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The Girl Explorers
Never tell a woman where she doesn't belong.
In 1932, Roy Chapman Andrews, president of the men-only Explorers Club, boldly stated to hundreds of female students at Barnard College that "women are not adapted to exploration," and that women and exploration do not mix. He obviously didn't know a thing about either...
The Girl Explorers is the inspirational and untold story of the founding of the Society of Women Geographers―an organization of adventurous female world explorers―and how key members served as early advocates for human rights and paved the way for today's women scientists by scaling mountains, exploring the high seas, flying across the Atlantic, and recording the world through film, sculpture, and literature.
Follow in the footsteps of these rebellious women as they travel the globe in search of new species, widen the understanding of hidden cultures, and break records in spades. For these women dared to go where no woman―or man―had gone before, achieving the unthinkable and breaking through barriers to allow future generations to carry on their important and inspiring work.
The Girl Explorers is an inspiring examination of forgotten women from history, perfect for fans of bestselling narrative history books like The Radium Girls, The Woman Who Smashed Codes, and Rise of the Rocket Girls.
In 1932, Roy Chapman Andrews, president of the men-only Explorers Club, boldly stated to hundreds of female students at Barnard College that "women are not adapted to exploration," and that women and exploration do not mix. He obviously didn't know a thing about either...
The Girl Explorers is the inspirational and untold story of the founding of the Society of Women Geographers―an organization of adventurous female world explorers―and how key members served as early advocates for human rights and paved the way for today's women scientists by scaling mountains, exploring the high seas, flying across the Atlantic, and recording the world through film, sculpture, and literature.
Follow in the footsteps of these rebellious women as they travel the globe in search of new species, widen the understanding of hidden cultures, and break records in spades. For these women dared to go where no woman―or man―had gone before, achieving the unthinkable and breaking through barriers to allow future generations to carry on their important and inspiring work.
The Girl Explorers is an inspiring examination of forgotten women from history, perfect for fans of bestselling narrative history books like The Radium Girls, The Woman Who Smashed Codes, and Rise of the Rocket Girls.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published March 2, 2021
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2956 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 30, 2022
This is a non-fiction book. This book switch around ideas and the tenses the story is being told in because of those two things I could not really get into this book. I did not like how this story was written which is sad because I really love the idea between this book. I wanted to love this book so much. I found parts of this book ok, but I found most of this book boring. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sourcebooks) or author (Jayne E. Zanglein) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
October 21, 2020
This book was a little disappointing in some ways - the author switched tenses and allowed herself to put thoughts into her subjects, which in some instances made them more characters rather than actual people. It is very American explorer focus, rather than the subtitle which lead me to think it would be world focus; but the range of women covered is good, and it can lead you into further reading.
January 13, 2021
Do not mistake The Girl Explorers to be a lightweight collection of mini-biographies of colorful females dressed in men's attire as they cheerfully cross the globe.
These females battled every sort of prejudice mankind could cook up. They faced sexual predation and ridicule. They fought for equality and against racism. They exposed the horror of prisons and stood for gay rights. Their work was attacked, diminished, forgotten. They were suffragettes and feminists and scientists and intrepid risk-takers.
Their achievements were significant, but how many can you recognize?
Amelia Earhart, of course. We all know that she disappeared. She also wrote her own wedding vows that did not include "obey" but did allow for her husband's infidelity.
Margaret Mead had to be 'rediscovered,' but in her lifetime, she was accused of presenting fake science.
Jayne Zanglein's history of the Society of Women Geographers is about the women I wished I knew about when I was growing up, back when I was reading about Robert Falcon Scott's doomed expedition with nary a female in sight.
No, the biographies I found about women were nurses and social workers and nuns and such. Traditional female roles, really, even if they were fierce.
I did have Jane Goodall and Mary Leakey who I read about in dad's National Geographic magazines, and later in books which I bought.
But so many of these women I had never heard of.
Their stories are the story of women's progress in their fight to be accepted as equals to the ruling male scientists and explorers. They were more than men's equals in their intrepid spirit, intelligence, endurance, and persistence.
Their work is beautifully described in memorable stories that I will not soon forget. This is a fantastic history, and a must-read for every young woman who dreams of high adventure and scientific endeavors.
I was given a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
These females battled every sort of prejudice mankind could cook up. They faced sexual predation and ridicule. They fought for equality and against racism. They exposed the horror of prisons and stood for gay rights. Their work was attacked, diminished, forgotten. They were suffragettes and feminists and scientists and intrepid risk-takers.
Their achievements were significant, but how many can you recognize?
Amelia Earhart, of course. We all know that she disappeared. She also wrote her own wedding vows that did not include "obey" but did allow for her husband's infidelity.
Margaret Mead had to be 'rediscovered,' but in her lifetime, she was accused of presenting fake science.
Jayne Zanglein's history of the Society of Women Geographers is about the women I wished I knew about when I was growing up, back when I was reading about Robert Falcon Scott's doomed expedition with nary a female in sight.
No, the biographies I found about women were nurses and social workers and nuns and such. Traditional female roles, really, even if they were fierce.
I did have Jane Goodall and Mary Leakey who I read about in dad's National Geographic magazines, and later in books which I bought.
But so many of these women I had never heard of.
Their stories are the story of women's progress in their fight to be accepted as equals to the ruling male scientists and explorers. They were more than men's equals in their intrepid spirit, intelligence, endurance, and persistence.
Their work is beautifully described in memorable stories that I will not soon forget. This is a fantastic history, and a must-read for every young woman who dreams of high adventure and scientific endeavors.
I was given a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
November 25, 2025
Interesting but just oddly crafted and organized, this "history" of the Society of Women Geographers could have been so much better. After several chapters on the founding of the society,* it jumps around to tell the stories of numerous, otherwise-unrelated female adventurers, activists, suffragettes, etc. - not all of whom seem linked to the theme of "explorers/geographers." You can probably put together as good or even better a story by going to the society's Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society...) and clicking on the individual gold medal award winners; or else visiting the society's own website, http://www.iswg.org/, which unlike the book doesn't basically end in the 1940s.
* Haha - ooh nooo!! Apparently, the society was in part started in response to an inarguably chauvinistic 1932 speech delivered by my otherwise-main man Roy Chapman Andrews to female students at Barnard College. Product of your time or not - not cool, Roy!
* Haha - ooh nooo!! Apparently, the society was in part started in response to an inarguably chauvinistic 1932 speech delivered by my otherwise-main man Roy Chapman Andrews to female students at Barnard College. Product of your time or not - not cool, Roy!
March 28, 2024
A wonderful book that drew emotions from me throughout.
The feeling of anger and frustration arose when the treatment of women and gays in the first half of the 20th Century. It was wrong…wrong…wrong.
On the other hand, the determination of the ladies of the time gave me great joy.
The feeling of anger and frustration arose when the treatment of women and gays in the first half of the 20th Century. It was wrong…wrong…wrong.
On the other hand, the determination of the ladies of the time gave me great joy.
March 4, 2021
While The Girl Explorers by Jayne E. Zanglein was not exactly what I was expecting, I found it ultimately to be a fascinating and inspiring book, highlighting some of the intelligent, daring and determined women who rebelled against expectations and paved the way for women to participate in what were traditionally male pursuits.
“Fifty percent of the world population is female, but only .05 percent of recorded history relates to women.”
The Society of Woman Geographers was founded in 1925 after the exclusively male Explorers Club refused to lift its ban on women members, condescendingly dismissing their ‘suitability’ for exploration, and their many achievements. Founded by Blair Bebee/Niles, a travel writer and novelist; Marguerite Harrison, a widowed single mother and a journalist who became US spy in Russia just after WW1; Gertrude Mathews Shelby, an economic geographer; and Gertrude Emerson, an expert on Asia and editor of Asia Magazine, membership was extended to women whose “distinctive work has added to the world’s store of knowledge concerning countries on which they specialized.”
Settling on the term “geographers” instead of explorers because it was flexible enough to encompass explorers, scientists, anthropologists, ethnographers, writers, mountain climbers, and even ethnographic artists and musicians, the stated aims of the Society were, “...building personal relationships among members, archiving the work of its membership in the society’s collections, and celebrating the achievements of women.”
“With the passage of time—as so often happens with women’s careers—the names and contributions of these explorers tended to sink from sight, their achievements questioned or minimized.” - Elizabeth Fagg Olds, newspaper correspondent and former president of Society.
Though the Society accepted ‘corresponding’ members from any country, The Girl Explorers tends to focus on American adventurers. I recognised only a few names, icons such as aviator Amelia Earhart, anthropologist Margaret Mead, former US First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, and author, Pearl S. Buck. While I did think that it was a shame that the author wasn’t perhaps as inclusive as she could have been, I was nevertheless still fascinated by what I learned of the many women I’d never heard of.
Of the founding members, I considered the life of Blair Bebee née Rice (later Niles) to be particularly intriguing, in part because her story is the most complete, but also because of the sheer breadth of her achievements. I was also captivated by the intrepid mountaineer, Annie Smith Peck, who in 1895, at the age of 45, became the third woman to ascend the Matterhorn, though the first to do so in knickers (men’s knickerbocker trousers) and without a corset.
Zanglein’s narrative sometimes feels a little scattered and occasionally seems to veer off-topic, however the tone is personable, and what I learned was so interesting, I found I didn’t much mind. I highlighted screeds of information as I was reading that really doesn’t have a place in this review, but that intrigued me.
“Their stories change our history...”
The Society of Woman Geographers still exists today, they maintain a museum and library on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. with a robust membership that continues to meet regularly, and supports women geographers with fellowships and awards. I’m glad to have learnt more about organisation and the amazing women who are part of it.
“Fifty percent of the world population is female, but only .05 percent of recorded history relates to women.”
The Society of Woman Geographers was founded in 1925 after the exclusively male Explorers Club refused to lift its ban on women members, condescendingly dismissing their ‘suitability’ for exploration, and their many achievements. Founded by Blair Bebee/Niles, a travel writer and novelist; Marguerite Harrison, a widowed single mother and a journalist who became US spy in Russia just after WW1; Gertrude Mathews Shelby, an economic geographer; and Gertrude Emerson, an expert on Asia and editor of Asia Magazine, membership was extended to women whose “distinctive work has added to the world’s store of knowledge concerning countries on which they specialized.”
Settling on the term “geographers” instead of explorers because it was flexible enough to encompass explorers, scientists, anthropologists, ethnographers, writers, mountain climbers, and even ethnographic artists and musicians, the stated aims of the Society were, “...building personal relationships among members, archiving the work of its membership in the society’s collections, and celebrating the achievements of women.”
“With the passage of time—as so often happens with women’s careers—the names and contributions of these explorers tended to sink from sight, their achievements questioned or minimized.” - Elizabeth Fagg Olds, newspaper correspondent and former president of Society.
Though the Society accepted ‘corresponding’ members from any country, The Girl Explorers tends to focus on American adventurers. I recognised only a few names, icons such as aviator Amelia Earhart, anthropologist Margaret Mead, former US First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, and author, Pearl S. Buck. While I did think that it was a shame that the author wasn’t perhaps as inclusive as she could have been, I was nevertheless still fascinated by what I learned of the many women I’d never heard of.
Of the founding members, I considered the life of Blair Bebee née Rice (later Niles) to be particularly intriguing, in part because her story is the most complete, but also because of the sheer breadth of her achievements. I was also captivated by the intrepid mountaineer, Annie Smith Peck, who in 1895, at the age of 45, became the third woman to ascend the Matterhorn, though the first to do so in knickers (men’s knickerbocker trousers) and without a corset.
Zanglein’s narrative sometimes feels a little scattered and occasionally seems to veer off-topic, however the tone is personable, and what I learned was so interesting, I found I didn’t much mind. I highlighted screeds of information as I was reading that really doesn’t have a place in this review, but that intrigued me.
“Their stories change our history...”
The Society of Woman Geographers still exists today, they maintain a museum and library on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. with a robust membership that continues to meet regularly, and supports women geographers with fellowships and awards. I’m glad to have learnt more about organisation and the amazing women who are part of it.
November 23, 2020
This book isn’t quite what I anticipated. I thought I would get mini-biographies of the groundbreaking women explorers pictured in the first few pages and some samples of their adventures. It’s actually more about the Society of Woman Geographers, its founders, and the network they formed. I got a few glimpses at the exploits of Blair Beebe and Annie Smith Peck, but the book is more about the liberal causes the Society members pursued when they weren’t globetrotting. Many members were suffragettes and there was a chapter on that subject (which I skimmed, having already read Jailed for Freedom). These women also gave voice to the marginalized like blacks and homosexuals and weren’t afraid of embracing different cultures.
I almost thought this could have been subtitled “Women Who Knew Will Beebe.” I felt there was more written about him because he was divorced from a Society founder and he hired many other members to work on his expeditions. While Will gave women opportunities they would not otherwise have had, “…he had affairs with some of his female colleagues and did not provide a safe workplace for other women.” The chapter about Amelia Earhart focused more on her relationship with George Putnam than on her flying career, which was frustrating.
Yes, this book is about female explorers, but doesn’t detail their exploration. It’s mainly about the trails these women blazed and their contributions to science, art, literature, and a host of other disciplines. It illustrates their determination, the obstacles and prejudices they overcame, and how the Society brought them together.
February 16, 2021
dnf after 80 pages
trigger warning
Since the Explorers Club would not have them, researchers who happened to be female founded the Society of Women Geographers to socialise and promote the work of their peers. This is their story.
This book starts out with the story of the founders, who they were and why they thought such an institution would be necessary and goes on to describe the most mentionable members, like Amelia Earhart and Jane Goodall.
Multiple topics are touched upon, from feminism to travellogues to human rights to the early history of different disciplines like ethnology. What made me stop reading is that while the content matter is highly interesting, the author jumps from one person to the next without rhyme or reason, a style which I find hard to follow and which means that I won't retain any knowledge.
Another problem, which might only partain to the arc, is that while there are footnotes and there are mentions of the source materials, both don't go hand in hand. If you want to know sources, you have to jump back and forth between the main writing and the appendix, which is hard when you have an e-copy and it takes too long to load. So l0ng that I have forgotten what I came for when it opens.
In a physical book, I'd just put a post-it there so I know where I have to turn to.
I think that if you are not used to academic writing, this would be hugely enjoyable. It's accessible, the people mentioned are awesome, and we need more books like this. Give it a go, would you?
The arc was provided by the publisher.
trigger warning
Since the Explorers Club would not have them, researchers who happened to be female founded the Society of Women Geographers to socialise and promote the work of their peers. This is their story.
This book starts out with the story of the founders, who they were and why they thought such an institution would be necessary and goes on to describe the most mentionable members, like Amelia Earhart and Jane Goodall.
Multiple topics are touched upon, from feminism to travellogues to human rights to the early history of different disciplines like ethnology. What made me stop reading is that while the content matter is highly interesting, the author jumps from one person to the next without rhyme or reason, a style which I find hard to follow and which means that I won't retain any knowledge.
Another problem, which might only partain to the arc, is that while there are footnotes and there are mentions of the source materials, both don't go hand in hand. If you want to know sources, you have to jump back and forth between the main writing and the appendix, which is hard when you have an e-copy and it takes too long to load. So l0ng that I have forgotten what I came for when it opens.
In a physical book, I'd just put a post-it there so I know where I have to turn to.
I think that if you are not used to academic writing, this would be hugely enjoyable. It's accessible, the people mentioned are awesome, and we need more books like this. Give it a go, would you?
The arc was provided by the publisher.
March 20, 2021
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
The Girl Explorers is a fun jaunt through the history of the Society of Woman Geographers, its founding, and the escapades of some of the early members. It's astounding the blatant sexism that these women faced less than 100 years ago. Their greatest achievement is surely refraining from bludgeoning every man who came within swinging distance.
I really appreciated how the book focused on members who are not particularly famous instead of the easier stories of Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt and other celebrities. I think the author made a great attempt to tell their stories fairly, which wasn't easy given how much society has changed in the meantime. Many members were sufragettes, some members were part of the LGBT community, and some were non-white or allies to POC. The racism of the day can't be ignored though, and sometimes I feel like the author leaned too heavily on explaining away views or behaviors these women had that would not be acceptable today.
Overall, it's invigorating to read about the accomplishments of these women and be reminded that women can do anything men can do even with the extra burden of the patriarchy on our shoulders.
The Girl Explorers is a fun jaunt through the history of the Society of Woman Geographers, its founding, and the escapades of some of the early members. It's astounding the blatant sexism that these women faced less than 100 years ago. Their greatest achievement is surely refraining from bludgeoning every man who came within swinging distance.
I really appreciated how the book focused on members who are not particularly famous instead of the easier stories of Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt and other celebrities. I think the author made a great attempt to tell their stories fairly, which wasn't easy given how much society has changed in the meantime. Many members were sufragettes, some members were part of the LGBT community, and some were non-white or allies to POC. The racism of the day can't be ignored though, and sometimes I feel like the author leaned too heavily on explaining away views or behaviors these women had that would not be acceptable today.
Overall, it's invigorating to read about the accomplishments of these women and be reminded that women can do anything men can do even with the extra burden of the patriarchy on our shoulders.
August 16, 2023
I like to read about the accomplishments of women and history that has been forgotten. The title of this book; however, is somewhat misleading. I was expertly more about the "exploring" aspects of what the women did. One entire chapter focused more on the husband (who became an ex-husband) of one of the women. True, he employed many women for his expeditions; however, he also exploited them and had sexual relationships with many. The other part that deviated from the exploring aspect of their lives is that there was a great deal of the book that focused on their politics. Many of them were very involved in the suffragist movement and most of them also were supporters of civil rights for everyone, African Americans and also Native Americans in particular. While this demonstrates that travel helps to open minds and provide one a broader vision of the world, it just wasn't what I was expecting in the book. It's well written and interesting and I learned about most of the women for the first time. Only Amelia Earhart was already known to me. The time frame was primarily the early 1900's.
February 9, 2022
Very Good Overview of Female Explorers
A very good look at female explorers and their challenges to be recognized and remembered. One that struck a cord with me was Margaret Mead who was highly praised and honored while I was growing up and after her death, her work was criticized and put down. Other female explorers suffered the same fate. Most complained of their lack of value in their professional lives and how their research wasn’t given the credibility of their male peers. Good book.
A very good look at female explorers and their challenges to be recognized and remembered. One that struck a cord with me was Margaret Mead who was highly praised and honored while I was growing up and after her death, her work was criticized and put down. Other female explorers suffered the same fate. Most complained of their lack of value in their professional lives and how their research wasn’t given the credibility of their male peers. Good book.
May 25, 2021
Deserving explorers and leaders in their field in there time basically ignored or glossed over by people and the media because they were female. Read their history here and travel with them into outer space, the ocean depths, unexplained Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. A good read all around with my only objection the title. These are not mere little girls, but fully grown and mature women with enough bravery, courage and guts to take on the challenge of exploring the unknown.
May 28, 2021
This very readable book looks at the forgotten women who made history as explorers, naturalists, anthropologists, and authors and who were summarily forgotten or repressed by that very same history. Equal parts feminist and biographical, it's a fascinating reminder that history errs on the side of the masculine and that the world of female explorers does not begin and end with Amelia Earhart.
June 19, 2022
Very interesting & informative book. I feel strongly that this book should be reading list material in High School. These women are overlooked in the shaping of arts, science, nature & discovery. I felt frustrated for them not getting the acknowledgment they deserved & their work/accomplishments being trivialized or debunked.
May 28, 2025
Heavily informative, well researched non-fiction that unlocks the untold trials, tribulations and historical tellings of women geographers throughout history.
February 5, 2024
I picked up The Girl Explorers with a lot of excitement, but ended up frustrated, underwhelmed, and bored. I want to start out by pointing to one of the positives, in which the author did take some time to highlight the colonialist, oppressive, and exploitative nature of a lot of what was lumped under “exploring” during the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. This was helpful context to have in looking back, especially as at least a few of the women which she wrote about were working in some ways to counteract that activity and those mentalities. But that’s about the end of my list of things I liked about the book.
On the other side of the coin—it took me a long time to get through this book. It just felt like a slog, and I can’t tell if it’s bad writing, bad editing, or both. Overall, I felt like it just read terribly. It seems like Ms. Zanglein was trying to jump on the narrative nonfiction bandwagon. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a hand for it. She had a collection of interesting stories about interesting women, but the way she chose to tell those stories and thread them on a collective narrative was chaotic and disorganized. Which is odd because she seemed to have a quite natural built-in narrative theme in the story of the formation of the Society of Women Geographers. The narrative just jumped around so much. The last few paragraphs of some chapters include information that is only tenuously connected to the bulk of that chapter’s subject material, feeling almost tacked on as an afterthought, in what seems like a clumsy attempt to connect one chapter to the next. Additionally, some stories about certain women seemed almost unfinished. I often felt like I was left waiting to hear more about a certain individual, only to be left disappointed. And, despite my earlier praise for her acknowledging the problematic history of “exploring,” she did tend to gloss over problematic tales of some members of the society.
But perhaps the greatest of all sins (in my eyes) is that for a book celebrating pioneering women’s achievements, Ms. Zanglein dedicated an eye popping about of words/pages/chapters to MEN, often the very men who were getting in the way of these pioneering women. I swear there’s more written about Blair Niles’ husband almost than there is about her. Which makes the last a few chapters that are a passionate discussion of the erasure of the contributions of many of the women presented an especially cruel irony. These women deserved better.
On the other side of the coin—it took me a long time to get through this book. It just felt like a slog, and I can’t tell if it’s bad writing, bad editing, or both. Overall, I felt like it just read terribly. It seems like Ms. Zanglein was trying to jump on the narrative nonfiction bandwagon. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a hand for it. She had a collection of interesting stories about interesting women, but the way she chose to tell those stories and thread them on a collective narrative was chaotic and disorganized. Which is odd because she seemed to have a quite natural built-in narrative theme in the story of the formation of the Society of Women Geographers. The narrative just jumped around so much. The last few paragraphs of some chapters include information that is only tenuously connected to the bulk of that chapter’s subject material, feeling almost tacked on as an afterthought, in what seems like a clumsy attempt to connect one chapter to the next. Additionally, some stories about certain women seemed almost unfinished. I often felt like I was left waiting to hear more about a certain individual, only to be left disappointed. And, despite my earlier praise for her acknowledging the problematic history of “exploring,” she did tend to gloss over problematic tales of some members of the society.
But perhaps the greatest of all sins (in my eyes) is that for a book celebrating pioneering women’s achievements, Ms. Zanglein dedicated an eye popping about of words/pages/chapters to MEN, often the very men who were getting in the way of these pioneering women. I swear there’s more written about Blair Niles’ husband almost than there is about her. Which makes the last a few chapters that are a passionate discussion of the erasure of the contributions of many of the women presented an especially cruel irony. These women deserved better.
August 3, 2022
Intro.
regarding the lame coverage of Gloria Hollister’s presentation, “Blair was not surprised… She knew that it was nearly impossible for men to see genius when Beauty is staring them down.”
P. 3
a headline “Some Blondes Have Brains”
Amelia Earhart, “is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”
P. 53
😳 I cannot imagine wanting to climb a mountain so badly that I’d go up for the SIXTH time after seeing someone amputate six fingers and half a foot.
regarding the lame coverage of Gloria Hollister’s presentation, “Blair was not surprised… She knew that it was nearly impossible for men to see genius when Beauty is staring them down.”
P. 3
a headline “Some Blondes Have Brains”
Amelia Earhart, “is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”
P. 53
😳 I cannot imagine wanting to climb a mountain so badly that I’d go up for the SIXTH time after seeing someone amputate six fingers and half a foot.
April 1, 2022
DNF at 40%.
MAN, I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with Zanglein's approach and writing. It seemed to me that her narrative lurched all over the place; she'd start a chapter discussing one person, and abruptly switch a couple pages in to someone else altogether, often with only a tenuous link between the two subjects. In one chapter, she starts off talking about the role some of her subjects played in the suffrage movement, and that veers off into suffrage generally; it feels disconnected from her overall narrative. There were also numerous parenthetical mentions of who would become a Society of Women Geographers member that sometimes interrupted the flow of the narrative. I also thought her writing could use a little polish. The prose seemed awkward a lot of the time. For example, at one point she uses the word "bypassers" instead of "passersby"; I understand what she means but it just felt like such a strange and inelegant word choice.
Overall, I'd say this was a really interesting topic that would have benefited from a better organizational approach and a good editor. I'm bummed to have to give it such a negative review.
MAN, I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with Zanglein's approach and writing. It seemed to me that her narrative lurched all over the place; she'd start a chapter discussing one person, and abruptly switch a couple pages in to someone else altogether, often with only a tenuous link between the two subjects. In one chapter, she starts off talking about the role some of her subjects played in the suffrage movement, and that veers off into suffrage generally; it feels disconnected from her overall narrative. There were also numerous parenthetical mentions of who would become a Society of Women Geographers member that sometimes interrupted the flow of the narrative. I also thought her writing could use a little polish. The prose seemed awkward a lot of the time. For example, at one point she uses the word "bypassers" instead of "passersby"; I understand what she means but it just felt like such a strange and inelegant word choice.
Overall, I'd say this was a really interesting topic that would have benefited from a better organizational approach and a good editor. I'm bummed to have to give it such a negative review.
January 12, 2021
While I would not necessarily call all the women portrayed in this great book explorers, I do agree that they were strong, determined, inspirational women who sought the life that they wanted to live. Each mini-biography contained in the book portrays brave souls who thought that women are equal to men in every way and lived their lives to prove it. They are oft unsung, unwitting heroes of the women’s rights movement who made a difference in the lives of all the women that would come after them. I highly recommend this well written, interesting, factual, and inspiring book to everyone, not just women. Thank you NetGalley for the advance read copy.
February 22, 2021
I really wanted to like this book, but the style of writing and information just did not click with me. I thought that I was going to learn about a few specific previously unknown women and instead got a lot of glossing and more information on Amelia Earhart. Like other reviewers, the writing style was choppy and not snappy. That being said, I would like to join the "Society of Geographical Woman."
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, but my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, but my opinions are my own.
April 5, 2022
Incredible women doing things that people should know about? Yes. Engaging writing that will keep one's interest? Not so much. I was disappointed in both the writing and in the lack of actual stories in this book. I had high hopes for it. It also seemed to lack actual *stories* about the adventures and feats of these amazing women doing these impressive feats. Well researched but disappointing.
March 13, 2022
I was disappointed by this book and felt a little hoodwinked. I thought I was getting a nonfiction history book that would tell some little known stories from the past for women explorers that I hadn't heard before but instead I got a feminist book that complained that all the problems in the world and all of women's lack of representation in history is due to evil white men.
The author felt it more important to complain about a lack of women stories in history than actually share stories so that the would make it into history. Often the very things that she would complain about the men in this story the women were guilty of as well. When they started the women's explorers club they excluded some women based on the idea that they weren't THEIR kind of women. She complained about marginalized people and people of color but didn't tell the story of a single colored women explorer (Bessie Coleman, anyone?). She complained about William Beebee "discarding" his girlfriends and yet Blair Niles did the exact same thing years before, even moving next door to a man she was attracted to and then she ran away to Nevada to get a divorce so she could marry him
As the father of four girls I would rather that they knew that their success in life or their failure was their own and not the result of the world or a gender against them. Yes it is possible to succeed as ANYONE in today's world. I would also like them to know that their success in life is defined by them not someone else's idea of what a woman should be. Feminists like the ones told about I this book are just as guilty as the men they complain about if the woman doesn't match their definition of what a woman should be, an unfortunate message to send to our children.
I don't know why the author didn't tell the stories of the women she mentioned in the epilogue. It would have been a much better book. Something tells me this book actually started as a biography of Blair Niles and the publisher had the author add a bunch of extra stuff and turn it into a girl explorers book so it would actually sell. By the way, if she's such a feminist, why did she title her book The GIRL explores. A little condescending and something a male author would never be able to do. Some of you may say the title was the point of the book. But again another lost opportunity to prove the equality of women rather than complaining about perceived slights from the past.
The are better books out there if you're really interested in finding contributions that women made to history. Dava Sobel has a good book on female scientists called "The Glass Universe". Or "The woman who smashed codes" by Jason Fagone tells the story of mathematician and cryptologist Elizabeth Smith who helped break coded messages during World War II. Or "Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet" by Claire Evens (if you want a book that illustrates where women made contributions that you might not thought of, this is the book).
Lost opportunity by the author.
The author felt it more important to complain about a lack of women stories in history than actually share stories so that the would make it into history. Often the very things that she would complain about the men in this story the women were guilty of as well. When they started the women's explorers club they excluded some women based on the idea that they weren't THEIR kind of women. She complained about marginalized people and people of color but didn't tell the story of a single colored women explorer (Bessie Coleman, anyone?). She complained about William Beebee "discarding" his girlfriends and yet Blair Niles did the exact same thing years before, even moving next door to a man she was attracted to and then she ran away to Nevada to get a divorce so she could marry him
As the father of four girls I would rather that they knew that their success in life or their failure was their own and not the result of the world or a gender against them. Yes it is possible to succeed as ANYONE in today's world. I would also like them to know that their success in life is defined by them not someone else's idea of what a woman should be. Feminists like the ones told about I this book are just as guilty as the men they complain about if the woman doesn't match their definition of what a woman should be, an unfortunate message to send to our children.
I don't know why the author didn't tell the stories of the women she mentioned in the epilogue. It would have been a much better book. Something tells me this book actually started as a biography of Blair Niles and the publisher had the author add a bunch of extra stuff and turn it into a girl explorers book so it would actually sell. By the way, if she's such a feminist, why did she title her book The GIRL explores. A little condescending and something a male author would never be able to do. Some of you may say the title was the point of the book. But again another lost opportunity to prove the equality of women rather than complaining about perceived slights from the past.
The are better books out there if you're really interested in finding contributions that women made to history. Dava Sobel has a good book on female scientists called "The Glass Universe". Or "The woman who smashed codes" by Jason Fagone tells the story of mathematician and cryptologist Elizabeth Smith who helped break coded messages during World War II. Or "Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet" by Claire Evens (if you want a book that illustrates where women made contributions that you might not thought of, this is the book).
Lost opportunity by the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2022
Full review at: https://readingourshelves.wordpress.c...
The author introduces us to an actual society that existed (and still exists) for women explorers. It was founded because, at the time, women were excluded from other similar societies/professional groups. And yet, women were going on travel expeditions, writing books about their travels, and more!
One of the ongoing themes that really struck a chord is that, often, women were part of bigger (co-ed) expeditions that men took all the credit for. They helped write (or type, or edit) the travel books that had men’s names attached as the sole author. Or they took all the photographs. Sometimes these men were their husbands or lovers, but not always.
As I said, the individual stories were often interesting. Some members whose names are still known include Margaret Mead and Amelia Earhart, for example. Others traveled to Asia and South America; some were artists, divers, filmmakers, or mountain climbers. The book also delves into the suffragist movement a little.
This brings me to one of the missteps I felt like this book took… as it went on, it started bringing up all kinds of social movements of the time, including the plights of other races and of the LGBT community. Most of the women of the Society were white women of some means (at least enough to travel regularly), and tying their causes to some of these other ones seemed like it was treading close to becoming a “white savior” narrative.
The author tries to tie every story/chapter to the next, and often these transitions seem forced. Also, as some women were older than others, the stories skip back and forth in time, making these transitions even more wonky. The book as a whole didn’t feel like it had a great flow, if you will. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Overall, I’m glad I pushed my way through this one. I was happy to learn about some of these women, and their work, many of whom I had not read about before. But as a whole, the book felt a little like “work” to get through.
The author introduces us to an actual society that existed (and still exists) for women explorers. It was founded because, at the time, women were excluded from other similar societies/professional groups. And yet, women were going on travel expeditions, writing books about their travels, and more!
One of the ongoing themes that really struck a chord is that, often, women were part of bigger (co-ed) expeditions that men took all the credit for. They helped write (or type, or edit) the travel books that had men’s names attached as the sole author. Or they took all the photographs. Sometimes these men were their husbands or lovers, but not always.
As I said, the individual stories were often interesting. Some members whose names are still known include Margaret Mead and Amelia Earhart, for example. Others traveled to Asia and South America; some were artists, divers, filmmakers, or mountain climbers. The book also delves into the suffragist movement a little.
This brings me to one of the missteps I felt like this book took… as it went on, it started bringing up all kinds of social movements of the time, including the plights of other races and of the LGBT community. Most of the women of the Society were white women of some means (at least enough to travel regularly), and tying their causes to some of these other ones seemed like it was treading close to becoming a “white savior” narrative.
The author tries to tie every story/chapter to the next, and often these transitions seem forced. Also, as some women were older than others, the stories skip back and forth in time, making these transitions even more wonky. The book as a whole didn’t feel like it had a great flow, if you will. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Overall, I’m glad I pushed my way through this one. I was happy to learn about some of these women, and their work, many of whom I had not read about before. But as a whole, the book felt a little like “work” to get through.
March 11, 2021
The Girl Explorers takes the reader on adventures with American women explorers of the early 1900s. It is the most comprehensive history ever written about the Society of Woman Geographers (SWG). Zanglein writes about the four founders of the Society through the eyes of Blair Niles, one of the founders. The women created the organization in 1925 after being frustrated with the Explorers Club banning them from joining, but women were just as adventurous as men. Harriet Chalmers Adams was the first president; she wrote that “a woman’s place is anywhere she jolly well pleases to go.” Early members were suffragists, mountain climbers, aviators, polar explorers, scientists, geographers, anthropologists, prison reformers, as well as civil rights activists and politicians. Zanglein features the ‘girls’ that worked at William Beebe’s tropical research station, including Gloria Hollister famous for deep dives in a submersible, and Dorothy Putman the first wife of Amelia Earhart’s husband and a naturalist and explorer in her own right. Blair Niles wrote her breakthrough book about the history of Haiti through the eyes of the slaves, exposed the Devil’s Island prison in French Guiana and wrote about gay Harlem. Some women are getting more recognition today, such as Annie Peck, the mountaineer and Latin American expert, and oldest member of the SWG when it was formed. Others are famous such as Amelia Earhart and Pearl Buck. Yet there are many little known women that should not be forgotten about such as the Native America, Te Ata, a story teller who performed at the White House, and underwater painter Else Bostermann who catalogued the sea creatures with fine detail. Zanglein discusses the Matilda effect where men are given recognition for work women really did in science. These women are finally being given the credit they deserve in this interesting new book that men and women, and young and old will enjoy.
January 30, 2021
This is a hard book to classify in that it is really a lot of mini-biographies of woman who were famous (mostly in the late twenties and thirties) for being the first woman to accomplish feats of daring like climbing mountains, exploring jungles, flying planes, defining ethnological anthropological differences between human groups (such as Margaret Mead).
Because the 'Explorers' club excluded woman, they set-up their own group called "Society of Geographical Woman (SGW)" where they could meet other girls (their word) like themselves. It became a way for older women to share their experiences with other woman outside of the male dominated sciences. There is no question that they were discriminated against by academia and the media, but they persisted.
The writing is difficult mainly because the author usually writes fiction and it doesn't always transfer to the skill of writing biography. There is a tendency to laps into repetition where there is an overlap in the lives and accomplishments of some of the woman. There is also a problem with how Zanglein presents the woman themselves and those they work with or "travel" with. One example is a discussion of the shopping trip one of Amelia Earhardt's friend takes her in London (which makes the story too girlie).
Because the 'Explorers' club excluded woman, they set-up their own group called "Society of Geographical Woman (SGW)" where they could meet other girls (their word) like themselves. It became a way for older women to share their experiences with other woman outside of the male dominated sciences. There is no question that they were discriminated against by academia and the media, but they persisted.
The writing is difficult mainly because the author usually writes fiction and it doesn't always transfer to the skill of writing biography. There is a tendency to laps into repetition where there is an overlap in the lives and accomplishments of some of the woman. There is also a problem with how Zanglein presents the woman themselves and those they work with or "travel" with. One example is a discussion of the shopping trip one of Amelia Earhardt's friend takes her in London (which makes the story too girlie).
February 1, 2021
We think of National Geographic Society explorers as a group of men who head off to the unknown hacking away jungle brush with machetes, blindly heading into a blizzard in the Arctic or joining nomad tribes in the brutal Sahara. What we don't think of are the equally (if not more so) brave female adventurers who not only had to face the same challenges and danger in territories unknown but also had to fight their male counterparts and society to be taken seriously. The members were as diverse as their backgrounds and area of study. They were more interested in the study of social conditions, native cultures and nature than many of their male counterparts who were only interested in conquest. This is a fascinating look at how these women flourished with the help of their association to the society and its members. The most remarkable point is that the society began in the 1920's. While most of the names will not ring any bells, their stories and accomplishments are fascinating. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
October 4, 2021
ARC copy from Raincoast books received for this review. My opinions are my own.
As a homeschooling parent I can easily see the use of The Girl Explorers within a curriculum. Middle through high school students won’t want to miss history that might not be explained in other history books. Seeing the world through the eyes of women will add a depth to history not to be lost!
As a bit of a history buff, I found it fascinating seeing history through the eyes of women, and sometimes the men that accompanied them. The experiences of these women were so varied I didn’t find myself bored at all as I made my way through the pages. If you are learning about how French prisoners were treated, or climb a mountain in Peru, or discover deep sea fish… check it out, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll learn! And scattered throughout is the fight for equality, not just for women, but the various peoples they find along the way.
As a homeschooling parent I can easily see the use of The Girl Explorers within a curriculum. Middle through high school students won’t want to miss history that might not be explained in other history books. Seeing the world through the eyes of women will add a depth to history not to be lost!
As a bit of a history buff, I found it fascinating seeing history through the eyes of women, and sometimes the men that accompanied them. The experiences of these women were so varied I didn’t find myself bored at all as I made my way through the pages. If you are learning about how French prisoners were treated, or climb a mountain in Peru, or discover deep sea fish… check it out, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll learn! And scattered throughout is the fight for equality, not just for women, but the various peoples they find along the way.
March 25, 2023
This was a wonderful book to be reading during Women's History month. In the early 1930's women wanted to be admitted to the then all-male Explorer's Club. The then president of the club said, "women are not adapted to exploration." So those inadapt women formed their own club.
This book tells the stories of many of the first members of the Girl Explorer's Club. It is wonderful reading about these first acknowledged 'explorers'. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Wonderful having pictures of many of the women. To this day, I believe there is only one woman who had been admitted to the previously all-male Explorer's Club.
Because I was so fond of this book, I looked up the author. To my sorrow, this talented author and lawyer. Jayne Aznglein died in 2022. My condolenced to her husband and mother to whom she dedicated this book.
This book tells the stories of many of the first members of the Girl Explorer's Club. It is wonderful reading about these first acknowledged 'explorers'. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Wonderful having pictures of many of the women. To this day, I believe there is only one woman who had been admitted to the previously all-male Explorer's Club.
Because I was so fond of this book, I looked up the author. To my sorrow, this talented author and lawyer. Jayne Aznglein died in 2022. My condolenced to her husband and mother to whom she dedicated this book.
July 29, 2021
The Society of Women Geographers was formed in the 20's as a result of the Explorers Club's denial of female members. This book tells the story of the founding o the Society and its early and famous members. Explorers, naturalists, zoologists, artists, and writers the women discussed in this book used their privilege to not only explore and document the world and its peoples, but also to get credit for their work, although many of them did a lot of work that was claimed by their husbands and other male colleagues. With photographs throughout and lots of interesting stories this book was a good read. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher as part of a Women's History Month prize pack.
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August 16, 2021Unfortunately, the copy i read had some kind of perfume in it. eeewwww!!!!
but the book was interesting. I was particularly troubled and angered by several things. On page 114, as the picketers for women's suffrage arrived at prison, the guards had moved black women prisoners to the same cells (AS F IF) hoping it would "provoke" the women. seriously? how absolutely beyond the pale is that? But the idea that the races had to be separated in the first place is just gross. There is only one race anyway, the human race.
Then, i learned about coverture. Did not know this (how did i not?) you must read this to believe it.
it's too too spitting nails to repeat.
I did get a little lost in some of the affairs and unnecessary traveling around and name dropping, but most of it was good.
but the book was interesting. I was particularly troubled and angered by several things. On page 114, as the picketers for women's suffrage arrived at prison, the guards had moved black women prisoners to the same cells (AS F IF) hoping it would "provoke" the women. seriously? how absolutely beyond the pale is that? But the idea that the races had to be separated in the first place is just gross. There is only one race anyway, the human race.
Then, i learned about coverture. Did not know this (how did i not?) you must read this to believe it.
it's too too spitting nails to repeat.
I did get a little lost in some of the affairs and unnecessary traveling around and name dropping, but most of it was good.
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