Ladies of Liberty
Cokie Roberts
William Morrow
ISBN: 9780060782344
Non-Fiction, History
Reviewed by John R. Clark

Cokie Roberts has written a book that succeeds on multiple levels while having the potential to bring an exciting aspect of American history to many who would otherwise remain ignorant. This is nonfiction at its best; full of facts and insights into the lives and opinions of famous as well as lesser known women for their roles in American history. It reads more like contemporary fiction and this will be the hook that catches many who would otherwise pass over it.

It is the sort of book that as a librarian, I will suggest to students looking for historical fiction and say "Let's see if your teacher will let you substitute this book instead." It deserves a place in public, academic and high school libraries and may be one I suggest later on as a suitable selection for our book club. It has no flaws and leaves intriguing possibilities for follow-ups covering the middle to late period of the 1800s to expand our awareness of this aspect of Americana. My late mother, a writer and feminist would have loved it.