Where are the women? In traditional historical and scholarly accounts of the making and fighting of wars; women are often nowhere to be seen. With few exceptions; war stories are told as if men were the only ones who plan; fight; are injured by; and negotiate ends to wars. As the pages of this book tell; though; those accounts are far from complete. Women can be found at every turn in the (gendered) phenomena of war. Women have participated in the making; fighting; and concluding of wars throughout history; and their participation is only increasing at the turn of the 21st century. Women experience war in multiple ways: as soldiers; as fighters; as civilians; as caregivers; as sex workers; as sexual slaves; refugees and internally displaced persons; as anti-war activists; as community peace-builders; and more. This book at once provides a glimpse into where women are in war; and gives readers the tools to understood women’s (told and untold) war experiences in the greater context of the gendered nature of global social and political life.
#155759 in Books 2002-01-01 2002-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.20 x 6.12l; 1.09 #File Name: 0743431723416 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Well Presented!By Reynard AllisonI found this to be a literary masterpiece as well as a riveting depiction of what life was like for almost all middle-aged black women in such a dark moment within the body politic of America. This book spoke to the true character of Madam Walker and her life's work which was in many ways selfless; it appears that she lived her life in an attempt at always trying to make life better for those around her.The author A'Lelia Bundles has taken great care and consideration in translating in vibrant detail; the events of Madam Walker's trials and triumphs and her single-minded drive to accomplish what could have been considered as unthinkable at the turn of the century. Anyone who enjoys reading biography will also appreciate the extensive research that has been ascribed to this work; the noticeable attention to detail that has been applied to support; substantiate and sustain the historical record of events is second to none.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive ReadBy L. S. WorshamI thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having never read anything else about Madam Walker; it dispelled many of the popular myths about her life that I had always heard (her products promoted white standards of beauty; etc.) I agree that it is heavy on detail and thus may be thought to be a bit 'slow'. However; the author frequently states that there are few sources to verify information about Madam's life (she was not the typical turn-of-the-century CEO with personal secretaries documenting her every move) and it seems the author was trying to piece together much of her insights based upon context and circumstances; which are thoroughly researched and detailed. Left me wanting to know more about the race leaders of the period; not bored.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Inspiring life of a woman who overcame her gender; her race; and her lack of formal education in the early 1900sBy Diane L. LybbertIncredible true story of Madam C.J. Walker; the first black female entrepreneur in US history to build a national business and become a millionaire. Her parents were freed slaves working as sharecroppers in 1876 when she was born. Self-educated and highly ambitious; she built an empire in the cosmetic business; developing products to heal unhealthy scalps and promote hair growth in black women. She trained other black women to sell the products and open salons; lifting an entire generation of poor uneducated black women from lifelong toil as washerwomen; sharecroppers; or domestic servants into successful independent businesswomen. The book is written by Madam Walker's great-great granddaughter; using photos; letters; and other personal documents; in addition to magazine and newspaper accounts of her extraordinary life. Once established as a successful businesswoman; she used her influence to champion civil rights; overturn Jim Crowe laws; and abolish the hateful practice of lynching. This is an inspiring story of what one woman accomplished in the early 1900s; overcoming her gender; her race; and her lack of education.
