A Dirty Year

April 1, 2020
During the Gilded Age, New York City was teeming with upheaval as Victorian morals collided against progressive ideals. Shocking stories of murder, adultery, and political unrest splashed across front-page news. Greer unveils a snapshot of 1872, an exceptionally salacious year, focusing on four stories that dominated newspapers: a love triangle involving prominent businessmen Jim Fisk and Ned Stokes, which erupted into fatal violence; the divisive presidential campaign of Victoria Woodhull, a suffragette and free love advocate; Anthony Comstock's ardent battle against obscenity and smut-dealers; and the thriving business of illegal abortion, resulting in the arrests of multiple doctors. As the year progressed, these four stories became surprisingly intertwined with a well-known cast of characters making appearances: famous suffragettes Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton; business tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt; and renowned preacher Henry Ward Beecher. Greer gracefully weaves between each story, carefully parsing out details and elucidating the core issues which still resonate today. His solid research and outstanding storytelling skills create an enjoyable read. This title is recommended for any U.S. history buff.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)