On a summer day in 1846--two years before the Seneca Falls convention that launched the movement for woman's rights in the United States--six women in rural upstate New York sat down to write a petition to their state's constitutional convention; demanding "equal; and civil and political rights with men." Refusing to invoke the traditional language of deference; motherhood; or Christianity as they made their claim; the women even declined to defend their position; asserting that "a self evident truth is sufficiently plain without argument." Who were these women; Lori Ginzberg asks; and how might their story change the collective memory of the struggle for woman's rights?Very few clues remain about the petitioners; but Ginzberg pieces together information from census records; deeds; wills; and newspapers to explore why; at a time when the notion of women as full citizens was declared unthinkable and considered too dangerous to discuss; six ordinary women embraced it as common sense. By weaving their radical local action into the broader narrative of antebellum intellectual life and political identity; Ginzberg brings new light to the story of woman's rights and of some women's sense of themselves as full members of the nation.
#382898 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2001-09-17 2001-09-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.48 x 6.00l; 1.90 #File Name: 0807849804592 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Very well doneBy Uncle DonI have been interested in Gen. Chamberlin for many years now. I have the book he wrote "The Passing of Armies". I paid attention to the coverage of his defense of Little Round Top in the TV Gettysburg. But most importantly when I was station at Ft. Monmouth; NJ I went to Gettysburg and to Little Round Top. Having been a student of our military history and the Civil War after seeing Little Round Top and knowing what went on there I feel strongly that his defense saved the Union Army. The author does a great job in telling about one of the best General Officers this country has ever had. Some folks have said that the author paid to much attention to the battle of Five Forks; I do not agree. It was here that as a General Officer Gen. Chamberlin showed the commander he was. He understood his mission and was not going to let anything stop him from accomplishing it. The result was that for practical purposed Lee's army was split to the point he could not assemble it all in one place. I have read other books on Gen. Chamberlin but none of them compare with this one. The fact the author continued the story after the end of the war was a great idea. To many times when we read books like this they stop when the action is over; not here. This is the first time I learned what happened to him after the war. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know about the Civil War. May Gen. Chamberlin rest in a well earned peace.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Combined bio and military historyBy Gregory W.One of the most enjoyable reads I have had I quite some time. Most people would likely enjoy at least a portion of the book. The story of a great man from the simple parts of life to many of the details of his military service. There are stories of childhood and romance of the 1800s and his early life to details of Civil War military conflicts. The later chapters then read much like a biography of many who have acc ok polished so much their lives are worth writing about. My favorite parts were the great writings and speeches of Chamberlain himself.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Best for a civil war enthusiastBy FoggyviewExcellent writing; great research; terrific topic; and it bored me to the point where I could not finish it. I think it was information overload and I could not keep track of all the names; locations; and generals.It may be that a civil war enthusiast would appreciate this book more than someone like me who has a more casual interest.
