Woman, Captain, Rebel

By Margaret Willson,

Book cover of Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain

Book description

A daring and magnificent historical narrative nonfiction account of Iceland's most famous female sea captain who constantly fought for women's rights and equality-and who also solved one of the country's most notorious robberies.

Every day was a fight for survival, equality, and justice for Iceland's most renowned female fishing captain…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Woman, Captain, Rebel as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love true stories of strong women who defy our expectations. Iceland’s fishing industry in the early 1800s would seem to be a man’s world.

But Captain Thurídur was one of many women who rowed out into the icy North Atlantic in open boats—and in winter, no less—to catch the fish that powered Iceland’s colonial economy.

Haunted by a ghost, a believer in elves and omens, Thurídur could read the waves and weather like no one else. Her catches were legendary. Best, in her 50 years at sea, not one of her crewmembers drowned. 

Want books like Woman, Captain, Rebel?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Woman, Captain, Rebel.

Browse books like Woman, Captain, Rebel

Book cover of Seawomen of Iceland: Survival on the Edge
Book cover of Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World
Book cover of Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Iceland, women, and sea captains?

Iceland 63 books
Women 653 books
Sea Captains 17 books