Drawing on primary sources for her revisionist history, the author highlights important contributions of women healers from ancient times to the present.

Offering a provocative reconstruction of the history of women's healing practices, Brooke argues that the medieval image of the healer as witch was deliberately constructed by Church officials to discredit women's powers. In its place she provides a more accurate picture of these innovative, compassionate, and capable practitioners. "Brooke's women healers are gentle and compassionate people, less concerned with the brilliance of developing technology than with the care of the patient."