Kate Havelin

Victoria Woodhull :Fearless Feminist by Kate Havelin

Seems I never tire of reading about this amazing trailblazer. Born poor to an alcoholic con artist father and submissive mother, Victoria became the first woman to address Congress, run her own financial advisor business and a newspaper, the first woman to run for President, twice, and drive a car from England through France and back. A renowned speaker, suffragist, champion of the poor, she, along with her sister, Tennie Claflin, road a rollercoaster of fame, fortune, shame, and destitution.

This book is more for young adult readers, as many an explanation is given for common terminology. Still, the not so pristine aspects of her life are given. But even those enthrall.

A scattering of pertinent photos and sketch reproductions are included as well as source notes and a bibliography, with additional suggestions following.… (meer)

This book was both fascinating and informative. It tells all about clothing worn in the U.S. during the Civil War, by men and women, in the North and South, and of all classes--in some cases, a little too much information for comfort! (The layers women wore were just amazing--in quantity and potential for discomfort.) If you want to feel very grateful that you live now instead of then, definitely pick up this book. It is a beautifully laid out volume, and really gives a feel for what it would have been like to dress--and live--in that time period. Highly recommended for anyone doing a study of the period or who just has an interest in fashion. I will definitely be looking into more of the books in this series, Dressing a Nation.… (meer)