Hannah's Daughters: Six Generations of an American family, 1876-1976

by Dorothy Gallagher, Robert Coles (Introduction)

Crown,1982. First Edition. Hard Cover.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

343 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a multi-generational memoir following six generations of women starting in the 1870s. Hannah (not her real name it turns out; all names are psydeuosyms at one daughter's request) was 98 when she told her story in 1974. Her daughter and grandaughers stories are also told, with each women getting a section in the book. (The one exception is the sixth generation, Susan, as she was an infant). There are a generous amount of family photographs through out.

The women share common themes and challenges but also seemed doomed to repeating each others mistakes and regrets. Yet I found myself rooting for them, if you will, because the stories are compelling. If you like social history or memoirs, you would enjoy this title.

[Michael Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a seemingly simple book, but one that captures a unique opportunity. The author found a family with five living generations of women who could be interviewed for this book. I found myself rooting for all of them, hoping that each woman would live free of the challenges of her foremothers. For me, it was a powerful reminder that, for most of us, where we come from means something, for better, for worse, and whether we like it not.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. How slowly people learn. How driven by biology. Very eye opening. Well done, Dorothy!

[Heidi Bakk-Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting oral history of working class women in one family living mostly in Washington state.