Nellie Bly:: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist

This is a fine biography of an amazing woman. I'm astonished by the negative reviews. It's a big book, but I couldn't put it down and finished it in a few days. It's well-documented and exciting. Whether it's delineating the well-known exploits of Bly such as her feigning insanity to get into the mental institution or her speedy trip around the world, or whether it's showing the less known aspects of her life such as her business career and legal problems, the force of the woman's character and personality (and her joy in living) comes through in documented and cumulative detail. There is no need for Nellie Bly the "legend". The facts of the matter are clear enough. Nellie was one hell of a woman.

This is the only scholarly biography of Nellie Bly available. It is carefully researched and documented, and presents a nuanced and composite picture of Nellie Bly. It is not a splashy story, which is probably why the other reviewers found it dull and dry. For research purposes, however, that's a very good thing. An excellent bibliography points interested researchers to secondary and primary sources.

Nellie Bly (born Elizabeth Jane Cochran) was a very interesting lady. I chose her for my report, and this was the most helpful book. I didn't think I'd want to read the whole book through, but I did since Bly's life was so exciting!