Book of Queens

The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror

By: Pardis Mahdavi

Narrated by: Pardis Mahdavi, Shila Ommi, Suzanne Toren, Sitara Attaie, Nikki Massoud, Sean Rohani

The untold story of generations of Middle Eastern freedom fighters—horsewomen who safeguarded an ancient breed of Caspian horse—and their efforts to defend their homelands from the Taliban and others seeking to destroy them.

"A breathtaking book that revisits nearly one hundred years of Iranian history, highlighting the power and beauty of women who refuse to be subdued.”―Alison Hawthorne Deming, author of A Woven World

Book of Queens reaches back centuries to the Persian Empire and a woman disguised as a man, facing an invading army, protected only by light armor and the stallion she sat astride. Mahdavi draws a thread from past to present: from her fearless Iranian grandmother, who guided survivors of domestic violence to independent mountain colonies in Afghanistan where the women, led by a general named Mina, became their country’s first line of defense from marauding warlords. To the female warriors who helped train and breed the horses used by US Green Berets when they touched down in October 2001, with a mission but insufficient intelligence on the ground—women whose contributions were then forgotten.

Pardis Mahdavi chases the legacy of Caspian horses and the women whose lives are saved by them, drawing on decades of research, newly-discovered diaries, and exclusive military sources. Among those intersecting stories is that of American Louise Firouz, who helped bring the breed back from the brink of extinction, connecting Virginia traders to British royals to the son of the Shah. Firouz’s life is forever changed when she meets Mahdavi’s own family, who run an unusual smuggling operation in addition to raising horses in a wild bid for freedom.

Book of Queens is an epic tale of hidden women whose communal knowledge was instrumental in saving an animal as ancient as civilization, and who were the genesis of their own liberation.

©2023 Pardis Mahdavi (P)2023 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

“In this magnificent story, Mahdavi unearths the tale of the feminist horsewomen warriors who from Persia to the contemporary Middle East overcame political tragedy and personal cruelty, creating a fighting force of their own and passing on their skills, defiant wisdom, and courage from generation to generation. Mahdavi weaves memoir, history, and recent events into an unforgettable narrative about East and West, the tragic costs of war, and the transformative power that bravery coupled with the bonds of sisterhood can unleash.”—Karen J. Greenberg, Center on National Security, Fordham Law

“A fascinating story that follows Iranian women and their horses through generations of history. The window into their extraordinary bravery and resilience should serve as an inspiration to women everywhere. A must-read for those seeking stories of female empowerment and courage.”—Jessica Donati, author of Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War, a Financial Times Book of the Year

“An exciting, passionate story about a long bond of women and horses set against a backdrop of upheaval and war. Pardis Mahdavi’s research is impeccable but even more, she is also a gifted storyteller who immerses us deeply into this world of courageous women and their incredible devotion to their horses. I loved this book!”—Elizabeth Letts, #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Ride of Her Life

Book of Queens

This story is one I knew only because I’ve read about Afghanistan’s history, but I had no idea how important the women riders were and all they accomplished. I’m heartbroken that the original soldiers going in weren’t made aware of this group and required to work with them. I will never get to meet these powerful women, so reading about them is a true gift.

Loved this book!

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book! It was really well written and informative. Such a great story of strong women, and horses! I love historical publications especially if they include horses. The author did a wonderful job weaving the story together and allowing us to get to know the characters. I really liked the narrators as well. I highly recommend this book.

A MUST read that stirs, inspires, and leaves one changed!

After meeting Pardis, I felt drawn to learning more about her and her energetic heritage and reading this was an astonishing experience. The story and the lessons woven into them are moving and powerful.