A Woman's Place: Yesterday's Women in Rural America

by Norton Juster

An evocative portrait of women in rural America during the era after the Civil War, documenting three decades of social change and a period of history often neglected.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Womens

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Norton Juster was an American academic, architect, and writer. He was best known as an author of children's books, notably for The Phantom Tollbooth and The Dot and the Line.

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically a collection of articles and letters from women's magazines and portions of 'scientific works' of the late 19th century dealing with "women's issues." In the margins are smaller items e.g. recipes and 'helpful' hints. Several of the articles have obviously been written by men and the letters are, if not written by men, seem to be from women who have bought into the patriarchal culture of the times.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post-civil war to 20th century. Traditional role of women in rural America : wife, mother, homemaker, etc.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Juster tells the story of women in rural America after the Civil War, which contained three decades of painful, unfortunate social change.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact the guy who wrote The Phantom Tollbooth also wrote this is so out of left field. Some parts were a little repetitive but overall I found this really interesting.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you pick up and read some, put it down and go back. Too tedious to read straight through. I am glad I did not have to be a pioneer woman, the West would not have been won. Presents all different points of view on the role of women in rural America.