Customer Reviews

Women's Letters: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present

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Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler, the powerhouse couple behind LETTERS OF THE CENTURY --- and now WOMEN'S LETTERS --- make history both accessible and captivating, presenting it in the format of correspondences written throughout our nation's history. With this epistolary approach Grunwald and Adler illuminate the events that molded and defined America.

LETTERS OF THE CENTURY looked at the writings of men and women over the course of a century. With WOMEN'S LETTERS, the editors have narrowed their focus and broadened their time frame, but by no means have they restricted their scope. Indeed, by presenting letters written solely by women --- to their sisters, their husbands, their friends and lovers --- Grunwald and Adler have only heightened the impact of their detailed and meticulous presentation of history.

In school we are forced to memorize the "dates, monarchs, generals and macro issues" and thus we associate history with a kind of teeth-grinding tedium and exam-related anxiety. History can be overwhelming and alienating --- much of what we learn about the rise and fall of civilizations, the birth and growth of nations, felt utterly separate and un-relatable when we were in school, and that feeling of being divided from our nation's past has endured. By drawing us into the minutiae, WOMEN'S LETTERS renders the "macro issues" both lucid and graspable. There is something deeply revelatory and ultimately reassuring about this conception of a past.

Beginning in 1775 and ending in 2005, the letters collected in this volume deal with themes that are vastly different and yet transcendent. They are snapshots of the lives of women from a wide range of educations, experiences, racial and economic backgrounds. From Martha Washington to Anais Nin to Betty Freidan, these letters reveal much about women we have heard about, women we thought we knew, and women whose voices resound and defy their obscurity. Every one of these women has something to say. The letters bring them together, revealing the themes that run parallel in their lives.

Loneliness, anger, loss, birth, death --- all these concepts pulse through the 760 pages of WOMEN'S LETTERS, and they are still deeply relevant today. This rich stew of transcendent ideas and inevitable truths in the lives of women serves both to link the singular letter writers revealed within these pages and establish a common ground with each individual reader. We all will find something that resonates deep within us in these pages --- some sentiment that sings.

Those who loathe the study of history with facts and data will appreciate this work. It reminded this reviewer of a line from the historical fiction novelist Jacqueline Winspear, who said, "I have always been far more interested in social history, the details of how ordinary people lived, how they were impacted by the events of the time...I could easily sleep through a whole lesson on the parliamentary acts of Elizabeth I, but tell me that her teeth were completely black and I'm listening." It is the minute details, the very specific individual experience, that these letters portray. The resulting work is authoritative, but not textbook.

WOMEN'S LETTERS is not a "women's book" and it should not be thought of as such. Indeed it is crucially important for men to dip into these pages as well and glimpse lives that unfolded in drawing rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and behind closed doors. Men and women equally will find inspiration in the words of these women that for so long went unheard.

The elocution and attention to detail, form and grace that typify so many of the letters written before the mid-20th century bespeak the very lack of those qualities in contemporary correspondence. As technical advancements propel us to a kind of hyper-efficiency, we have lost the need to devote time and craft to communication. The actual implications of the phrase "letter-writing is a lost art" can only be fully examined when we are aware just how artful the creation of a letter can be. WOMEN'S LETTERS demands that its readers question just what we have given up in exchange for that efficiency.

And when readers do flip through the last 80 or so pages, dated 1980-2005, they will be jarred not just by the dominating artlessness that has overtaken the form, but by the relative loss of humanity these letters depict. Where the letters of the preceding pages established humanity on a grand scale, with a few notable exceptions, these last pages of letters searingly depict a growing trend of inhumanity. From the plaintive words of Nicole Brown Simpson writing to her husband to the rage-fueled preaching of an abortion clinic bomber writing to the Pensacola News, there is something deeply unsettling about such a stark display of human frailty. These last few pages beg the question: What have we, as a nation and as a people, lost as we have stopped writing?

The question may sound dire, but the conversation that can follow it is a vital one. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-gendered, all-encompassing conversation that should be had among parents and children, among friends and across the dinner table. Grunwald and Adler have tapped a well-spring of potential dialogue and their collection is a mighty conversation-starter. And despite its physical and intellectual weight, it is a breathtakingly easy read. A book that is meant to be dipped into, at random perhaps, savored for an hour, an afternoon, alone or read aloud --- it demands no rigorous examination; the potency of the words on the page are not dependent on the fashion by which they are read.

WOMEN'S LETTERS does more than just reveal the blackened teeth; it looks deep under the skin and into the minds of the women who quietly --- and not so quietly --- shaped and were shaped by our nation's history.

--- Reviewed by Jennifer Krieger

Reading someone else's old letters can evoke universal feelings and can even bring to life a time before we were born. This is what happens in "Women's Letters: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present," edited by Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler. In more than 800 pages, the editors compiled women's letters from 1775 up to and including the current war in Iraq. The letter writers include slave owners, slaves, politicians, movie stars, moms and daughters. There are love letters, a "last will and testament" and eyewitness accounts of historic events. For me, the most unusual was from Marilyn Monroe, who taped a handwritten note to her stomach before having her appendix out, begging her doctor to "cut as little as possible." I also got caught up in the World War II letters from a Japanese American wife housed in a separate internment camp from her husband. This is a fascinating way to see America through its cultural and political changes and observe the changing roles of women.

Women's Letters: America...Present is a wonderful look into America's history told beautifully by scores of women. This should be required reading for every high-schooler across the country. The depth and breadth of the writers and their experiences is an unforgettable journey. I adored the letters from the young girls; was heartbroken and elated along with each author; and brilliantly reminded of our dedication to family, country, God, and the struggle to find our own voices. I read a letter or two each night, and often read long into the night, unable to put down the book. There are a few long letters that drone on, and eventually I skipped past them altogether. Some of the letters are difficult to read, as the letters have been printed as they were written, so there are some with little to no punctuation, stunted grammer and misspellings. I did, however, appreciate the editor's committment to maintaining the integrity of the writing, and that committment gave it's own voice to the letters, in turn strengthening the author's voice. This book rates 5 out of 5 stars - I'd give it more if I could!

My daughter's American history class in college was presented only through letters written about the era, and I was envious of her reading "live" history at her age. Now I have it, and from the unique perspective of women. The book is approprate for both genders, but girls and women of all ages in particular will be moved in ways textbooks can never do. The editors have done a great job in the variety of walks of life and experiences. It inspires me to write my own perspective for my grandchilren.

I bought this book for my mother, who enjoys it very much. Its easy reading, but powerful, insightful, and uplifting. Highly recommended.

I bought this book for my mom. She had brain surgery 3 1/2 years ago. Before her accident she was an avid reader, and loved American History. I bought this book for her, per the letters were short enough that she wouldn't forget what was happening in the "story", and I knew if she would be more likey to try reading more. Wow! She loves it, and her friends even read it when they come over. My mom is reading again, it might take her a half hour to read a page, but that does not matter. This book has change my mom, Priceless...

An amazing book. These letters provide a true snapshot of life from our country's beginning to 9-11. Even better these snapshots are from a woman's point of view, something that has often been overlooked. It's obvious that we American women come from hardy stock. This would be an interesting book for most men to read as well!!!

This is a fascinating way to reread the history of Amerca through women's eyes.Though the letters are written by different women from different
classes, one can readily continue the time frame. The story of the young girl who is sent on a mission to George Washington;the story of the treacherous trip via sailing vessel are both compelling. Highly recommended to women to read about the bravery of our foremothers.

I was very happy to receive this book. I wanted to give it for a Mother's Day gift. It was just the right thing because it is very educational. She loved it.
JQ

I purchased this book for my mother-in-law for Christmas and she has said that it is a wonderful book. I had trouble finding the book until I went on Amazon.com.