I Dwell In Possibility : Women Build a Nation

by Donna M. Lucey

"I Dwell in Possibility" sweeps across three centuries of history to present a vivid gallery of women who in ways great and small shaped America's character and ideals from the country's beginnings to the early 1900s. In this wide-ranging panorama showcasing 160 paintings, photographs, and artifacts, author Donna Lucey tells a fascinating tale of women who made the nation what it is today: Puritan Anne Bradstreet, the New World's first published poet...Indian princess Pocahontas, the most mythologized early Native American...Sybil Ludington, the female Paul Revere...Civil War belle Adelicia Franklin Acklen, who turned the tragedy of war into financial opportunity...African-American Ida Wells-Barnett, whose work set the stage for Civil Rights. Meet Civil War spies; pioneer wives who brought civilization to the Old West; crusaders from abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe to the 5,000 suffragists who squared off against the U.S Cavalry in 1913. Enter the homes these women made, from the sod houses of prairie pioneers to the glittering salons of Gilded Age grandes dames.

This is American history as it was lived, seen, and shaped by a dozen generations of intelligent, indomitable, absolutely unforgettable women.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Womens, Feminism

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why can't all history textbooks be this enticing? Lucey not only writes like a dream, she's illustrated her stories with gorgeous art and artifacts. American history has never looked this good! And in this, the age of "nevertheless, she persisted," you see the long continuum of women's struggle for rights.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring art and photography with some unexpected historical anecdotes along with many heroines of American history. Native and slave women as well as immigrants and working class females are given equal attention.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of women’s role in US history, in shaping the United States. It tells of the famous and infamously American women from the Native Americans and first Europeans to the suffragists and nurses of WWII.

I liked this book because it was interesting and informative. There was a mix of text and many images. I liked that it tried to cover women of many different backgrounds and lives. However, there were some groups of people whose stories could’ve been covered in more depth. All in all, a good book to read!

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This oversized "coffee table" style book is chock full of beautiful photos and illustrations of women and their work to create a free and equal nation. Donna Lucey's writing is brisk and interesting, and captures the passion and dedication of diverse women who defied patriarchal odds and expectations of success. Enjoyed the "national independence" theme as suggested by the Summer Reading Challenge.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT

[Jane Kuschnir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting info about native american women

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Pocahontas, kidnaped in 1613, to women's suffrage in 1920, this is an interesting history of the United States entirely from women's perspectives. It deals with, among other things, childbirth, religion and preaching, industry, revolution, slavery, education, wealth and poverty, and the struggles against child labor and for women's rights, using a plethora of original journals, letters, poetry and songs.

National Geographic has a good track record for beautifully made history books, and this is no exception. Packed with original paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, housewares, handcrafts, garments, and ephemera, it's beautiful to look at as well as enjoyable to read.

[Melana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and informative; beautiful, brutal pictures. I was reminded in the last chapter that women in this country did not get the vote until 1920. Less than 100 years ago.