Review: Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot by Winifred Conkling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is listed as a Young Adult book. I think that is a miscategorization, although I would encourage young adults to read it. I thought this was a very engaging book that is well researched. It covers the American Suffragist movement from pre-Civil War days through the final ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920.

The author concentrates on the birth of the movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Seneca Falls Convention, as well as Stanton's friendship and work with Susan B. Anthony then moves into the later era of the movement headed by Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul. This book is more than just an overview and covers key events including Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments, Anthony's arrest for voting, Catt's political relationship with President Woodrow Wilson, and Paul's demonstrations, jail time, and hunger strike. The appendices offer websites for more information, as well as a complete timeline of the movement.

This is a well-written book that should appeal to a wide range of people wanting to know more about the American suffrage movement. Not too much detail for those that know little or no information, yet hearty enough for those that need a good concise review from start to finish.

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