This work investigates the multifaceted roles and experiences of women who served in combat, intelligence, and medical capacities across several major twentieth-century conflicts. Shelley Saywell, an experienced journalist and documentarian, compiles a series of oral histories to challenge the traditional male-centric narrative of warfare. By presenting these firsthand accounts, the author argues that women have been active, critical participants in military operations throughout modern history, often operating under extreme physical and psychological duress.

Historians and military scholars frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the recovery of women's voices in military history. Readers often note the emotional weight and clarity of the individual testimonies presented throughout the text.