The Stronger Sex

What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body

Starre Vartan

$36.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Atlantic Books
24 July 2025

Gender studies: women; Sociology: sport & leisure; Popular science; Women's health

'Fun, rooted in science... May this book give all women strength for the times we now live in.' Cat Bohannon

A myth-busting vindication of women's physical strengths

For decades, Starre Vartan - like most women - was told that having a woman's body meant being weaker than men. Like many women, she mostly believed it.

Not anymore.

Following a half decade of research into the newest science, Vartan shows in The Stronger Sex that women's bodies are incredibly powerful, flexible, and resilient in ways men's bodies aren't. Tossing aside the narrow notion of the tall, muscular man as the measure of strength, Vartan reveals the ways that women surpass men in endurance, flexibility, immunity, pain tolerance, and the ultimate test of any human body: longevity.

In interviews with dozens of researchers from biology, anthropology, physiology, and sports science, plus in-depth conversations with runners, swimmers, wrestlers, woodchoppers, thru-hikers, firefighters, and more, The Stronger Sex squashes outdated ideas about women's bodies.

It's a celebration of female strength that doesn't argue ""down with men"" but ""up with us all.""

By: Starre Vartan
Imprint: Atlantic Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Export/Airside
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 29mm
ISBN: 9781805460893
ISBN 10: 1805460897
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 24 July 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Starre Vartan is an independent freelance science writer with a focus on health-related biotech, mental health, disease and women's bodies, as well as animals and environment. She writes on health for CNN; regularly on biotechnology and health for Scientific American; and frequently about animals for National Geographic, as well as contributing science- and heath stories to the Washington Post, Dame magazine, Slate, Gizmodo, Hakai, Digital Trends, The Daily Beast and New York magazine. She has a BS in Geology, a BA in English, and, a minor in Biology and worked as a geologist specializing in hydrology in Connecticut before turning to writing about science and health.

Reviews for The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body

Fun, rooted in science, and a strong pitch for a Stronger Sex-three cheers for Starre Vartan reminding us all that female bodies are built to endure. May this book give all women strength for the times we now live in. -- Cat Bohannon