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Sisters of Scandal: Mind-blowing tales of history's boldest and baddest women
Did you know that women occupy only 0.5 per cent of the historical record? Diving into the lives of queens, witches, bitches and It Girls throughout the ages – from Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette and Mata Hari to the British PM’s secret weapon: Pamela Churchill Harriman – this is a fabulously illustrated compendium of those women (from the well known to the more obscure) who broke boundaries, rules and occasionally limbs, to carve out their place in the male-dominated history books.
From Alva Vanderbilt’s $6 million ball to Empress Sisi’s meat mask, we look at the boldest, most indecent and totally unruly things that pissed men off enough they simply HAD to write them down!
From Alva Vanderbilt’s $6 million ball to Empress Sisi’s meat mask, we look at the boldest, most indecent and totally unruly things that pissed men off enough they simply HAD to write them down!
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 13, 2025
‘Dirty secrets, wild romps, unruly behaviour, unapologetic rebels, wild seductresses and badasses galore ... History is HOT.’
If history has ever felt a little too stiff, male and buttoned up for your liking, Sisters of Scandal is here to loosen the corset and kick over the table.
Ainslie Harvey delivers a gloriously unruly romp through the lives of women who refused to behave, stay quiet, or disappear politely into the margins. Queens, witches, seductresses, social climbers and outright troublemakers burst from the pages, reminding us that women only make up 0.5% of the historical record and somehow still managed to cause absolute mayhem.
This is history at its most deliciously messy. From Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette to Mata Hari and Pamela Churchill Harriman, Harvey serves up scandal with style.
The tone is sharp, funny, and unapologetically cheeky, with illustrations that make the whole thing feel like a secret gossip session you’re lucky enough to be invited to. It celebrates ambition, excess, rebellion and the kind of audacity that rattles the foundations of polite society.
Sisters of Scandal doesn’t just reclaim women from history, it revels in their chaos. Perfect for anyone (like me) who loves their feminism loud, their women feral, and their facts served with a wink.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Affirm Press for my early readers copy.
Available Now!
If history has ever felt a little too stiff, male and buttoned up for your liking, Sisters of Scandal is here to loosen the corset and kick over the table.
Ainslie Harvey delivers a gloriously unruly romp through the lives of women who refused to behave, stay quiet, or disappear politely into the margins. Queens, witches, seductresses, social climbers and outright troublemakers burst from the pages, reminding us that women only make up 0.5% of the historical record and somehow still managed to cause absolute mayhem.
This is history at its most deliciously messy. From Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette to Mata Hari and Pamela Churchill Harriman, Harvey serves up scandal with style.
The tone is sharp, funny, and unapologetically cheeky, with illustrations that make the whole thing feel like a secret gossip session you’re lucky enough to be invited to. It celebrates ambition, excess, rebellion and the kind of audacity that rattles the foundations of polite society.
Sisters of Scandal doesn’t just reclaim women from history, it revels in their chaos. Perfect for anyone (like me) who loves their feminism loud, their women feral, and their facts served with a wink.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Affirm Press for my early readers copy.
Available Now!
December 31, 2025
The women featured in Sisters of Scandal deserve better than this book gives them. Their stories are inherently fascinating and important, which is why this gets three stars at all. However, the execution falls far short of the subject matter.
The editing is disappointingly sloppy throughout. Basic errors like "burden to bare" instead of "bear" slip through, and there are factual mistakes that should have been caught—most notably placing Hypatia of Alexandria's birth in BCE rather than AD, which would make her over 700 years old at her death. These aren't minor quibbles; they undermine the credibility of the work.
I understand Harvey built her following as a TikTok historian, and the very casual, modern tone may work well in that format. But what translates as engaging in short videos feels misplaced in a published book about historical figures. The heavy use of contemporary colloquialisms and "yass queen" energy felt jarringly anachronistic and detracted from taking these women and their genuine accomplishments seriously.
The stories themselves carry this book, but they deserved more careful research, editing, and a tone that matches the gravity of their subjects. If a properly edited and revised edition is released in the future, I'd be more inclined to recommend it. For now, read it for the women, but prepare to cringe at the presentation
The editing is disappointingly sloppy throughout. Basic errors like "burden to bare" instead of "bear" slip through, and there are factual mistakes that should have been caught—most notably placing Hypatia of Alexandria's birth in BCE rather than AD, which would make her over 700 years old at her death. These aren't minor quibbles; they undermine the credibility of the work.
I understand Harvey built her following as a TikTok historian, and the very casual, modern tone may work well in that format. But what translates as engaging in short videos feels misplaced in a published book about historical figures. The heavy use of contemporary colloquialisms and "yass queen" energy felt jarringly anachronistic and detracted from taking these women and their genuine accomplishments seriously.
The stories themselves carry this book, but they deserved more careful research, editing, and a tone that matches the gravity of their subjects. If a properly edited and revised edition is released in the future, I'd be more inclined to recommend it. For now, read it for the women, but prepare to cringe at the presentation
August 9, 2026
Appreciated the effort to include important women from around the world and the emphasis that a daring and scandalous life that impacts history (even negatively) as a woman deserves historical weight. Although the voice was very colloquial and used a lot of pop-culture references that will likely date the book and I questioned the minimal sources, I really enjoyed learning about a lot of cool women I didn't know about and also the historical context around them!
January 11, 2026
3.75 🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Learnt some tantalising facts about these “scandalise” women of history - new tidbits about those I already knew, fascinating facts about those I had heard of, while discovering new “girl power” in other scandalous sisters of history.
In saying this, it felt like they just transcribed Ainslie’s TokTok onto page, along with the ‘millennial’ antidotes to match. Followers of Ainslie will enjoy the read, though I felt it needed just a little more padding, a little positive facts to lift the women up. Though, as Ainslie notes, women’s history is usually written by men so only the ‘bad’ girls tend to get noticed - like this is what NOT to do.
Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Learnt some tantalising facts about these “scandalise” women of history - new tidbits about those I already knew, fascinating facts about those I had heard of, while discovering new “girl power” in other scandalous sisters of history.
In saying this, it felt like they just transcribed Ainslie’s TokTok onto page, along with the ‘millennial’ antidotes to match. Followers of Ainslie will enjoy the read, though I felt it needed just a little more padding, a little positive facts to lift the women up. Though, as Ainslie notes, women’s history is usually written by men so only the ‘bad’ girls tend to get noticed - like this is what NOT to do.
July 11, 2026
i had so much fun listening to this audiobook! such interesting stories of women throughout history
January 10, 2026
Feel like this was trying too hard to be funny and relatable .
June 16, 2026
If you are after a millennial pop culture take on women in history, then this book is for you. I enjoyed the audio which was narrated by the author herself.
September 8, 2026
I listened to Sisters of Scandal on audio, and Ainslie Harvey’s narration was absolutely the right way to experience it. I loved her voice, her personality, and the way she told these stories like she was sharing the wildest historical gossip over drinks. Her funny pop-culture references and modern comparisons made everything feel current and accessible instead of like a dry history lesson. I genuinely laughed several times, which is not something I normally expect from a book about historical women!
The book explores the lives of queens, warriors, artists, socialites, pirates, and other women who broke rules and made men angry enough to ensure their “scandalous” behavior was recorded. Some like Cleopatra & Marie Antoinette were familiar, but I loved learning more about women such as pirate commander Ching Shih, warrior queen Njinga Mbande, Pamela Churchill Harriman, Alva Vanderbilt, and the fabulously complicated Empress Sisi. It was especially interesting to hear how many of these women were reduced to rumors, sexual scandals, or insulting stereotypes because men controlled the historical record.
Harvey doesn’t pretend that every woman featured was secretly perfect or misunderstood. Some of them made terrible decisions, behaved outrageously, or were simply chaotic and honestly, that made their stories even more entertaining. But she also separates documented history from misogynistic propaganda and shows how easily an ambitious or sexually independent woman could be labeled dangerous, immoral, or insane.
This was a fun, fast, and incredibly entertaining listen. I gave it four stars because the book covers so many women that some stories felt more like introductions, and I occasionally wanted to go much deeper. Still, I finished it with a list of women I now want to research on my own. If you enjoy history but prefer it delivered with humor, personality, dirty secrets, and hilarious pop-culture commentary, the audiobook is definitely worth listening to especially because Ainslie narrates it herself and makes it feel like the world’s most entertaining history podcast.
The book explores the lives of queens, warriors, artists, socialites, pirates, and other women who broke rules and made men angry enough to ensure their “scandalous” behavior was recorded. Some like Cleopatra & Marie Antoinette were familiar, but I loved learning more about women such as pirate commander Ching Shih, warrior queen Njinga Mbande, Pamela Churchill Harriman, Alva Vanderbilt, and the fabulously complicated Empress Sisi. It was especially interesting to hear how many of these women were reduced to rumors, sexual scandals, or insulting stereotypes because men controlled the historical record.
Harvey doesn’t pretend that every woman featured was secretly perfect or misunderstood. Some of them made terrible decisions, behaved outrageously, or were simply chaotic and honestly, that made their stories even more entertaining. But she also separates documented history from misogynistic propaganda and shows how easily an ambitious or sexually independent woman could be labeled dangerous, immoral, or insane.
This was a fun, fast, and incredibly entertaining listen. I gave it four stars because the book covers so many women that some stories felt more like introductions, and I occasionally wanted to go much deeper. Still, I finished it with a list of women I now want to research on my own. If you enjoy history but prefer it delivered with humor, personality, dirty secrets, and hilarious pop-culture commentary, the audiobook is definitely worth listening to especially because Ainslie narrates it herself and makes it feel like the world’s most entertaining history podcast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2026
I started binging the author, Ainslie Harvey’s, pod ‘Hot History’ (HIGHLY recommend) so naturally, I had to find my queen on Instagram… this —> 🤯 was my face when I realized she wrote a book?! I immediately downloaded on Spotify. Some chapters overlap with podcasts topics, but I did not even care. She could be reading a nutrition label & I’d be entranced.
This diva is such a natural storyteller & makes women’s history ACCESSIBLE! She gave a crazy statistic at the beginning that <1% of recorded history is about women, & she’s bringing that <1% up from the archives, finding the un-patriarchal truth behind these findings, & showing these women in a different light than history would like to paint them in.
To be clear, I’m no history buff. The whole reason I actually decided to start taking an interest in history is because I got SO invested in the Targaryen history/bloodline that I’m like “why don’t I give ACTUAL history a try again?” 💀 Ainslie’s book & podcast give everyone the opportunity to learn something new while presenting it in a matter that makes it feel like we’re discussing some hot goss over a glass of wine. 10/10 love this queen & I just know she’s going to have an amazing career ahead of her
This diva is such a natural storyteller & makes women’s history ACCESSIBLE! She gave a crazy statistic at the beginning that <1% of recorded history is about women, & she’s bringing that <1% up from the archives, finding the un-patriarchal truth behind these findings, & showing these women in a different light than history would like to paint them in.
To be clear, I’m no history buff. The whole reason I actually decided to start taking an interest in history is because I got SO invested in the Targaryen history/bloodline that I’m like “why don’t I give ACTUAL history a try again?” 💀 Ainslie’s book & podcast give everyone the opportunity to learn something new while presenting it in a matter that makes it feel like we’re discussing some hot goss over a glass of wine. 10/10 love this queen & I just know she’s going to have an amazing career ahead of her
September 17, 2026
I love Ainslie Harvey and I listen to the “Hot History podcast” so I loved this book. The author’s style of “yasssfied” colloquialism mixed with historical facts is part of her brand and it shines here just at it does on the podcast. The stories of the incredible women featured in this book might have been concise but I still think Harvey touched on all the major achievements and impacts these women did and delivered quick stories that still kept me intrigued and inspired me to researched even deeper into their fascinating lives. Also, Harvey does do full multi-part episodes on some of the women touched in this book on the podcast and it was nice to go back and re listen to those audios as I read this book.
I personally believe that Harvey’s intent with this book was to approach history—especially for history lovers—in a fun way instead of just reading trite, boring facts with no edge and I think she delivered on that aspect and the people that get it, get it.
I personally believe that Harvey’s intent with this book was to approach history—especially for history lovers—in a fun way instead of just reading trite, boring facts with no edge and I think she delivered on that aspect and the people that get it, get it.
August 21, 2026
I definitely found the premise VERY MUCH intriguing. I also liked the diversity of the female’s characters. I was worried in the start that it was going to be very west focused, but I am glad we got some more inclusitivity after that.
What I loved about the book was that it wasnt blindly praising the characters. I liked that the characters were explained in a grey light, with all their goods and flaws. I think the statement in the book that women have very little room to be in the grey zone very much resonated with me, because you are either a good, ethical, appropriate, and virtuous woman or you’re not. You don’t really exist in the middle. Tho sometimes the author did sound a bit too over-stating when talking about certain characters. Overall, I did enjoy the book and learned some cool facts!!
What I loved about the book was that it wasnt blindly praising the characters. I liked that the characters were explained in a grey light, with all their goods and flaws. I think the statement in the book that women have very little room to be in the grey zone very much resonated with me, because you are either a good, ethical, appropriate, and virtuous woman or you’re not. You don’t really exist in the middle. Tho sometimes the author did sound a bit too over-stating when talking about certain characters. Overall, I did enjoy the book and learned some cool facts!!
April 9, 2026
Really interesting stories of women throughout history, many of whom were new to me. The author points out that only .5% of written history is about women, and usually through the lens of men who as well all know can be unreliable when it comes to being factual. (I'm talking to you Patriarchy!) Ainslie Harvey did a good job of making history fun, interesting and getting a few laughs from me. If you've enjoyed the works of Jennifer Wright, Leslie Carroll or Michael Farquhar, you will probably enjoy this book. I do worry that this book won't age well, there were a bunch of pop culture references that I think happened within the last couple of years but in another year or two, I won't recall.
January 3, 2026
Lightweight (humorous) account of numerous (semi-famous) women over the course of history. According to the author, only 0.5% of recorded history relates to or is about, women. Probably correct.
From Cleopatra to American heiresses such as the Vanderbilts, she covers a wide range of women - all considered scandalous in their time. Largely for taking control over their own lives, being intelligent and getting sh*t done.
In "recorded" history, many of these women are described as astonishingly beautiful - as if that was necessary to explain their successes in life. It could NOT be just because they were smart cookies now could it?
A worthy read.
From Cleopatra to American heiresses such as the Vanderbilts, she covers a wide range of women - all considered scandalous in their time. Largely for taking control over their own lives, being intelligent and getting sh*t done.
In "recorded" history, many of these women are described as astonishingly beautiful - as if that was necessary to explain their successes in life. It could NOT be just because they were smart cookies now could it?
A worthy read.
April 19, 2026
Me gustó!!! Con las primeras biografías, pensé que iba a ser un libro que enlistaba a mujeres emblemáticas de la historia, las que influenciaron la cultura popular. Pero fue más allá de eso, no solo termino este libro sabiendo la diferencia entre la vida y mito de mujeres como Cleopatra o Maria Antonieta. Sino que tuve el gusto de conocer el impacto de Hypatia, Edi, Mata Hari...
Si tiene sus momentos de cringe con referencias a la cultura pop actual, tiene sentido ya que la escritora es tik toker, pero se puede dejar pasar por la manera en la que sintetiza y hace más amena la vida de estas mujeres increíblemente complejas y excepcionales.
Si tiene sus momentos de cringe con referencias a la cultura pop actual, tiene sentido ya que la escritora es tik toker, pero se puede dejar pasar por la manera en la que sintetiza y hace más amena la vida de estas mujeres increíblemente complejas y excepcionales.
September 16, 2026
This book really made me reflect on my history classes back in high school and I note that we really did focus on men during those classes. The women i read about, regardless of their rights and wrongs, were inspirational as a lot were independent and wild spirited in a time where society gave them nothing at all. I love how they still chased what they wanted and built something for themselves. Men are still apparently the focus of the world today, but women will always always find a way to achieve something if they put their mind to it, no matter the hurdles put in front of them by men and society.
April 11, 2026
This book taught me quite a bit - I am still in shock that Cleopatra and Julius Caesar had a son !!! I feel like I am now a well of fun facts of history.
This book reinforced that I'm allowed to be mad at the patriarchy because the only reason these women in history are considered 'scandalous' is because they acted like men, and men didn't like that 💀
Although the modern colloquialisms made this book entertaining and sort of conversation like, there were points where it was jarring and felt like it was trying too hard.
This book reinforced that I'm allowed to be mad at the patriarchy because the only reason these women in history are considered 'scandalous' is because they acted like men, and men didn't like that 💀
Although the modern colloquialisms made this book entertaining and sort of conversation like, there were points where it was jarring and felt like it was trying too hard.
September 5, 2026
Really fun audiobook if you have a casual interest in history . It’s very similar to the author’s podcast so there is definitly some overlap. I don’t know how well this would work in the non audio format, since this just felt like an extended version of a podcast episode.
I do appreciate the mission of making women’s history more fun and accessible for people (like me) who don’t know much at all about history.
I do appreciate the mission of making women’s history more fun and accessible for people (like me) who don’t know much at all about history.
July 31, 2026
Very funny and interesting read! These are very short glimpses into the lives of the women mentioned but I’m left wanting to dig into to some of their histories even more now.
Doesn’t look like I can order the physical copy in the US unfortunately but the audio was great and very easy to listen to!
Doesn’t look like I can order the physical copy in the US unfortunately but the audio was great and very easy to listen to!
Read
July 10, 2026I loved this look at the lives of women throughout history. It really makes you think about all the stories of women who have been erased or left out entirely of the history books. Really enjoyed the audiobook!
August 31, 2026
I really could have done without the peppy slang/pop culture reference cut-ins. It felt patronizing, like the ~~girlies couldn't read non-fiction history without it being presented like a tik tok. If I hadn't enjoyed the content, I would have given this a 2.
January 12, 2026
Interesting.
March 13, 2026
3.75 stars!
Learnt a lot and felt so much for these women, but would have loved to have seen more women of colour have their stories shared.
Learnt a lot and felt so much for these women, but would have loved to have seen more women of colour have their stories shared.
July 13, 2026
Listened to the audiobook - love her podcast
July 15, 2026
💪🏼🙋🏻♀️
July 25, 2026
An entertaining read with some women I had heard of and a few that I hadn’t.
July 28, 2026
i highly recommend this for those who want a quick and witty audiobook about women from history! perfect for the feminist enthusiast 💖
July 30, 2026
Crazy listening to this whilst sat at my silly little desk job
July 31, 2026
listened to the audiobook, very enjoyable
August 30, 2026
An audiobook by my fave history gal
SAY LESS
I only dropped one star because some of the chapters I'd already knew about because I watch Ainslies YouTube
SAY LESS
I only dropped one star because some of the chapters I'd already knew about because I watch Ainslies YouTube
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews