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HomeShop at BookSurgeCookingSpecific IngredientsCarrie Chapman Catt: A Life of Leadership |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 3 customer reviews )
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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Valuable Book for Young Readers Oct 03, 2006
By Freethinker
As a young student, I learned that American women did not initially have
the right to vote, but gained it only in 1920, through the Nineteenth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As an adult feminist, I learned
much more about the activists and their long struggle, which is well
documented.
In _Carrie Chapman Catt_, N. Levin presents this vital history to young
readers, an oft-overlooked audience for this topic. His book describes,
in simple yet engaging prose, the political life of Carrie Chapman Catt,
one of the foremost architects of women's suffrage.
Young readers will absorb important lessons about socio-political
process as they learn that the movement for women's suffrage was not a
short straight path to a foregone conclusion, but a protracted battle
with defeats, compromises, internal strife, personal sacrifice, and
growing pains. As Chapman herself noted, "We who have come down from
the last generation are reformers; but reformers are poor politicians."
Tactical and strategic disputes included whether to mount state or
federal campaigns, what stance to take on World War One, and whether to
join forces with more radical activists such as Alice Paul. Many young
readers also might be unaware of the simultaneous suffrage movements
abroad, with which American suffragists forged alliances.
Readers also will learn about a woman who persisted, not only in the
face of political obstacles, but also personal ones such as ill health
and the death of two beloved husbands. And they might appreciate the
difficulty of waging a campaign without the ease of travel and
communication that we now take for granted. Contemporary photographs of
Chapman and others add a realistic dimension to the descriptions.
Also mentioned are the organizations, such as the League of Women Voters,
that Chapman founded to continue reform after the vote was won, by
educating and encouraging citizens in its exercise.
This book will make an excellent addition to young readers' bookshelves or classrooms.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
INSPIRING BIOGRAPHY Apr 29, 2007
By Jane W. Elioseff
This excellent biography of Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) written for young adult readers has considerable intellectual heft. Like any good story, it begins in simplicity and gradually builds on itself as Carrie matures and begins working for peace and woman suffrage.
A tireless leader in the US struggle to achieve the vote for women, Catt was also a leader internationally, known for her political wisdom, organizing skills, and phenomenal fundraising ability. In 1915, after the failure of a long, expensive campaign to convince male voters in New York to grant women the statewide vote, she raised $100,000 overnight to restart the campaign - and this was in the first years of The Great War.
Even before Congress approved what was to become the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, Catt returned to peace work and, at about the same time, founded the League of Women Voters.
Nate Levin gives us a very clear picture of how much energy, dedication, and money a successful people-based, social-political push requires. My only quibble is that only two paragraphs in his book are given to Alice Paul and the more radical suffragists who were essential to the last phase of the struggle for the vote.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Author's review Jun 30, 2006
By Nathaniel Levin
The other books for children about Catt, by Ms. Keller and Ms. Somervill, are worthwhile. My book provides a narrative of Catt's life, while also emphasizing specific political strategies she employed and obstacles she overcame.
Probably the ideal reader would be a young woman (or young man!) who plans someday to be President of the United States.
I believe a particular strength of my book is the last chapter, in which I summarize Catt's accomplishments and link her efforts to our society's present and future quest for gender parity.
Readers who wish to preview the full text of this book are invited to visit the website maintained by the Carrie Chapman Catt childhood home.
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