Monday, September 22, 2014

Conversation’s Comeback (Maybe)

Dinner time. The phone rings.  Another political recording. Maybe, instead of gritting my teeth , which I do, I should start a conversation with the real people around me about the importance of voting. A new book categorized as young adult (YA) nonfiction could launch a new meal time activity: talking to each other.

A WOMAN IN THE HOUSE (AND SENATE): How Women came to the United States Congress, Broke Down Barriers, and Changed the Country, by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Foreword by Former U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014

Through a curious set of circumstances, at the same time this book captured my attention, I was also reading A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren and Tough Choices by Hilary Rodham Clinton. What an interesting trio of books!

If you’d like a tip about which one to read first, I’d recommend the YA because it is a good summary and grounding for the other two.  In her acknowledgements, the author, an editor for Booklist whose first book was Susan B. Anthony, says lack of space prevented her from profiling many other women. She encourages readers to look at Women in Congress 1917-2006. I did.

Information from this book is available on the website:
http://history.house.gov/Exhibition-and-Publications/WIC/Women-in-Congress.

This site is definitely well worth the time if your curiosity and courage are heightened by reading author Cooper’s book. Mine were.

The three books on my reading table related well. Both Elizabeth Warren and Hilary Clinton are profiled in author Cooper’s lively and well researched book which includes an appendix, bibliography, and an index which is on its way to being well-thumbed at my house.  Maybe yours, too.

Go ahead. Start a conversation.

 

3 comments:

  1. Appreciations for this post.

    Didn't know of the titles & now they are added to the list!

    We recently went to fundraiser for a great candidate (woman) in our federal district who is attempting to unseat a boorish, backward Congressman. He even during this campaign held a cigars-guysonly event. Meanwhile, each "tea" or more woman-focused event I follow is also always open to men. But he got a voting poll bump from his stunt, as the district is embedded with old, dinosaur-thinkers. Fingers crossed for our gal.

    And I vote for this Book Log post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for setting an example, Jan. Best of luck to your candidate.

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  2. I've been listening to the audio version of Elizabeth Warren's book (she reads it). You mentioned it when I saw you last and then when it appeared at my library I snapped it up. Thanks for these related tips -- Sandy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments.


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