The Reader's Shelf—Birth Pangs: Mothers of the American Revolution

The Revolutionary (1763–83) and Federalist (1789–1801) eras were pivotal times in American history, full of turmoil and conflicts that could only be resolved by heroes. Many books have been written about the accomplishments of the Founding Fathers, but these great men would never have been able to form the United States without the aid of the women in their lives. These strong heroines have their own glorious stories to tell as this gathering of historical nonfiction and fictional reimaginings can attest.

Perhaps the defining look at the women behind the men of the American Revolution is Cokie Roberts's Founding Mothers (Perennial: HarperCollins. 2005. ISBN 978-0-06-009026-5. pap. $14.95). Covering the 1770s through the 1790s, this group biography focuses on the links among women such as Abigail Adams and Martha Washington as well as a wide variety of lesser-known historical figures like the lively Kitty Green. With amusing asides and an engaging, conversational tone, Roberts brings the bravery and sacrifice of these amazing women to sparkling life.

For a fictionalized look at some of the same women, readers should try Patriot Hearts: A Novel of the Founding Mothers by Barbara Hambly (Bantam. 2007. ISBN 978-0-553-38337-9. pap. $14). Here, the focus is on the three wives and one lover of our first four presidents: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and Sally Hemings. Hambly deftly shifts back and forth through time, employing a slowly unfolding narrative that depicts both the everyday details of the Federalist period and the looming social issues, particularly slavery, that overshadowed American life. Paired with Founding Mothers, it is a sure bet for a lively book discussion session.

In Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams (Touchstone: S. & S. 2002. ISBN 978-0-7432-3443-6. pap. $15), Lynne Withey reveals Adams in all her contradictory glory through excerpts from the many letters she sent throughout her life. A fascinating mix of points of view, Adams ardently supported women's rights but also believed that a woman's place was in the home; a tireless advocate for the American Revolution, she later fought against democracy and freedom of the press. With lucid commentary, Withey peels away the layers of issues and politics to get to the heart of who Abigail Adams really was.

Abigail Adams is also revealed in Irving Stone's sprawling historical novel Those Who Love (1965. o.p.), which traces Abigail's relationship with her husband, John, and the time frame of American history from when the two famous lovers met until the end of the Adams's tenure in the White House. Stone details the heartbreaking loneliness that dogged Abigail when John had to be away, her steadfast and competent management of their Massachusetts farm, and the role she played as John's most important political advisor. Thick with details, Stone's well-researched work is dense but rewarding.

Roberta Grimes's My Thomas: A Novel of Martha Jefferson's Life (1992. o.p.) re-creates the lost diary of the much-loved but short-lived wife of Thomas Jefferson. Martha is often overlooked as one of the women of the revolution, perhaps because she and Thomas were only married for ten years before she died in childbirth, or perhaps because she is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Thomas's relationship with Sally Hemings. Grimes comes down firmly on the side of those who believe the Hemings affair never happened, and her reverent portrait of Martha and Thomas will delight fans of romantic and tragic love stories.

Not all women were directly involved with the creation of our nation, and A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785–1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (Vintage. 1991. ISBN 978-0-679-73376-8. pap. $15.95) records the eponymous Maine midwife who attended 814 deliveries in 27 years. Each chapter excerpts the diary entries for one month of Ballard's life; Ulrich then dissects and expands upon the entries, presenting a clear picture of the society that more famous women were fighting to preserve and direct.

For a heroine just as feisty as the women in Founding Mothers but not as high in society, Karen Swee's Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Murder: A Revolutionary War Mystery (Bridge Works. 2003. ISBN 978-1-882593-81-1. pap. $15.95) features accidental detective and tavern mistress Abigail Lawrence, who finds a man skewered to her tavern floor with a British officer's sword. When her uncle stands accused of the murder, Abigail becomes embroiled in Revolutionary espionage as she tries to clear his name.