Consulting standard biographical dictionaries while editing their encyclopedia Women in World History, the editors found that entries on women typically accounted for five percent or less of the texts and that even the women that were included were typically accorded shallower treatment than men. Some 25,000 alphabetical entries provide details on the lives of significant women in world history from the 32nd century B.C.E. to the present, including birth and death dates, important relatives, and accomplishments. Also included are 85 genealogical charts of historical ruling families, largely European, but also including Japan, Ancient Egypt, and Byzantium. The entries are presented in the first two volumes and the final third volume contains listings of entries indexed by historical era, geography, and occupation. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)