Toward an Intellectual History of Women

April 15, 1997
In this collection of essays, premier women's historian Kerber (history, Univ. of Iowa) reiterates and clarifies some of her past work. The ten essays here are ordered chronologically, from 1973 to 1993, by date of original preparation or publication. The first part, "Finding Women in the Revolutionary Era," analyzes Colonial women's views on education, war, family, and politics. Kerber includes early essays on the "Republican Mother" and women's views of citizenship. Part 2, "Toward an Intellectual History of Women," examines the use of the metaphor of separate spheres and the language of individualism as historical constructs. Part 3, "Finding Gender in American Culture," returns to themes of gender and citizenship. The work is a convenient collection reflecting the thoughts of a superb scholar. It will be appreciated by feminist theorists and students of U.S. and women's history. Appropriate for academic libraries.--Linda V. Carlisle, Southern Illinois Univ., Edwardsville