Women in the American West

(Hardback)

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Description

This engaging narrative synthesizes more than 20 years of historical writing on the history of women in the American West. Twenty years after many Western historians first turned their attention toward women, Women in the American West synthesizes the development of women's history in the region, introduces readers to current thinking on the real experiences of Western women, and explores their influence on the course of expansion and development since the 19th century. Women in the American West offers vivid portrayals of women as pioneers, prostitutes, teachers, disguised soldiers, nurses, entrepreneurs, immigrants, and ordinary citizens caught up in extraordinary times. Organized chronologically, each chapter emphasizes important themes central to gender and women's history, including women's mobility, women at home, wage labor, immigration, marriage, political participation, and involvement in wars at home and abroad. With this revealing volume, readers will see that women had a far more profound effect on the course of history in the Western United States than is commonly thought.

Reviews

Highly recommended for both academic and community library reference collections. * Midwest Book Review *
[O]ne could read the book from cover to cover, which is a lively and informative experience, or use the index to go directly to a subject . . . Even taking into consideration its sophistication, however, this book is primarily targeted at undergraduates. It is highly recommended for history and women's studies collections. * Feminist Collections *
The work is suggested for academic libraries of all levels, especially those supporting a women's or gender history/studies program. * Reference & User Services Quarterly *
This book will be useful in high school and undergraduate libraries looking for materials on the history and cultural influences of women on American culture and history. It is a unique look at the history of women in U.S. history and proves to be both insightful and unique. * ARBA *
This essential addition to the high school collections is written by a scholar in the fielda western women herself--for upper level studentsA valuable purchase for the high school, especially for AP US History. * Pennsylvania School Librarians Association *

Author Bio

Laura E. Woodworth-Ney, PhD, is associate professor of history and chair of the Department of History at Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, and the editor of Idaho Yesterdays, the state history journal of Idaho.