Thank you so much to NetGalley and Margaret Wilson for providing me with a complimentary digital audiobook ARC for Woman, Captain, Rebel coming out April 11, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The setting is Iceland in the 19th century. History would have us believe the seas were ruled solely by men. The men of Iceland became captains of ships and fishing merchants. They ran the industry. But there was one woman who fought for equality and proved to be the exception. She defied expectations and became a renowned fishing captain of her own ship with a crew of men and women.

Captain Thurídur is her name. She was born in Iceland in 1777. She lived a life that was both controversial and unconventional at the time. She was 11 when she first fished on the open unprotected rowboats. Soon after, she began wearing trousers to make work easier. She later became an acclaimed fishing captain brilliant at weather-reading and seacraft and consistently brought in the biggest catches. In the Arctic seas where drownings occurred, she held the record for never having lost a a single crew member. She was known for her talent of observation and she also solved a notorious crime. She was born into a society that was unfair to women, but she used the courts to fight for justice for the abused, and in her sixties, embarked on perilous journeys over wild, unexplored mountains.

Through great research, Margaret Willson brings to life Captain Thurídur's fascinating story, her extraordinary bravery, intelligence, and divine integrity.

Overall, I really loved this story! I’m interested in Viking history, but haven’t really read much about Iceland in the 19th century. I definitely think this should be turned into a movie if it hasn’t already. As a woman who loves history, I always like to seek out the fascinating stories where women forged a path and went against convention. I thought that Captain Thurídur's story was fascinating. I think she was still innately feminine while simultaneously being a strong leader for her crew. She seemed like a diplomatic problem-solver. She was willing to work with men, but also wanted to help women find work. I thought the book felt well-researched and well-written. It was fun to listen to as well.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical nonfiction about strong women!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A very well researched book. There were a few statements in it that rubbed me the wrong way and came across as opinion in the opening but other than that it was a great book.
Narrator was enjoyable to listen to.

I found the story of Captain Thurídur to be incredibly interesting and I'm thankful Margaret Willson shared it because I don't think I'd have ever known about her otherwise. I'm so glad this was written as a narrative nonfiction because it felt informative while also staying captivating throughout.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

What an amazingly talented non-fiction writer! This could have easily been a complicated, dry timeline, but Wilson skillfully brings the characters and scenery to life. The reader will feel the salt sea and farm earth in their hands.
The story is told in a chronological timeline. Each chapter center around a pivotal small-town moment. With so many insular communities of the time, gossip and ownership of a cow are all it takes to change a persons fortunes.
I can’t wait to go back to visit Iceland! Thank you for bringing this fun and daring life to light!

The author lost me with her opening but the rest of the book is interesting. Her opening states that… In the United States we have still not managed to pass an equal rights amendment for women. Since I know this to be false I had to question the accuracy of everything she had to say. That ruined the book for me.