Iron-Jawed Angels [Paperback]

Linda G. Ford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0819182060 | ISBN-13: 978-0819182067 | Publication Date: April 24, 1991

This book is an in-depth analysis of how the National Woman's Party's militancy evolved during the period of early twentieth century feminism and American suffrage as a response to the intransigence of male-centered government. Working first as aggressive political lobbyists in an era of progressive reform, the militants brought their struggle on into a period of war hysteria in which they developed an effective strategy of nonviolent civil disobedience as anti-government dissenters. Feminist militancy and readiness to resist authorities and break the law for women's rights developed gradually. Women militants, composed of a wide variety of intensely committed women, were not shy about critiquing male oppression and in turn, male authorities responded to the perceived threat of these unnatural 'iron-jawed' females. This study examines the nature of these militants, with biographical sketches, and their evolution from petitions to pickets to prison. Selected by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in the United States as an outstanding book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ford offers a dramatic account of the Woman's Party's fierce determination to exploit the war climate, its shrewd political activism, and its brilliant direction of public opinion through nonviolent direct action. The reader gets a vivid sense of whatthe jailed Woman's Party members endured in their efforts to advance women's political rights...Ford brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the suffrage movement.>>> (Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review )

Linda Ford presents a thoroughgoing analysis of not only the women who led the movement but also the suprisingly diverse membership of the Party whose comradery and persistence were most responsible for its successes.>>>> (Sally Gregory Kohlstedt Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review )

The best part of this book is Ford's vivid portrayal of the NWP's militant activism and the reactions of the public, Police, and government.>>>> (Sally Gregory Kohlstedt Journal Of American History )

Ford's book provides knowledgeable readers with illuminating information about the 168 suffrage women who choose jail rather than comply with the law that forbade their disruptive suffrage demonstrations.>>>> (Choice )

Ford's book provides knowledgeable readers with illuminating information about the 168 suffrage women who choose jail rather than comply with the law that forbade their disruptive suffrage demonstrations. (Choice )

Ford offers a dramatic account of the Woman's Party's fierce determination to exploit the war climate, its shrewd political activism, and its brilliant direction of public opinion through nonviolent direct action. The reader gets a vivid sense of what the jailed Woman's Party members endured in their efforts to advance women's political rights...Ford brings a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the suffrage movement. (Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review )

Linda Ford presents a thoroughgoing analysis of not only the women who led the movement but also the suprisingly diverse membership of the Party whose comradery and persistence were most responsible for its successes. (Sally Gregory Kohlstedt Ellen Fitzpatrick In American Historical Review )

The best part of this book is Ford's vivid portrayal of the NWP's militant activism and the reactions of the public, Police, and government. (Sally Gregory Kohlstedt Journal Of American History )

About the Author

Linda G. Ford is Assistant Professor of History at Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (April 24, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819182060
• ISBN-13: 978-0819182067
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding militant feminism, March 29, 2004

By 

M. Grotzky (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iron-Jawed Angels (Paperback)

Unlike militant feminism in England, which destroyed property, the militant movement in the United States was expressed in parades, speeches, banners, and other techniques designed to attract publicity and further the suffrage cause, according to Linda Ford. Suffrage techniques were not violent, but they attracted violence, especially during World War I. Ford provides a history of the militant movement, biographies of militant feminists, a thoughtful analysis of the techniques the militants used and a balanced look at their accomplishments This is a scholarly work and resembles the video based on it only slightly. The previous reviewer who said that it was even better because it provided many more facts was correct. The book is interesting and very readable, providing much needed insight into a part of the suffrage movement few of us have heard enough about.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Iron Jawed Angels, January 25, 2004

By 

pat cain (Lakeside, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iron-Jawed Angels (Paperback)

This book is great. It is better than the movie. It made me, as a woman, understand what all the fuss was about and how hard these woman worked to get what they wanted. I really admire these women for what they stood for and for going through all of this for all the women everywhere. Thanks ladies.

5.0 out of 5 stars Iron Jawed angles, March 8, 2011

By 

lucky linda "love amazon.com" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Iron-Jawed Angels (Paperback)

I loved this book and the Movie was AWESOME! Women every need to see the movie to really understand how men treated women in the 1900's. This book and movie will raise your awareness on the struggle of women's rights and why will still need to challenge the manpigs.