Sisters in arms is the first complete history of Catholic nuns in the Western world. It presents the struggle of two thousand years of spiritual realization and vocational Christian religious epic drama that runs each period century by century of Christianity from its beginnings to the present. History has often downplayed the role of nuns in the world. This book is, however, recognizes the prime of their lives, their work, the influence exerted on the Church and society. McNamara portrays the mystical personality, scholars, artists, political activists, nurses and teachers, women whose religious vocation has allowed them to break down the traditional barriers of womanhood.