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Overview
Discover the best books, Web sites, audiovisual items, and other materials to research notable women of the United States. Learn about women from Colonial times to the present day who have made strides in many fields of endeavor including the arts, literature, politics, religion, science, and sports. Materials listed feature women from all regions of the country and from many American cultural groups. The guide concentrates on materials published or produced during the 1990s, and its final section outlines the field of women's history in terms of its historiography, theory and methodology, and its place in education.
Synopsis
Discover the best books, Web sites, audiovisual items, and other materials to research notable women of the United States. Learn about women from Colonial times to the present day who have made strides in many fields of endeavor including the arts, literature, politics, religion, science, and sports. Materials listed feature women from all regions of the country and from many American cultural groups. The guide concentrates on materials published or produced during the 1990s, and its final section outlines the field of women's history in terms of its historiography, theory and methodology, and its place in education.
KLIATT
Hardy has put together a real tour-de-force of a reference book on women's history in the United States. Her background as a librarian and teacher shows in the in-depth research and excellent organization of her material. Her fascinating introduction lays the foundation of this work, explaining the whys and wherefores of her research into women's history resources. Basically she came to see through her own studies and on a personal basis that the widely held philosophy on women in history was, "If it's not taught, it's not important." Her aim, therefore, was to pull together as many resources as possible into one accessible reference. She is specific in what the book does and does not cover and explains that these lists are not comprehensive and that not every important historical female figure could be included. A variety of items are offered, from primary source books to audiovisual materials. Each entry is coded as M, H, C, or A, denoting appropriateness for middle school, high school, college, or adult levels. A detailed subject index as well as an author/title index is offered, which makes the research process much easier. The final chapters of this book examine history, theory and education as applied toward placing women more fully into curriculums. Hardy explains that women were often missing from history because historians were men. Historically women have been considered subordinate to men. Their physiology defined them and they were forced to become the "objects of history rather than the subjects." She sets up her chapters in terms of time, sociology and experiences. For example, in chapter 3, The Province of Women, she examines books on science and technology, the arts,politics, sexuality, etc. In chapter 1, Women in United States History: An Overview, a stronger time-line is suggested with divisions from the Colonial period to the Vietnam War. All entries offer short, concise descriptions of the material. Almost all materials cited are no older than 1995. The addition of Internet sites, audiovisual materials and jackdaw sources are important and useful enhancements. Both school and public libraries should consider this outstanding reference book a must purchase. As women's history becomes more integrated into curriculums this will be an excellent research source. The hope is that Women In U.S. History will continue to be updated for future use. The recognition of women's roles in American history grows richer all the time thanks to the excellent work of researchers like Hardy. KLIATT Codes: SA*—Exceptional book, recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Libraries Unltd, 344p, index, 26cm, 00-055849, $45.00. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Sally M. Tibbetts; Audio Visual/LRC, Main West H.S., Des Plaines, IL, March 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 2)