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Revolutions

How Women Changed the World on Two Wheels
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( 261 ratings, 46 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Revolutions by Hannah Ross explores the history of women and cycling, celebrating the remarkable women who broke societal barriers by taking up the bicycle. From Simone de Beauvoir's discovery of freedom on two wheels in 1940s Paris to Alice Hawkins's use of cycling to advocate for women's suffrage, and from Zahra Naarin Hussano's defiance of cultural taboos in Afghanistan to Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky's pioneering global cycling journey in 1894, these stories showcase courage and empowerment. Ross highlights how cycling became a powerful symbol and tool for women's independence and social change, shedding light on extraordinary figures often overlooked or forgotten.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Revolutions is ideal for readers interested in sports history, social history, women's rights, and cycling enthusiasts who appreciate stories of empowerment and breaking conventions.

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The highly praised and fascinating story of the women through history who broke from convention and cycled their way to freedom

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'Eye-opening and inspirational . . . An utterly fascinating and gloriously fiery read' FELICITY CLOAKE

'A barnstorming book' GUARDIAN

'Fascinating . . . full of inspirational tales' OBSERVER

Simone de Beauvoir borrowed her lover's bike to cycle around Paris in the 1940s, instantly falling in love with the freedom it gave her (even when an accident caused her to lose a tooth). Alice Hawkins, a factory worker from Leicester, pedal-powered her fight for universal suffrage as the bicycle became a cornerstone of her work to recruit women to the cause.

Zahra Naarin Hussano challenged religious and cultural taboos in Afghanistan to ride a bike and teach others to do the same. As a twenty-four-year-old Latvian immigrant living in Boston, in 1894 Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky became the first woman to cycle around the world. She took up the challenge, despite never having ridden a bike before, after two men bet a woman couldn't do it.

Many of these women were told they couldn't or shouldn't cycle, but they did so anyway. Whether winning medals or spreading the word about votes for women, their stories are an inspiration. In this gloriously celebratory book, Revolutions, Hannah Ross introduces us to the women who are part of the rich and varied history of cycling, many of whom have been pushed to the margins or forgotten.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Guardian praises it as a "likeable, informative and barnstorming book," while the Observer calls it "a rich story of empowerment, adventure and the sheer exhilaration of riding a bicycle." Herald Scotland describes it as "a heart-soaring tribute" and "a rallying cry." Felicity Cloake hails it as "eye-opening and inspirational," an "utterly fascinating, and gloriously fiery read." The book is also noted for being engaging and comprehensive despite its concise length.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781474611381

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 April 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Illustration: B&W integrated

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Hannah Ross works for an independent publisher in London. When she isn't working on other people's books or writing her own, she is usually on a bike. She belongs to a local cycling club and also volunteers for a charity helping refugee women learn to ride bikes. Whenever she can, she packs up her saddlebag and heads for the open road, and now she doesn't feel she's really travelled anywhere unless it's on two wheels. Given the choice, Hannah would always rather be (slowly) pedalling up mountains than almost anywhere else. She also spends too long thinking about the next bicycle she really 'needs'.

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