From School Library Journal
Gr 6-9-An account of the suffragist's life from her childhood to her death in 1906. Growing up in a large Quaker family during the early part of the 1800s, Anthony assisted her mother with the hard work of running a household. Fortunately, her father strongly believed in equality for women, even starting his own school for his children when the district teacher refused to teach long division to girls. Advanced education and family support enabled Anthony to later lead in the social battles of the day; she tirelessly campaigned for temperance and equal rights for African Americans and women, faced down mobs, and charmed reporters who had wanted to dislike her. Bohannon weaves interesting social detail into her account with mention of bankruptcy, religion, household chores, wages, travel conditions, and convention etiquette. Naturally, there are accounts of collaboration with the important people of the time, from Frederick Douglass to Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Mrs. Horace Greeley (much to Mr. Greeley's chagrin). The author suggests that intelligence and energy persistently applied really do mean "failure is impossible." Black-and-white photographs (primarily portraits) and reproductions are scattered throughout. Readers will find even more detail and illustrations in Barbara Weisberg's Susan B. Anthony (Chelsea, 1988).
Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
