Customer Reviews

Sex and Citizenship in Antebellum America (Gender and American Culture)

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Nancy Isenberg has written one of the finest examples of political history to emerge from the field of women's history. Her work underscores the importance of the women's rights movement and situates that movement within the political culture of the antebellum period. The book is a little weak on narrative but its sophistication and ability to contextualize the women's rights movement within the broader political culture of the period makes this book a worthwhile read for all historians interested in pre-civil war America.

Isenberg studies women's political and social activism in antebellum America. In her study she demonstrates how through various mediums such as public speaking, conventions, publications and fashion women expressed a unique feminist perspective. Feminists of antebellum America more importantly, attempt and perhaps succeed to an extent to define their own gender roles and defy those ascribed them by men. With a keen understanding of rights and representation feminists challenge the normative assumptions of citizenship.

If you are not already well-steeped in the vocabulary and concepts of feminist theory and American history, don't bother picking up this book -- you won't understand a word of it.