Women Writing About American History

So, my first list of recommended books for reading during Women's History Month focuses on history. How original, eh? My first two recommendations mostly concern the pre-revolutionary history of the USA and how it affects us so many decades later.

The Specter of Salem by Gretchen Adams

1. The Specter of Salem: Remembering the Witch Trials in Nineteenth-Century America [2008] by Gretchen A. Adams [Available on Kindle and in other formats on Amazon] 

Dr. Adams weaves a fascinating chronicle of Salem's effect on subsequent events, American politics, and the events of a nation. Salem is cited in myriad ways with various results in the political history of the country, not always accurately nor fairly. Nonetheless, the evens of 1692 and following continue to intertwine with later events and movements.

Her writing is superb, the e-book (which I read on Kindle) was mostly well-presented, the whole reading experience is both fascinating and fraught with new ideas and meaning.

This book is good reading for anyone interested in the early history o the US, the use of metaphor in political suasion, and in the continuing history of the country and how it is shaped by the past.

I am no historian, of course, but I really enjoyed reading this book.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell

2. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States [2015] by Sarah Vowell [Available on Kindle and other formats on Amazon and elsewhere, including Audible].

Sarah Vowell provides a complete, detailed, and sometimes hilarious depiction of the life of General Lafayette, the French aristocrat who had a passion for American independence from an early age. The author's style is detailed and humorous with a thick layer of sarcasm and the occasionally strange digression to talk about her experiences while doing the research.

I enjoyed this book but did not particularly like the audiobook narration. I find the author's voice too deadpan and annoying. I do know others who have loved the audiobook, though. I will definitely read more of her books, but probably will not listen to audio versions.  The book about assassination looks interesting...

Go Forth and Read

So, go forth and read some women's history books, or books by women historians, or just books by women, period!