The turbulent Tudor Age never fails to capture the imagination. But what was it truly like to be a woman during this era? The Tudor period conjures up images of queens and noblewomen in elaborate court dress; of palace intrigue and dramatic politics. But if you were a woman; it was also a time when death during childbirth was rife; when marriage was usually a legal contract; not a matter for love; and the education you could hope to receive was minimal at best. Yet the Tudor century was also dominated by powerful and dynamic women in a way that no era had been before. Historian Elizabeth Norton explores the life cycle of the Tudor woman; from childhood to old age; through the diverging examples of women such as Elizabeth Tudor; Henry VIII’s sister; Cecily Burbage; Elizabeth's wet nurse; Mary Howard; widowed but influential at court; Elizabeth Boleyn; mother of a controversial queen; and Elizabeth Barton; a peasant girl who would be lauded as a prophetess. Their stories are interwoven with studies of topics ranging from Tudor toys to contraception to witchcraft; painting a portrait of the lives of queens and serving maids; nuns and harlots; widows and chaperones. Norton brings this vibrant period to colorful life in an evocative and insightful social history. 8 pages of color illustrations
#368077 in Books 2016-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x .90 x 6.20l; .0 #File Name: 1629722278208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Audiophilethanks5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Twelve Diverse Women (and no shrinking violets among them)By Maggie KnappFrom time to time; when I'm feeling a little sorry for myself because "My life is hard" I pick up a book like FRONTIER GRIT and think "Not hardly!" My life is a cushy pile of pillows compared to Nellie Cashman; who remade her life more than once; after losing just about everything; and mushed sled dogs when she was in her 80s. Or how about Mother Jones; who stood up with the coal miners; and spoke up for downtrodden workers? Or Donaldina Cameron; who sought out and protected Chinese children (particularly girls) being trafficked as slaves? Each of the 12 essays cover high (and low) points in the lives; loves; successes and shortfalls of each woman. Each essay is followed by a short author's note; as well as Further Reading and Notes. Easy to recommend for middle schools; some high schools; or any readers fond of "daring pioneer women."About me: I'm a middle school/high school librarianHow I got this book: Sent to me by the publisher9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. well-researched; easy to readBy She Treads SoftlyFrontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women by Marianne Monson is a recommended collection featuring the story of twelve women who were pioneers.The women featured in each short chapter are:Nellie Cashman: Gold Rush “Boomerâ€; a nurse; businesswoman and gold prospector.Aunt Clara Brown: a former slave who became an accomplished and beloved community leader.Abigail Scott Duniway: Oregon Trail suffragette; "Abigail burned at these injustices. Women contributed economically; were held accountable for debts; but remained powerless to own property or manage their own incomes."MarÃa Amparo Ruiz de Burton: The first Mexican-American novelist.Luzena Stanley Wilson: Ever-resourceful; a gold-rush entrepreneur.Mother Jones: She could not be silenced; a school teacher who became a labor activist and community organizer. "For over fifty years; Mary traveled the country speaking on behalf of child workers; steelworkers; deported Mexican workers; and coal miners. She once declared to a judge; 'My address is wherever there is a fight against oppression. . . . My address is like my shoes: it travels with me.'Zitkala-Sa: “Red Birdâ€; a Sioux writer; editor; musician; teacher; and activistMary Hallock Foote: Mining town author and illustrator. Wallace Stegner was captivated by Mary’s story and his 1972 Pulitzer Prize winning novel; Angle of Repose; was based on her life.Martha Hughes Cannon: Frontier doctor; state senator; polygamist; refugee; and women’s rights activist.Donaldina Cameron: The Most Loved and Feared Woman in Chinatown. Donaldina Cameron rescued thousands of girls from sex trafficking rings; and then raised them as her own daughters.Charley Parkhurst: Most celebrated stagecoach driver in the west; she lived her life as a man.Makaopiopio: The Spirit of Aloha; one of the first Hawaiian immigrants to settle the colony of Iosepa.Frontier Grit is a well-researched; easy to read summation of the lives of these 12 women. Each chapter opens with a picture of the woman and a quote. As is my wont for documentation; I appreciate that Monson includes at the end of each chapter a list of books to consult for more information and that she has footnoted all of her resources. This will be a good resource for students because it will be easy to understand and is concise.That said; it does have a few drawbacks. I truly wish Monson had restrained herself from adding her own personal thoughts and commentary at the end of each chapter. Surely each woman's life should speak for itself and different readers will likely have diverse lessons they need to learn from each woman's life. I am also beginning to detest the word "grit" which is currently being overused in a wide variety of venues. Enough with your grit everyone. Please look for a more deliberate and appropriate word to reflect your presentation; theories; and opinions.Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
