John R. Effinger writes persuasively about the strengths and achievements of women of all ages from a variety of countries. Excerpt: "No one can deny the influence of woman which has been a potent factor in society, directly or indirectly, ever since the days of Mother Eve. Whether living in Oriental seclusion, or enjoying the freer life of the Western world, she has always played an important part in the onward march of events, and exercised a subtle power in all things, great and small. To appreciate this power properly, and give it a worthy narrative, is ever a difficult and well-nigh impossible task, at least for mortal man. Under the most favorable circumstances, the subject is elusive and difficult to approach, lacking in sequence, and often shrouded in mystery."