Johanna Neuman

I need to be honest... this book is not generally something that I would read. I tend to find that a lot of history/non-fiction type books can get a bit tedious and boring. That said, this was not the case with Gilded Suffragists. I found the detail to be incredibly fascinating. I am sure Johanna Neuman's delivery has everything to do with that.

That said, Johanna Neuman has definitely done her homework in Gilded Suffragists. The incredible amount of historical detail really places the reader back into the early twentieth century alongside these courageous - and exceedingly extravagant - women. You really learn to appreciate the commitment of these early socialites who took their celebrity and power to make lasting changes in their communities, even when faced with dismissal and ridicule. You also realize that social status was resourcefully used as a tool to drive these positive changes. From helping immigrants and the poor, improving education, and all the way to voting rights of women, these ladies brought together in their elite clubs fought against their stereotypes to make a real difference.

This title is incredibly relevant today's politics. I've heard so many people criticize that celebrities have no place in politics and social issues. Gilded Suffragists demonstrates exactly why people who have social power not only have the right to speak up but further validates our necessity for today's celebrities to use their voices. We need them. They can be louder than the rest of us. They have access to far more resources.

I can easily see Gilded Suffragists becoming part of curriculum, so we (students) may have a better - broader - understanding of the history of women's rights to vote. It is much to easy too gloss over the topic as is and subsequently take the women's right to vote for granted. To be frank, I can't recall learning much if anything about the fight for women to be able to vote. Perhaps, too, the notoriety and familiarity of these women, even if just by surname, may connect with young people today. Better yet, maybe more celebrities could be driven to find inspiration in Tiffany, Astor, Whitney, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and the many others who proved what social status can drive.

I am giving Gilded Suffragists, 4 courageous stars!

Thank you NetGalley and NYU Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

Fascinating information that I've never heard before, which bothers me. This book has inspired me to try to do a little more digging on some of the women mentioned. On a more frivolous note, love the gilded cover and the beautiful pictures. (But maybe these suffragists teach us that appearances aren't so frivolous after all?)

The book itself could have done with better/clearer organization and structure. Jumping from the 1890s to 1917 to 1909 all in one paragraph - on many separate occasions - was a bit much to process. Maybe a chronological timeline would have helped. Also, I wish the notes had been footnotes instead of all gathered in the back of the book - nobody wants to flip to the back three times every paragraph to see the sources and explanations!… (meer)