Love, love, love--women's history in an accessible format. But that makes this book sound like a History Lesson or medicine or something else not entirely pleasant, but good for you. And that just doesn't do justice to this book.
I loved the women Atkins chose for this--on the surface, it makes no sense. But, all were born in the same year. And all had daughters that worked with them, so there's this interesting push/pull between mother and daughter. All the sections were beautifully written and there were times I wished it wasn't a library book, because I wanted to underline some things.
I first "met" Madam C. J. Walker over ten years ago, when I interned at the Women's Museum and have loved her and admired her ever since. She deserves to be better known, and I was thrilled to see her in a book like this--readers would be hooked by Laura, but maybe they'd be intrigued by Madam Walker.
And I confess that I don't know much about the Curies and now I _really_ must read more.
So this book worked on many levels for me:
It beautifully summed up a story I know well. It highlighted someone I feel needs more attention. And it intrigued me enough to do some more reading.
Which is exactly what a book like this should do. As an educator type, I would kill to use this book in a classroom. I think it could spark some great conversations. Love, love, love. But then, this is a book with my name written all over it. . .