Kemp P. Battle (1831–1919)

I loved this book - it's one of my "keepers." It's basically a grouping of short stories that run the gamut from Native American women, African American women, American women (from western settlers in covered wagons to Civil War heroines to depression-era and Rosie the Riveters, suffragists, etc.) stories about women you've never heard of and stories/characters that you know (Sakagawea, Harriet Tubman, etc.), but the legends bear repeating. Some are just one or two pages long - other are a chapter. Really, really interesting stuff without being boring - a lot of "forgotten" tales that are still relavant today.

I highly recommend it as a pleasure read, but may also be a great resource for someone in school who has to do a paper on an American female figure but is looking for something a little different than the "norm" (Laura Ingalls Wilder, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, etc.) Lots of interesting personalities to learn about!… (mer)