A History of the World in 21 Women cover art

A History of the World in 21 Women

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A History of the World in 21 Women

By: Jenni Murray
Narrated by: Jenni Murray
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $22.99

Buy Now for $22.99

About this listen

I was 10 years old when I came across Boadicea, and she became the first woman to make me realise that the designated future of a girl born in 1950 - to be sweet, domesticated, undemanding and super feminine - was not necessarily the case.

Boadicea battled the Romans. Nancy Astor fought in Parliament. Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for female suffrage. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became a pioneering physician in a man’s profession. Mary Quant revolutionised the fashion industry.

Britain has traditionally been defined by its conflicts, its conquests, its men and its monarchs. It’s high time that it was defined by its women. In this unique history, Jenni Murray tells the stories of 21 women who refused to succumb to the established laws of society, whose lives embodied hope and change. Famous queens, forgotten visionaries, great artists and trailblazing politicians - all pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world. In Murray’s hands their stories are enthralling and beguiling; they have the power to inspire us once again.

©2018 Jenni Murray (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Women World Royalty Imperialism Social justice Suffrage
All stars
Most relevant  
What a great idea to take a selection of women and view the world history. Such a selection. Well read by the author, interesting beyond words. Great listening experience.

Fabulous look at the world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very enjoyable to listen to in the background while i was painting. covered many of the powerful and remarkable women that have made themselves memorable in history.

Enjoyable and enlightening to women's struggles

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
loved it, HerStory not history - at last. I heard of a few kickass women I didn't know of before this.

strong women - love it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved it. I learnt so much and it was very interesting listening. I recommend it.

Great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Inspiring, frustrating, heart breaking, infuriating!
All of these emotions and more were felt as I listened to the stories of great women and the obstacles they overcame ( or didn’t) as they carved out a slightly easier path for women coming behind them.
This is important work Jenni, don’t park here.

21 is just the tip of the ice berg, keep going

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have learnt so much through this book and value the articulation of many of my thoughts and feelings. Please listen!

Fascinating stories of inspiring women!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Jenni Murray mostly overlooks, underplays qnd offers excuses for Chanel's disgraceful antisemitism, nazi sympathising, relationship with a gestapo agent, collaboration and working directly for nazi intelligence. It is portrayed as an insignificant side note to an impressive and wonderful life, rather than the defining and disgraceful period that it was. Anyone who underplays these facts is academically dishonest. There should be no underplaying or excuses for nazism.

Coco Chanel chapter brushed over Nazi past.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.