That's what Colonel Mary Hallaren said in 1942 when an Army recruiting officer asked why she thought she should sign up to serve in World War II. That same spunky spirit has prompted American women to take part in every major war in the nation's history. These are some of their stories, from a young Massachusetts woman who cut off her long hair and disguised herself as a man to fight in the American Revolution more than 200 years ago to female pilots flying combat missions in Iraq in 2003. For many years women's contributions in the military weren't mentioned much in history books. Until recently, women had trouble even being allowed to serve because of a long-held belief that the military should be for men only. But that didn't stop thousands of women from pitching in to nurse wounded soldiers in the Civil War. Nor did it discourage the thousands who signed up as Navy yeomen office workers in World War I. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 5-8ű"You've come a long way, baby," is a phrase that aptly describes the role of American women in the armed forces. In this clearly written, well-organized book, Nathan traces the gains they have made from the Revolutionary War to the present day, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Glimpses of each time period are skillfully woven into the text, providing a solid historical overview. Each major war is discussed from the perspective of the female participants of that era, and quotes from individuals, insets with mini biographies, and an abundance of period photographs bring the narrative to life. The slow and difficult transition from women acting as helpers on the battlefield to fighting as soldiers alongside their male counterparts is described in detail. A discussion of sexual harassment and racial discrimination sheds light on some of the problems women have faced. Readers will find this book valuable for research and interesting for browsing.űLana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 6-9. I always wanted to drive a battleship. Not the lifelong dream of your typical girl, perhaps, but the fact that it was the goal of Navy Commander Susan Fink is a tribute to generations of women who preceded her, officially and unofficially, in military service. Nathan (Yankee Doodle Gals, 2002) celebrates those pioneering women, from individuals who disguised their gender to fight in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to Black Hawk pilots flying missions today. Quotes, striking photographs (such as a nurse clad in a prim white frock and a World War I gas mask), and personal profiles, including one of the aforementioned Commander Fink, lend Nathan's narrative variety and immediacy. With the Private Jessica Lynch story so much in the news, this engaging overview is likely to find an audience well primed to learn how times of national crisis have provided women opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and resolve. An extensive list of books and other resources will help young researchers. JenniferMattson. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Amy Nathan who majored in history at Harvard, has master's degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Columbia's Teachers College. She lives with her husband and two sons in New York State Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Foreword	5
Introduction / Remembered at Last	7
1 Revolutionary War 1775 - 1783	9
2 Civil War 1861 - 1865	15
3 World War I 1917 - 1918	25
4 World War II 1941 - 1945	37
5 Korean War 1950 - 1953	49
6 Vietnam War 1959 - 1975	55
7 Persian Gulf War 1990 - 1991	63
8 Keeping the Peace 1990s	73
9 Afghanistan, Iraq, & Beyond	79
Resources	86
Acknowledgments	88
Index	89

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.