Women at War covers many aspects of the deployed female and is not psychiatry specific; it covers both the medical and mental health needs of women in the unusual setting of war.

The book is sensibly broken down into five parts. Each part focuses on sub-topics which address issues pertinent to women at war. These topics range from specific medical issues for deployed women and those home from war, to female-specific psychological considerations and the experiences of female veterans. There is also an extensive introduction.

I found part three, ‘Women home from war’, particularly interesting. It enlightened me on a plethora of issues that I had not previously considered, including the additional anxiety of a deployed or returning parent who is, in most cases, also the primary caregiver.

The role of women in the military is as topical as ever. Discussions are currently taking place regarding the consideration of wider roles for women within the armed forces. These include combat roles – often referred to as ‘front line’ roles (a term that is not particularly helpful in modern warfare). This book allows the reader to appreciate how women fit into the military as a whole and how the difference between them and their male counterparts plays out.

Women at War is written for those who would professionally care for women returning from operational service. It is imperative to note that any healthcare professional could come into contact with current or former servicewomen. With that in mind, its scope has potential for being wider than many will initially appreciate. It is well referenced and contains a balanced amount of data within the text to give the reader a good understanding before deciding whether to read the referenced articles.

Women at War comprehensively covers a topic which is seemingly under-published, and is thus an invaluable addition to any civilian or military medical library.