Drawing on memoirs, letters and diaries, this original and compelling work exposes the hidden history of women who chose to live, work and love as men. it reveals for the first time a long, popular tradition in Western culture, tracing these fascinating heroines from the height of their popularity in the 1700s to their re-emergence as a nation's pride and joy during the First World War. Julie Wheelwright uncovers vibrant tales of adventure as women embark on a grand adventure, search for a lost lover or simply escape the dull confines of domestic life. In this new fully updated edition, she skilfully unravels their intriguing stories to show the price these women paid for their freedom and how changing concepts of masculinity and femininity still marshall our behaviour today.