I Dwell in Possibility: Women Build a Nation, 1600 to 1920

by Donna M. Lucey

Redcoats on the attack, Sybil Ludington raced by horse forty miles across Connecticut to warn patriots during the American Revolution. During the Civil War, plantation mistress Adelicia H.F.A Cheatham outfoxed Union and Confederate soldiers alike to make a fortune cashing in her cotton crop in London. With a 40,000 dollar bounty on her head, Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom. Molly Brown refused to sink. In I Dwell in Possibility, award-winning author Donna Lucey turns our attention to the pioneering, innovative, and brave ways that women influenced the building of America before they had the right to vote.Through diaries, letters, and rare photographs and art works, this book evokes the many struggles and indispensable contributions of women who forged the nation we know today. Ranging from the outrageous -- daring young woman smoke in the Gilded Age! -- to the heartstopping -- an African-American woman jumps to her death rather than face slavery -- Lucey masterfully reveals that women's contributions to the life of America did not begin only with the right to vote, but long before even the concept of such a right became the American ideal.

Intimate, compelling, and richly illustrated, I Dwell in Possibility is a truly unique look at American history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Womens, Feminism

256 pages, Hardcover

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.