This enthralling work of scholarship strips away those abstractions to reveal the hidden -- and not always stoic -- face of the "goodwives&quo...
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reviews
Sep 07, 2011
Cassie
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I just started...no, really, I've only read the introduction, so really I have no business writing a review, but here are my expectations, lets see if they're quenched.
I am interested in learning about the role of women in actuality, something that seems nearly impossible to do when history from that time and place is so edited. But there were certainly strong intelligent women around...they were around all over the world for centuries before and right up to the present, I can't imagine t More...
I am interested in learning about the role of women in actuality, something that seems nearly impossible to do when history from that time and place is so edited. But there were certainly strong intelligent women around...they were around all over the world for centuries before and right up to the present, I can't imagine t More...
Nov 19, 2009
Bridget
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Another book I've had for a while and just got around to reading. I had seen a documentary-type program on PBS a couple of years ago on The Midwife's Tale, another book by Ulrich, and when I saw this one, picked it up because I find the topic and the time period to be interesting overall.
Though this is a work of non-fiction, and I guess could be classified as "academic," the writing is very straightforward and approachable. The author takes different aspects of women's li More...
Though this is a work of non-fiction, and I guess could be classified as "academic," the writing is very straightforward and approachable. The author takes different aspects of women's li More...
Aug 06, 2011
While I have enjoyed all of Ulrich's books, _Good Wives_ make a distinct impression on me. I really appreciated the *context* of the women's lives, as well as the coverage of episodes in history that are so often skimmed right over as if they had no importance. (In school, Columbus discovered America and then there was the Revolution in 1776, but nothing in between!) I read Good Wives at a time when I was practically inhaling materials on archaeology from the same period, and it fit in very well
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Feb 11, 2012
Cari
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Good Wives started out slow and dry, and while reading the first few pages, I remember thinking, "I'm not going to finish this." Then something happened, and I'm not sure if the pace picked up or Ulrich moved on to richer history or if some other variable came into play, but I was hooked shortly thereafter. I didn't even notice how involved I was until more than halfway through the book, at which point I was still trying to read as I clocked back in after my lunch break. It takes he
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Jan 26, 2011
Amy
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What an excellent history book this is. Ulrich writes that women used foamy yeast, from the beer they brewed themselves, to make their daily bread; in MA in 1687 the punishment for adultery was death; and good women were consorts and partners to their husbands - not angels of domesticity. The driest varieties of primary source documentation (i.e. accounts, legal briefs, etc) sing through Ulrich's clever interpretations and writing style. Aside: Why don't we call ourselves Goody _____ anymore?
Oct 29, 2010
Michael
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Ulrich expands the female sphere in 17th and 18th-century New England by showing that Puritan women were not restricted to one very limiting domestic role. Instead, Ulrich describes the multiple roles played by women including those of housewife and deputy husband (and all the manufacturing and trade responsibilities they entailed) as well as that of consort, neighbor, mistress, etc.... Each of the roles contained both domestic and communal aspects and responsibilities, thereby giving us a portr
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Nov 24, 2010
It's slow going with this book...yet interesting. It's full-blown history, no fluff, so I have to take it in bits (and read a few princess novels in between). That said, Ulrich has a gift for taking a small, seemingly useless bit if information and recreating the story of women's lives, at a time when women weren't able to write their own stories down. Really lovely.
Aug 07, 2011
Joe
rated it: 
Good Wives has been exhaustively researched and the author does the best she can with the limited historical documents that are to be found. Unfortunately it is not a very interesting subjet to me. I read it for a history class. I think only people who are interested in an indepth historical study will be interested in this book.
Mar 12, 2009
Emmie
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This book is highly readable and evokes vivid images of ordinary women in New England. It suffers a little from being too anecdotal, undermining a little the believability of her analysis but overall it is a rollicking roller coaster of a novel, filled with bawdy bandits and sizzling gypsies.
Sep 16, 2009
Korri
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In this book Ulrich explores the formulaic words 'good wife' found on many tombstones of the era to discover what that role entailed and how it fit into to colonial gender expectations. She's a master of the micro-history, bringing dry details from probate records and transcriptions of trials to life, which makes this a lovely read from the comfort of the twenty-first century.
Sep 21, 2010
Etta
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I found this study of role definition of early women in New England extremely interesting. Added to my attention was the mention of some of my father's ancestors.
May 17, 2011
Nicole
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Meticulous research, and an interesting topic (puritan wives) fairly covered. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich is one of my favorite historians.
Apr 26, 2010
Booksrock
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Brilliantly done history of wives in early eastern United States of america. Ulrich writes so well that her history is a joy to read.
Feb 08, 2010
Rachel
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I think this is Laurel Ulrich's driest book, however, there were some fascinating parts. I greatly enjoyed the section on reproduction and huswifery. The progress of women through this time period and the impact they had is significant; like Ulrich states at the end of the book, through the study of women's history during this time period we can greater understand the time period itself. Women may not have been at the forefront, but their impact was definitely felt. Definitely another fascin
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Sep 25, 2011
Regina
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Excellent scholar, interesting theories. Not something you can read in one sitting, and not something to race through.
Nov 27, 2009
Quilter Girl
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A wonderfully written account of women's lives in 17th century New England.
Apr 21, 2010
Mary
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Very interesting and accessible. Ulrich doesn't get too theoretical and doesn't seem to have an "-ism" driving her work. I don't recall shaking my head much at interpretive stretches. I feel like I have a better understanding of what life was like for my ancestors 300 years ago.
Oct 29, 2011
Aimee
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This lady knows her stuff. Incredible. It's boring sprinkled with tidbits of fascinating information. I made myself finish because I find the subject matter interesting living in New England. If anyone wants my copy I'd be glad to pass it on! P.S. I'm glad I live in the 21st century :)
Jul 18, 2008
Shannon
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Laurel Thatcher Ulrich has a fantastic ability to take bits and pieces of historic evidence and craft non-fiction works that are fleshed-out and fascinating. Puritan women did not leave abundant evidence (unlike their male counterparts), but Ulrich creates magic with what's there. Read this to have your ideas on Puritan women completely changed.
Oct 18, 2007
Rebekah
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I just learned there are books of hers I haven't read yet. I'm heading to the bookstore tomorrow. She keeps popping up at different points in my life, and reading her histories has a ways of grounding me and making me feel a part of a greater continuum.
Jun 05, 2008
Karen
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Fascinating subject matter... Unfortunately, there is a paucity of letters, journals, etc from this time period, so the text is based on court documents and wills, etc., which makes the book a little dry.
Feb 16, 2008
Sue
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I love this book,it is one of my favorite women's history texts. The book is well written and provides engaging discussion of the different social/cultural roles of women in the colonial era.
Mar 03, 2008
Melody
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I bailed out of this about 1/2 way through. It was too much like a dissertation and not enough like a book for me.
Feb 22, 2008
Alyson
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A really good look into colonial New England. I love reading about the lives of ordinary women.
Jul 12, 2008
Heather
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Finally the women of colonial America are humanised beyond starched collars and scowls.
Sep 28, 2010
Stacye
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As with Ulrich's book, I recommend this to friends interested in 18th c America or women's history. Very interesting and well written. (For you Hathorns on my list there are two brief mentions of family.)
