Leo T. reviewed on 9/19/2019 + 1775 more book reviews

Ms. Laurance was interested in the pioneer days of California and struck by how women were treated as competent persons, not only as an adjunct to their husbands. In this book aimed at a popular audience (no footnotes) she honors several 'troublemakers.' There are chapters on Ms. Catt, Ms. Coolbrith, Nellie Bly, and less well remembered women: two Oregonians (an early settler and the first female M.D.), Maria Mitchell, Nellie Cashman, and Pearl Hart. A favorite of Ms. Laurence is Sojourner Truth. My copy is from the third printing and perhaps sales will be boosted because of the prescient chapter on the Three Charlies--'women masquerading as men--given 2019 memes.
I myself read the chapter on Ann Eliza W. Young who left her LDS husband, Brigham Young himself, in 1873 and supported herself on the lecture circuit. (Readers will recall there was considerable public interest in Mormon life). She had the effontery to sue him for divorce and the case dragged on for years as the LDS brought pressure to bear whereever possible. She was not murdered by Young's agents but did not live happily ever after. A sad biography of a woman pushed to boldly defend herself.
A few 'additional sources' are offered, short bibliographies at the end of each chapter, plates, but no index so my evaluation is one star lower than it would have been.

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