Nine Women: Portraits from the American Radical Tradition

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Marvelous and Inspiring
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It was inspiring and moving and informative and beautifully written. I read every word, and was moved to tears several times. One of the true revelations was the piece about Bella Abzug, as I'd fallen prey to the media's image of her as a crazy broad with a hat! It was great to learn about the 'whole' Bella. The Charlotte Perkins Gilman chapter was also highly educational, as I'd only known her through The Yellow Wallpaper. But every chapter was fascinating, from the one on Mother Jones to the heart-wrenching story of Fannie Lou Hamer. I found myself reading passages aloud to my husband frequently, and he was equally moved and impressed.

Thanks to Judith Nies for writing it, and for so beautifully telling the moving stories of these heroic women. Bravo, bravo, bravo....

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Marvelous and Inspiring
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It was inspiring and moving and informative and beautifully written. I read every word, and was moved to tears several times. One of the true revelations was the piece about Bella Abzug, as I'd fallen prey to the media's image of her as a crazy broad with a hat! It was great to learn about the 'whole' Bella. The Charlotte Perkins Gilman chapter was also highly educational, as I'd only known her through The Yellow Wallpaper. But every chapter was fascinating, from the one on Mother Jones to the heart-wrenching story of Fannie Lou Hamer. I found myself reading passages aloud to my husband frequently, and he was equally moved and impressed.

Thanks to Judith Nies for writing it, and for so beautifully telling the moving stories of these heroic women. Bravo, bravo, bravo....

Rating:
Summary: Fills a gap in the history books
Review: Were you, like me, alwaays vaguely aware of Mother Jones, but ignorant of exactly who she was and what she did? This book filled some important gaps in my general knowledge, and inspired me with the stories of women who were able to see through the injustices of their time (slavery, unfair labor practices, denying women the vote, polluting, etc.) and work toward a boader view of justice and dignity, often at great personal cost. Nies is a thoughtful and measured writer, letting her own anger at injustice shine through these women's stories rather than using her subjects to advance her own agenda. Highly recommended.