Women and Power in American History: A Reader, Volume I to 1880

Sklar has put together a wonderful collection of essays that explore women in history. This is not a book that belongs to the "Great Men Of HIstory" school of thought. In this book and it's predecessor (volume 1) every aspect of women's lives in American history are explored. Skalr is definetly an expert in women's history and has put together all the best writers on the subject. The information is new and reads easily. This is not a repeat of simple things that everyone alreday knows. The authors write about the actions of working class women and freed slaves as well as the leaders of various movements. This book is great on its own but definetely is better with its compantion book. It is important to pay close attention to the chapter on Irish working women and the chapter on housewives. These are aspects that affect almost everyone's family history. This book is fabulous and helps people understand women's contribution to history as well as the women in their own families.