One of the nearly-free-standing Discworld novels by Sir Terry Pratchett, humorist and folklorist author is Monstrous Regiment. It is the story of women going to war. Most are young, all are ugly and easily mistaken for boys, and their nation is losing the war. Most join the army to find missing family or lovers, or just to get away from the horrors at home. It being Discworld it is also comedy, and has monsters, and references wars on Earth. The style of war is similar to Napoleon, only before guns, so they're at the level of pikemen and crossbows. The comedy is largely along the lines of hiding by thin disguise and acting like the other gender, and people being Shakespearean level of dumb. Its an enjoyable book and surprisingly tender on the subject of civil rights, and the cruel stupidity of bad religion.Certain soldiers in Syria fighting stupidity today might appreciate this book.
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