variety of accounts from women who served in various capacities in War. The author allows their stories to be presented as though they are sitting with you telling you in casual yet poignant conversation. A must read for any nurse who is interested in the history of military nurses.
October 3, 2025
powerful!!
Read
March 13, 2025A good companion to “The Women,” especially the first few chapters with their focus on nurses in Vietnam.
July 9, 2025
This book needs an editor. Two editors actually - one to fix all the typos, duplicate sentences, missing words, etc. And one to help these women make their stories more readable.
The content is fabulous. The writing is poor.
The content is fabulous. The writing is poor.
June 7, 2025
Gripping. I read the paperback version. I read the book in 24 hrs.
May 31, 2025
Women in War
It is hard to read about war.
It was uplifting to learn about brave women .
Very gripping story to read.
It is hard to read about war.
It was uplifting to learn about brave women .
Very gripping story to read.
May 25, 2025
A must read
A well told book of the incredible women who risk their lives so that others may live. Nurses. There aren't enough words to thank them.
A well told book of the incredible women who risk their lives so that others may live. Nurses. There aren't enough words to thank them.
May 7, 2025
So worth reading - courage has no gender
I have now read three books by this author. They provide a story that needs to be told. He may not be the most skilled writer, but he tells the stories we need to hear. In the first segment, I stopped repeatedly to think, "How does anyone, man or woman, deal with an encounter like this?" I hope I have that kind of courage, but I know for certain it has never been tested.
I have now read three books by this author. They provide a story that needs to be told. He may not be the most skilled writer, but he tells the stories we need to hear. In the first segment, I stopped repeatedly to think, "How does anyone, man or woman, deal with an encounter like this?" I hope I have that kind of courage, but I know for certain it has never been tested.
August 19, 2025
My dad surprised me with this book on a whim, and though nonfiction isn’t usually my go-to escape (real life is dramatic enough, thank you very much), he was absolutely right—I devoured it.
As a former surgical nurse with a deep respect for our military service members, this one hit me straight in the heart. I found myself tearing up three separate times in the very first chapter. Reading about these women—nurses who served with grace, grit, and a kind of courage that takes your breath away—was humbling in a way that’s hard to put into words.
What struck me most was how they lived out the Nightingale pledge—not as some stiff recitation, but in the flesh, in the fire, and in the quiet strength of service. I felt this strange, beautiful kinship with them. My work as a nurse was nowhere near their battlefield reality, but in some quiet corner of my soul I found myself whispering, I see you. Thank you. You led the way for us.
Unlike the flashy, Hollywood version of “strong women” we’re so often fed, these were the real deal. They weren’t out to prove themselves by besting men or demanding applause. They were humble, steady, and utterly unshakable—even when history didn’t pin medals to their uniforms. And when recognition did finally come, they accepted it not with vanity, but with grace.
One of the most moving threads in the book was the push—especially during the Vietnam era—for a memorial to honor these nurses. It wasn’t done with shouting or demands for validation, but with love for fellow sisters who gave everything and asked for nothing. Honestly, it was such a breath of fresh air to read about women embracing their God-given strength in ways only they could, and doing it all without losing the softness of their womanhood.
This book reminded me of why I became a nurse in the first place. The sacrifice, the quiet bravery, the sheer spirit these women carried—it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. And I’m so proud to know their stories exist, not just as history, but as a legacy.
As a former surgical nurse with a deep respect for our military service members, this one hit me straight in the heart. I found myself tearing up three separate times in the very first chapter. Reading about these women—nurses who served with grace, grit, and a kind of courage that takes your breath away—was humbling in a way that’s hard to put into words.
What struck me most was how they lived out the Nightingale pledge—not as some stiff recitation, but in the flesh, in the fire, and in the quiet strength of service. I felt this strange, beautiful kinship with them. My work as a nurse was nowhere near their battlefield reality, but in some quiet corner of my soul I found myself whispering, I see you. Thank you. You led the way for us.
Unlike the flashy, Hollywood version of “strong women” we’re so often fed, these were the real deal. They weren’t out to prove themselves by besting men or demanding applause. They were humble, steady, and utterly unshakable—even when history didn’t pin medals to their uniforms. And when recognition did finally come, they accepted it not with vanity, but with grace.
One of the most moving threads in the book was the push—especially during the Vietnam era—for a memorial to honor these nurses. It wasn’t done with shouting or demands for validation, but with love for fellow sisters who gave everything and asked for nothing. Honestly, it was such a breath of fresh air to read about women embracing their God-given strength in ways only they could, and doing it all without losing the softness of their womanhood.
This book reminded me of why I became a nurse in the first place. The sacrifice, the quiet bravery, the sheer spirit these women carried—it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. And I’m so proud to know their stories exist, not just as history, but as a legacy.
August 13, 2025
Women in War: A Gripping Collection of the Untold True Stories of History’s Bravest Women Warriors by David Yuzuk is an engrossing compilation of twenty-plus women warriors who served their countries during war time.
Many of the brave women featured were nurses. A couple of examples cited were women who served as far back as the Civil War. In the first and second World Wars, some women worked for the effort as spies or ambulance drivers. In that time period, women nurses often worked in trenches or ditches, patching up soldiers before they could be transferred to hospitals. In Korea roughly 7,000 women were healthcare professionals. Some Army nurses served in Mobile Army Surgical Hospital or M.A.S.H. units. In Vietnam, 11,000 nurses served the wounded. They worked 16-hour shifts, six days a week. They had to learn to separate professionalism from emotions, and act quickly, despite their own fears of survival. Many returned home with PTSD from the horrors they dealt with.
In addition to those cited above, women have played and continue to engage in significant roles in wars and conflicts: Grenada, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In more recent years, women have served as pilots, particularly Navy pilots. Numerous women soldiers have served in the field alongside men counterparts, many receiving medals for their bravery.
Author David Yuzuk, a retired police officer, has done a remarkable job documenting various women warriors who served their countries in many different capacities. In some instances, sections are written by the warriors themselves. In other cases extensive research has revealed extreme bravery shown in the face of danger or even death. Many of the accounts are harrowing. Women in War is a truly gripping collection of stories about some of history’s bravest women warriors.
Many of the brave women featured were nurses. A couple of examples cited were women who served as far back as the Civil War. In the first and second World Wars, some women worked for the effort as spies or ambulance drivers. In that time period, women nurses often worked in trenches or ditches, patching up soldiers before they could be transferred to hospitals. In Korea roughly 7,000 women were healthcare professionals. Some Army nurses served in Mobile Army Surgical Hospital or M.A.S.H. units. In Vietnam, 11,000 nurses served the wounded. They worked 16-hour shifts, six days a week. They had to learn to separate professionalism from emotions, and act quickly, despite their own fears of survival. Many returned home with PTSD from the horrors they dealt with.
In addition to those cited above, women have played and continue to engage in significant roles in wars and conflicts: Grenada, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In more recent years, women have served as pilots, particularly Navy pilots. Numerous women soldiers have served in the field alongside men counterparts, many receiving medals for their bravery.
Author David Yuzuk, a retired police officer, has done a remarkable job documenting various women warriors who served their countries in many different capacities. In some instances, sections are written by the warriors themselves. In other cases extensive research has revealed extreme bravery shown in the face of danger or even death. Many of the accounts are harrowing. Women in War is a truly gripping collection of stories about some of history’s bravest women warriors.
September 15, 2025
This is an excellent telling of extraordinary women’s stories, women who didn’t see themselves that way. These are the role models our young women need to look to, those that serve selflessly - & serving doesn’t have to be in the military, there are doctors, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, etc. Serving means taking care of others, it requires sacrifice - which is so far from what young people are taught in this day & age.
I knew of some of these women, I read the biography of Virginia Hall, I’d heard of Edith Cavel - just those two & what they accomplished is mind boggling, especially since women were (& still are in some respects) considered the weaker sex, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
I recommended to my son, who is a combat veteran from the 82nd Airborne, read this. I kept texting him snippets & he will probably read it.
My only issue with the book, at all, is the editing. The commas, the story breaks (why could be because it’s an e-book), the typos.
Other than that - I can’t recommend this book strongly enough!
I knew of some of these women, I read the biography of Virginia Hall, I’d heard of Edith Cavel - just those two & what they accomplished is mind boggling, especially since women were (& still are in some respects) considered the weaker sex, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
I recommended to my son, who is a combat veteran from the 82nd Airborne, read this. I kept texting him snippets & he will probably read it.
My only issue with the book, at all, is the editing. The commas, the story breaks (why could be because it’s an e-book), the typos.
Other than that - I can’t recommend this book strongly enough!
August 24, 2025
Valor And Bravery Doesn’t Depend On Gender
Occasionally, as a 74 year old man, I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and grumble about the state of gender in our country - in today’s atmosphere it is fine to have female umpires and coaches for men’s sports teams but men coaching, training or broadcasting women’s teams or athletes is seen by many as sexist and wrong. It’s hard to be a man in the modern era.
But this book puts all that political nonsense in perspective. Patriotism, heroism and gallantry know no gender and never have. The best of humanity isn’t determined by X or Y chromosomes.
The women who are subjects of this book showed the best of us in the worst of circumstances.
I’m very glad this books honors them. It should serve to broaden all our minds about grace under pressure.
Occasionally, as a 74 year old man, I wake up on the wrong side of the bed and grumble about the state of gender in our country - in today’s atmosphere it is fine to have female umpires and coaches for men’s sports teams but men coaching, training or broadcasting women’s teams or athletes is seen by many as sexist and wrong. It’s hard to be a man in the modern era.
But this book puts all that political nonsense in perspective. Patriotism, heroism and gallantry know no gender and never have. The best of humanity isn’t determined by X or Y chromosomes.
The women who are subjects of this book showed the best of us in the worst of circumstances.
I’m very glad this books honors them. It should serve to broaden all our minds about grace under pressure.
August 31, 2025
This book is exciting, horrifying and everything in between . Each individual experienced life a bit differently but yet all the same. War is terrible and learning more about Vietnam especially, was very interesting to me. I didn’t join the military until a few years later. God bless all who have served and are still serving, active, retired and those still suffering from their time spent in the military.
July 22, 2025
Excellent read
There are so many untold stories about war. I’m glad someone made the effort to shine a light on these heroines. No one wins in a war except the people that make all the equipment to fight one. Let’s stop the insanity and have our generals fight the enemy’s general and then everyone go to a pub/bar and tell tall stories. Save the young people’s lives.
There are so many untold stories about war. I’m glad someone made the effort to shine a light on these heroines. No one wins in a war except the people that make all the equipment to fight one. Let’s stop the insanity and have our generals fight the enemy’s general and then everyone go to a pub/bar and tell tall stories. Save the young people’s lives.
May 17, 2025
Women In War were dedicated to serve and Save lives
War stories of women in war will make you smile and cry. Many served with a passion to save lives and give hope for those who in wars around the world. My hat is off to all of them.
War stories of women in war will make you smile and cry. Many served with a passion to save lives and give hope for those who in wars around the world. My hat is off to all of them.
July 13, 2025
Incredible!!!
This was such a wonderful read! I'm fascinated with history and the military. Reading about women who have served in battle is so awe-inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time.
This was such a wonderful read! I'm fascinated with history and the military. Reading about women who have served in battle is so awe-inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time.
October 24, 2025
Wonderful stories about amazing heroes! I'd need to do more research, but some of the stories about the Vietnam War nurses sound like they were the inspiration for parts of The Women by Kristen Hannah. These are stories that NEED to be told.
July 2, 2025
WOW. all I can say is WOW. The Women was fiction; this is the non-fiction that give credibility to that work. I couldn't put it down - spellbinding and heartbreaking.
July 3, 2025
amazing women in war
Excellent book, so many amazing women that made a huge difference in the world. True heroes. Their bravery and courage and compassion is amazing.
Excellent book, so many amazing women that made a huge difference in the world. True heroes. Their bravery and courage and compassion is amazing.
July 4, 2025
Learned a lot reading this book. After reading "The Women" this book gave me a different perspective. It is not very well written but educational.
July 5, 2025
Good Read
A good book, but a lot of editorial mistakes, like grammar and spelling, but you can overlook it because it’s a good read.
A good book, but a lot of editorial mistakes, like grammar and spelling, but you can overlook it because it’s a good read.
July 8, 2025
victorious women warriors
Great book on the women who fought along side the men of war. Thanks for honoring the brave women who lived and died for their country.
Great book on the women who fought along side the men of war. Thanks for honoring the brave women who lived and died for their country.
September 2, 2025
For the stories of the women I gave a four rating. However, the writing and editing was poor to the point of distraction.
September 16, 2025
Well written, a number of very well told, concise stories describing true heroes.
Read
September 18, 2025If this is only about USA women in war, I will not bother to read it.
September 28, 2025
While the history, stories are excellent-these women deserve to be applauded-, the writing is sadly pedestrian. As a woman vet, I was looking for more contemporary bios, too. Very disappointing.
October 20, 2025
Absolutely incredible and inspirational stories that had me gasping and crying. The Vietnam nurses that met their patients years later really hit me in the feels.
October 23, 2025
I love Audiobooks on CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews