Victoria Preston Why Women Fight review and information book on the Long History of Women in Combat. History Press will publish the book by Victoria Preston about the history of women in combat on July 9, 2026. On this page you can read information about the content of the book, the author and the publication.
Victoria Preston Why Women Fight reviews and information
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- “Punchily written, erudite and sizzlingly timely, Victoria Preston lifts the stifling taboos that still surround the topic of women in combat. From ancient Assyria to the battlefields of Ukraine, she paints an insightful and sympathetic picture of women warriors, what brings them to war, how they fight, and the scars left by victory and defeat. As national security rises to the top of our agenda, this clear-eyed, well-informed look at the martial traditions and capabilities of half of humanity could not be more welcome.” (Edward Lucas, Times columnist and director Baltic International Security Centre)
- “From the ancient world to the drone-filled battlefields of contemporary Ukraine, Preston explores the role of women on the front lines of war with eloquence and nuance. Women take up arms for many reasons, and this book offers a richly textured, deeply personal account of that global phenomenon. Through vivid portraits of women combatants — their lived experiences, choices, and motivations — Preston brings to life stories that are often overlooked, making a significant scholarly contribution to our understanding of women in the history of modern warfare. A fantastic read.” (Nicholas Michelsen, Professor of International Relations, Dept of War Studies, King’s College London)
Why Women Fight
The Long History of Women in Combat
- Author: Victoria Preston (England)
- Book type: Militairy history
- Publisher: The History Press
- To be released: July 9, 2026
- Length: 220 pages
- Format: hardback / ebook
- Prize: £ 20.00
- Buying Options >
Blurb of the book by Victoria Preston about the history of women in combat
Why do women fight in wars? The short answer is simply that women, like men, fight because they must. The longer answer is inevitably more complex.
Why Women Fight is a look into what drives women to take up arms, examining these reasons through the lives of individuals on the front lines. Busting the myth that female soldiers are a manifestation of modernity, it begins with Semiramis, a former milkmaid attributed with expanding the Babylonian empire, and concludes with Tatyana, a former shop assistant who went on to command a Ukrainian battalion of a thousand men.
Incorporating extraordinary interviews with resistance fighters, illegal paramilitaries, conscripts and regular volunteers, Victoria Preston explores some of the reasons why throughout history women have joined the fray.
Victoria Preston has a background in strategic communications, and over the course of four decades has advised international corporations and governments, working with clients all over the world. At the age of 59 she was tapped up to join the British Army as a Specialist Reservist Officer. Serving under the Royal Engineers cap badge she contributed to a variety of assignments, including sitting on a number of advisory boards. While she stepped down in 2025, Victoria continues to support the British military in a civilian capacity.