Customer Reviews

Frontier Freedom Fighter: The Story of Clarina Nichols

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This audiobook brings to light a contemporary of Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Nation. Clarina Nichols (1810 - 1885) wasn't content with a woman's lot in her era. She couldn't vote, speak in public, have a say in the custody of her children, or own property. Other evils of the day such as slavery and the effects of alcoholism on families also gave her concern.
In this CD, Eickhoff brings this unknown heroine to life. Clarina lived in Vermont and came to Kansas during the struggle for it to become a free state before the Civil War. Having grown up in Kansas, I found that part particularly interesting. The narrator, who also wrote the book, presents Clarina's life in pleasant tone and some sections are enhanced with pioneer tunes and voices raised in a spiritual.
The events of her life fall into sections which would be easy to use in a classroom setting. Clarina's experiences give a personal feel to such topics as the abolition of slavery, Kansas frontier days, the temperance movement, women's roles in the 1800s, and women's suffrage.
The phrasing is lively and the description of early Kansas was almost poetic.
The book, that the CD is based on, is listed as a young adult title, but I expect that few teens would voluntarily select this from a bookshelf. Hearing a selection from the CD might intrigue them into reading the book. A more likely audience is anyone interested in Vermont or Kansas history or women's studies. I could see a book group having a lively discussion after hearing this CD or reading the book.