Reviews of Women and the Olympic Dream

The following is a sampling of what readers have thought about Women and the Olympic Dream:

Enhanced with B/W historical photos, “Women and the Olympic Dream”… is a seminal and groundbreaking study. Original, informative, and exceptional, “Women and the Olympic Dream” is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community and college/university library… collections.

Midwest Book Review (January 2025)


Occasionally illustrated with black-and-white images and an absolutely fascinating and informative read bringing out of an undeserved obscurity the story of women in sports overcoming discrimination on the Olympic Games level, “Women and the Olympic Dream: The Continuing Struggle for Equality, 1896-2021” is a singularly and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library Women’s Sports History collections in general, and Olympic Games History supplemental curriculum studies lists, in particular.

Midwest Book Review (September 2022)

Continuing struggle indeed: Maria Kaj gets us ready for athletic competition and then races us through the many decades and decisions that have followed female Olympians since they were “allowed” to compete, recording their agonies and accomplishments in a free-ranging style that underscores the value of women’s sports…

Dr. Linda K. Fuller, Worcester State University, author of Female Olympian and Paralympian Events: Analyses, Backgrounds, and Timelines (reviewed July 2022)

Maria Kaj’s lively, engaging, and humorous writing style brings to life the richness of women’s Olympic history. With every stride, stroke, and shot, women made history on sports’ global stage and Women and the Olympic Dream shines a much needed light on their achievements.

A must read for anyone interested in women’s important place in the Olympics’ past and its present.

Dr. Rita Liberti, California State University, East Bay, author of (Re)Presenting Wilma Rudolph (reviewed July 2022)