About the Book

In this entertaining and eye-opening collection, writer, actor, and feminist Tracy Dawson showcases trailblazers throughout history who disguised themselves as men and continuously broke the rules to gain access and opportunities denied them because they were women.

“This book will surprise, astonish, and hopefully anger you on the lengths women have had to go to pursue their dreams. Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren't this funny.”—Kay Cannon, writer, producer, director (the Pitch Perfect films, Cinderella)

“A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through.”—Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor and author

“I came up with Tracy as a fellow sketch comedian on the vomit-soaked stages of the Toronto comedy scene. And like the brilliant, resourceful, rule-breaking, damn-well-stubborn sisters in Let Me Be Frank, Tracy is someone who gets the job done, and gets it done well.”—Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee 

Let Me Be Frank illuminates with a wry warmth the incredible stories of a diverse group of women from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds who have defied the patriarchy, refusing to allow men or the status quo to define their lives or break their spirit. An often sardonic and thoroughly impassioned homage to female ingenuity and tenacity, the women profiled in this inspiring anthology broke the rules to reach their goals and refused to take “no” for an answer. These women took matters into their own hands, dressing—sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively—as men to do what they wanted to do. This includes competing in marathons, publishing books, escaping enslavement, practicing medicine, tunneling deep in the earth as miners, taking to the seas as pirates and serving on the frontlines in the military, among many other pursuits. Not only did these women persist, many unknowingly made history and ultimately inspired later generations in doing so. This compendium is an informative and enthralling celebration of these revolutionary badasses who have changed the world and our lives.

Let Me Be Frank is filled with more than two dozen specially commissioned, full-color illustrations and hand-lettering by artist Tina Berning, whose multi-award-winning work has been published in numerous publications and anthologies worldwide, and is designed by Alex Kalman.

WOMEN PROFILED INCLUDE: Jeanne Baret * Anne Bonny and Mary Read * Christian Caddell * Ellen Craft * Catalina De Erauso * Louise Augustine Gleizes * Hatshepsut * Annie Hindle and Florence Hines* Pili Hussein * Joan of Arc * Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi * Margaret King * Dorothy Lawrence * Tarpé Mills * Hannah Snell * Kathrine Switzer * Maria Toorpakai * Dr. Mary Edwards Walker * Cathay Williams

Critical Praise

“Stylish ink and watercolor drawings complement Dawson's amusing yet pointed biographical sketches. This spirited feminist history entertains and enlightens.” — Publishers Weekly

“[A]n easy-to-read, eye-opening look at female bravery amid the sexism and misogyny throughout history; it is funny and rousing and proud.” — Shelf Awareness

“Whether describing how women escaped enslavement, defined literary movements, ensured women can compete in judo on an Olympic level, or take to the high seas as pirates, Dawson’s biographies are as informative as they are entertaining. Full-color illustrations by artist Tina Berning beautifully round out the collection.” — Booklist

"An entertaining, astonishing collection celebrating the diverse trailblazers who disguised themselves as men... Let Me Be Frank is a witty, sometimes infuriating, wholly inspiring look at the lengths that women had to go to." — Buzzfeed

“A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through.” — Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor and author

"If you love history and you love women in history you're going to love this book. Tracy is so funny and sassy!" — Angela Kinsey, actress (The Office)

“This book will surprise, astonish, and hopefully anger you on the lengths women have had to go to pursue their dreams. Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren't this funny.” — Kay Cannon, writer, producer, director (the Pitch Perfect films, Cinderella)

“[L]ike the brilliant, resourceful, rule-breaking, damn-well-stubborn sisters in Let Me Be Frank, Tracy is someone who gets the job done, and gets it done well.” — Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

“A quirky volume that brings together stories of many interesting women for readers looking for a laugh and an education.” — Library Journal

“Dawson’s book is a loving tribute to those who did whatever they could to show that women unbound by gender roles can survive and thrive.” — Boston Globe

“Armed with her passionate, ultra-feminist irony, a mountain of research, and an appropriately witty title, Tracy Dawson takes aim at ancient patriarchal traditions by giving fierce, rule-breaking women, both known and little-known, a voice for their defiance.” — Historical Novel Society

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063061064
• ISBN 10: 0063061066
• Imprint: Harper
• On Sale: 05/10/2022
• Trimsize: 6.000 in (w) x 8.250 in (h) x 0.000 in (d)
• Pages: 224
• List Price: $29.99
• BISAC1 : HUMOR / Topic / History
• BISAC2 : HUMOR / Topic / LGBT
• BISAC3 : HISTORY / Social History
• BISAC4 : SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies
• BISAC5 : HISTORY / Women