Brides of the Multitude - Prostitution in the Old West

by Jeremy Agnew

Brides of the Multitude is a fascinating, historically accurate account of why prostitution ran rampant in the Old West during the prudish Victorian period of the United States. It explains who these fallen women were and touches on their reasons for becoming prostitutes. It details the types of establishments of prostitution that existed, the conditions under which the women worked, and the many problems associated with sexually transmitted diseases and contraception. Weaving facts with colorful anecdotes, author Jeremy Agnew presents a fascinating look at the ladies who conducted business in the infamous red light districts located throughout the frontier. Also in this book, the author debunks many of the myths associated with prostitution in the Old West. He points out the difference between rural and urban soiled doves, as well as Eastern and Western prostitutes. Agnew describes a definite social order that existed among the prostitutes. And, in frank, but not too graphic terms, he brings to light a subject that is not easy to research, but was an integral part of everyday life of the time.

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2008

Reviews

[Melissa Lenhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The things I read for research. Excellent book for that. Well written if a little redundant. You read about one boom town red light district, you've read about them all.

[Eden Hazardelirium · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prose of this book isn't the most interesting but it is straightforward and easy to understand, with lots of fun anecdotes about things that happened in the Wild West. Jeremy Agnew provides a look not just as prostitution itself but the context in which so much prostitution occurred and the effect that it had on the culture and economy.

My only complaint would be that prostitution is treated with such detachment. This is fairly typical of books about history like this, in my experience, and yet I can't help but wish that that weren't true. There are no accounts of what the prostitutes themselves thought of their business, but also, considering the lack of education for women in that era, I'm not sure how much is actually available.

Overall, if you're interested in the Old West and want to gain a different perspective on it, I would recommend this book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, but reads like somebody's graduate thesis.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading about how and why these women turned to prostitution.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical investigation of the hows and whys most women of the Victorian era and some years forward chose or wound up in this profession

[Tambra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book very interesting. I liked it.