Girls Are Best

by Sandi Toksvig

For as long as history has been recorded, girls haven't had much of a look in amongst all the great men we remember. But that doesn't mean they weren't there. And it doesn't mean that they didn't achieve great things, come up with wonderful inventions or win battles! Lots of people have heard of Joan of Arc, Boadicea and Florence Nightingale, but...Did you know that there were actually female Gladiators - Gladiatrices? Or that Nimkasi was the Sumerian Goddess of Beer? Or that it was Mary Jacob Phelps who invented the bra? In this book, Sandi Toksvig shows that His-tory is actually Her-story. Though they're often ignored or overlooked, they have changed the world. There's no question about it...Girls are best!

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Childrens, History, Humor

216 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2008

About the author

Danish/British writer, presenter, comedian, actress and producer on British radio and television. She currently presents The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and 1001 Things You Should Know on Channel 4. In October 2012 she succeeded Sheila Hancock as Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Ms Toksvig is not only very funny, she has an excellent way of explaining how the role of women in history, politics, science, the arts, etc has been criminally overlooked. Apparently, this was meant to be one of a pair of books, with 'Boys Are Best' to be written by an unnamed male comedian. The plan was that the two of them would tour a series of comic debates on the subject. However, the man was apparently too lazy or disorganised to get round to writing his book, so only this one was published. As Sandi said at a recent talk I attended - "We're women - we want the job done!" Fellow men, read this and reflect on the fact that men have been in charge of the world for the last 10,000 years - and what an appalling £$%*-up we've made of it. I'm with Sandi - it's time women had a go, as they couldn't make a worse mess than we have!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mum bought me this book as a stocking filler at Xmas, & this is the kind of book that I am going to give to my future daughters, should I have any. Yes it's a kids book and it offers no real feminist analysis of women throughout history, but where else can little girls read about female vikings, pirates, gladiators and inventors? I think of this as a jumping off point- a few names and a bit of info, which you can go off and research some more should you be inspired to. Plus there are some really cute little bits of clip art sprinkled throughout.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of facts that would be perfect reading for ages 8-12 and a great start and eye-opener for everyone else! Would be an interesting follow up to see (or research) whether anything much has changed in the decade since it was written (women now being allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia, although not many votes have been able to be cast by anyone there for years prior to that anyway). I was told the other day not to "keep harping on about women's sport and sexism" all because I said that if you only say to me "the England Team" I will need you to clarify whether you mean men or women's. But when it's only just within my lifetime that women have had their own marathon in the Olympics, when it's even later than that the ban on playing professional baseball was lifted in the US, when it's even later than that, that Wimbledon awarded equal prize money to the men and women's champions I think a polite reminder that women are here too (and not just in sport) is justified.

[Electra Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this book 4 ☆ if it was less discriminating to men. I knowww boys are bad, I knoowww men have done awedul things throughout history to women (putting them down, stopping them from rising, preventing them of education and arts and sports and aaallll the fields generally) but the book's title suggests that women are superior to men, which is wrong! Men and women are equal. Don't tell me about the last pages of the book, the whole book was proving in one way or another that women are better; and though this may be motivating and inspiring; I don't want my daughter, one day, to read this.. I don't want her to look down at her father and brother. Yet I have to admit this book is quite rich in information, and I learned a lot from it; not to mention the witty jokes and the good sense of humour in it. I like it; but it should have been less.. "violent" if I may say and insulting to men. We are complimentary, not enemies ..

[Jess Milner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely little book!

As we know, "History has a lot of white boys." So Sandi writes as she explores some of the famous and some forgotten ladies of history. Very funny, interesting and engaging, this is a book I would recommend to anyone - and I wouldn't hesitate to say I would give it to any future daughters I might have. Told for kids, it's complete with pictures, jokes and spaces for drawings. It's so lovely (how many times am I going to say that word?) with Sandi's trademark wit and a lot of reasearch. There were loads of names in here I didn't know - but it isn't just ladies from one particular field. We look at ladies in the animal kingdom (lots of matriarchies, which i fully approve of), history, military, sport, writing and much more. Def worth picking up and very much something all little girls should read. Because after all, girls are best!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandi has written a book about girls for girls so they know more of their own history. And who better to write it than one of the wittiest and most knowledgeable women around. Anyone who knows anything about how history has been recorded knows that women and girls have been largely ignored, distorted or maligned. This book rectifies some of this ignorance. She writes of the accomplishments of women in many different fields: science, sports, politics, arts, music, etc. She even writes of women in areas that I wish women (or men) did not participate in such as bullfighting and war. The book is full of fun facts, funny illustrations and jokes. I think every girl should have a copy.

[Eleonora Salviato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo libro l'avevo scelto come regalo di compleanno quando avevo 10-11 anni, l'ho preso un pò senza pensare, nella classica fase i cui i maschi cominciano a dire che loro sono meglio..e bla bla..
Solo che quella fase non è durata molto, perciò avevo iniziato a sfogliarlo più che leggerlo, anche perchè all'epoca non leggevo molto..anzi davvero poco..
Perciò l'ho letto adesso, forse sarebbe stato più utile da piccola, ma è stata comunque una lettura piacevole, interessante e simpatica, simile a "Storie della buonanotte per bambine ribelli".
Carino.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book really for my nieces but won't to read it first!
A really good and amusing reminder of how his-story has been skewed to tell his story and misses lots of her stories. Hope my nieces like it and gives them the right start to consider feminism!

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. There's nothing actually wrong with this book, but for me I think it comes under the whole Christmas/novelty banner which I'm not a big fan of. Realised a wee way in that I actually wanted something a bit less light-hearted. That's no fault of the book though.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light-hearted look at the contribution of women to sport, science, politics and culture throughout History. Quite entertaining and funny, and a very easy read.

[Annabel Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wooo! Go feminism!

[skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells you lots about history of heroic women and proves that girls ARE best!

[Eve]

One of Yael's birthday presents but I'm reading it too ;)

Adi says yay someone is also small (Queen Matilda was 4ft 2).

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls Are Best

[Teffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good, sadly cissexist but good for little girls if you explain about trans and cis stuff. wish id had a book like this!

[Rachel Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

a quick and interesting read

[Bev Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent. I bought a copy for both my daughters.

Fun for anti-Barbie moms.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this book. Every boy and girl in school should read it!

[Brenda Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting bit of fun.

[Maty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un saggio semplice ma diretto, che tutte le bambine dovrebbero leggere.
Essendo indicato per un pubblico minorile, l'ho trovato molto, fin troppo esaustivo: capisco la necessità dell'autrice di dover trattare di così tanti personaggi storici mantenendo comunque alta l'attenzione del lettore, (che si presume sia un pre-adolescente o persino più giovane), ma avrei apprezzato un maggiore focus su alcuni caratteri, anche se ciò comporta la diminuzione di personalità descritte.
Ho comunque trovato questa lettura un buon modo per introdurre l'argomento nel mondo dei bambini e dei ragazzi, con commenti sagaci ma mai denigratori nei confronti dell'altro sesso.
Scopo di questo saggio non è evidenziare ciò che il sesso opposto ha di problematico, ma descrivere come i due sessi coesistano nello stesso ambiente e abbiano in realtà meno differenze di quante sono state create dalla società nelle diverse ere sociali.

[Kimmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! I started reading it because I thought it might take me a long time but I loved learning about why it makes no sense that we are in a patriarchal society, and was appalled to learn all the facts about women still treated unfairly today. I think it is so important for people to read this because it shows how great women can be, but how unequal they still are, and how we desperately need to change that. (It also kind of explains why boys are so... immature? And how they are more at risk.)
I really recommend this.

[Eloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for 99p at a charity shop in the YA section. It is binary - focusing on just girls and boys, which in 2020 is seen as an issue. In spite of this, it contains loads of interesting information about different women in history and makes note that even though white women had it had WOC had it even harder, and it makes mention of some important figures on history of all races from all backgrounds.

[Petrina Binney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference for young girls. Packed to the rafters with information and brief accounts of the lives of some of the deeply signficant but often overlooked women in our history. I really enjoyed it and I'm way over the age of the intended market. Would form an excellent response to any jeering boy on the playground and, on the off-chance boys no longer jeer, would be a great source of inspiration to any kid with a dream that may or may not come true. Give it a go, girl.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting quick read. It's clearly aimed at children but it had some interesting facts and women that I didn't know. I would say it would be a good starting point for looking further into the lives of some of the women featured but as can be expected there is not much depth.

[Roaa Moustafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really this book is amazing!! I don't think it is only for children cause i loved it and i'm not a child:"D, Whatever i loved those paintings, and the cover's design..i think this book will make the young girl who read this be a young feminist :""

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read most of the book. Being a girlie, I thought I would enjoy it more. However, although I think it’s great to promote the girls , I would have liked more balance. Im sure the girls couldn’t have been successful by themselves.

[sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird one to rate

i got this as a nine year old and it was one of my fav books as a little feminist kiddie wink so i decided to reread as a 24 year old. rly cute and uplifting to young girls plus genuinely some really interesting info

[Marie Grassick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could be informative for 7 to 10 year old's , but 7 to 10 year old girls would not be that interested so it's a waste of paper, time and awesome talent. (I love Sandi Toksvik)

[Lea Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew things I didn't know. And it makes me appreciate myself as a woman. And it proves that girls are stronger than you thought

[Alice Illingworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. A bit too close to biological essentialism at time which I wasn't a fan of, but a great way to tell loads of stories about women doing really really cool stuff.