A Soldier and a Woman

Spanning three centuries and four continents, from the late medieval period to the present day, this collection builds a picture of the practical and ideological issues surrounding women soldiers, and the ambiguous place they inhabit, uncovering in the process a remarkable continuity across cultures and periods.

 The question of women''s role in the military is extremely topical. A Woman and a Soldier covers the experiences of women in the military from the late mediaeval period to the present day. Written in two volumes this comprehensive guide covers a wide range of wars: The Thirty Years War, the French and Indian Wars in Northern America, the Anglo-Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Long March in China, and the Vietnam War. There are also thematic chapters, including studies of terrorism and contemporary military service. Taking a multidisciplinary approach: historical, anthropological, and cultural, the book shows the variety of arguments used to support or deny women''s military service and the combat taboo. In the process the book challenges preconceived notions about women''s integration in the military and builds a picture of the ideological and practical issues surrounding women soldiers.