Book Review: The House of Lincoln

the House of Lincoln

By Nancy Horan

Library Copy 

I enjoyed the novel. It made me feel like I was actually living it in real-time in Springfield, and Washington DC. The Characters came alive and actually helped me understand the times before and after the Civil War, and Lincoln's election. I had empathy, and sympathy for some of the characters, Mary for instance. What she went through losing her sons, and the assassination of her husband. What would you do? How would you react?

The toll on slaves, and slavery, the legacy of Lincoln. The effects of the Civil War were never resolved after Reconstruction. It makes you wonder what if. What if President Lincoln wasn't assassinated? What would have been different? It makes you wonder. The author put it in perspective in the last quarter of the novel what did the Civil War solve? Was it worth it? The author fast-forwards to another event in the 1908 riot in Springfield. There is a connection of one of the characters to the riots which surprised and saddened me. Are we surprised we didn't know about this? For me, I'm not. I learned some years ago about Tulsa, then learned ab.out Wilmington. So, no I'm not surprised. There were several riots around the country in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.

I recommend the novel to anyone interested in American History, particularly the history of Lincoln. The only issue the novel was a bit slow in some parts, hence the four stars. But keep going as it gets better. I learned some much and did my research to learn about the riots.

Madame Restell: Book Review

Madame Restell

By Jennifer Wright

Library Copy 

 Jennifer Wright where have you been?! I have been looking for a book on the history of women's reproduction for a few years. Finally, Jennifer Wright has done it, sort of.   

So knowing that you will know I couldn’t wait to read it. It wasn’t at all what I expected. I thought it would be biographical. It wasn’t. It was much more.

I have been wanting to know the history of reproductive rights from the colonial period in America to the present moment.  The book is an eye opener and fascinating. Not only is it a biography. It’s the story of society, culture, and class, gender, and the times from 1840’s till the gilded age, and the present time 2023. 

The book is not just an eye opener how the world viewed reproductive rights. But, how uppity religious zealots forced their views to the rest of us. The men had the rights. The men expected for women to just take it.

But, not Madame Restell. She found a different path after her husband died. She had to find something to support her, and her daughter. She found herbals and abortions would keep her from poverty.

There were several times she was brought into controversy. A time or two. I felt she was wrong what she did. But, all in all the author still brought justification what she did. She was by no means an advocate for women’s reproductive rights. Far more she was a business woman making her millions. She did make it into upper society. But, she was never accepted. She was always considered a criminal.

The book was not just biographical. The author used cultural, political, societal issues into the book to show all aspects, and angles to look at the total picture.
The Book also weaves the story of today with the past. And how we should look at it. I was expecting a one sided story. No! She brings recent history and brings the historical context in.

Personally I never thought of men deliberately taking our rights away for a reason. It’s just how life worked. In the book the author show how men deliberately were afraid of women. Doctors felt threatened by women practicing abortions. Doctors in the 1800’s were not licensed. Many women died from infection. Because doctor’s never thought about sterility. Then Midwives and abortionists came around and they felt threatened. Why you ask? You will have to read the book to find out.

It must have been scary, and horrible for women giving birth. Not knowing if you will live or die. In such poor sanitary conditions in the hospitals. Or doctors not having any medical knowledge about a woman’s anatomy. And just winging it.

Living in 1840’s were pretty horrible. Remember no birth control. One baby after another. You had no control of your body. Men deliberately telling you otherwise. Women didn’t want anymore children. Too many mouths to feed. Either the children end up in an orphanage. Or worse, thrown away. As there weren’t any laws protecting children then. Only other alternative was searching out Madame Restell.

Laws about abortion in 1840 America was lax. By 1870’s laws were starting to get tighter with the Comstock Act in 1973. Life was more difficult for women to obtain medicinal, and abortions. Spoilers: This was the end of Madame Restell's aristocratic life. 

The book is rich in detail, heavily researched. But, also wonderful to learn about life in the 1800’s for women. I could picture the scenes in my head living in NYC in the finery, and a beautiful gilded mansion.

I was a teen when Roe vs. Wade happened in 1973. Never thought it would be overturned. Never in my lifetime. I was not into politics. I didn’t realize politics was slowly taking our rights away. I hope the young people read this book and you get fired up.