Harriet

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

This thorough, well-documented biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of the controversial and extremely influential Uncle Tom's Cabin, does a very good job of presenting Harriet's personal life, how it was molded by, and helped to mold the often turbulent political and social conditions of the mid-1800s. Readers should be intrigued to find out about the talented and sometimes quarreling Beecher clan; Harriet's loving but somewhat non-traditional marriage, and how she struggled to obtain and work in "a room of my own," amidst the turmoil of seven children. Besides the famous Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet also wrote Dred, another anti-slavery novel and many lesser-known stories and articles. Her meetings and friendships with well-known people of the time, like Lincoln and Lady Byron, add to this account of her interesting life and times. Black and white photos, an author's note, index and further reading section are included.