MacPherson offers a balanced and nuanced view of the roles of Victoria Woodhull and her sister Tennie Claflin as early agitators for social reform. One of the best books about Woodhull and Claflin I have read. MacPherson provides a well researched narrative that counters some of the more speculative and sordid versions of biographies of Woodhull. I especially appreciated her in-depth treatment of Tennie Claflin, who is often written about in the shadow of her sister. Although I was not impressed with MacPherson's writing style, I was fascinated with this tidbit of the history of women's rights. Sisters Victoria Woodhull and Tennie Claflin were two women I'd never heard of--the history books ignore them in favor of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton--but these ladies were well-known in post-Civil War America. In fact, Woodhull even tried to run for president, 120 years before Hillary Clinton! MacPherson pieces together their astounding story, beginning with their childhood work as psychics and patent medicine peddlers. Through their dogged determination, the sisters escape their family (well, unfortunately, they never entirely escape their family) and become the first women to open a brokerage firm on Wall Street.Why haven't you heard of them? I bet it's because the history books are hesitant to give us a story the includes so much scandal. Woodhull was in favor of "free love," which meant something entirely different in the nineteenth century: essentially, it was in favor of allowing women to divorce husbands they didn't love. Woodhull lived with both her current husband and her ex-husband in the same house. Then there was that little incident with Claflin, when he was indicted for murder. There's their involvement with Commodore Vanderbilt (why would he give them $10,000?) and their role in the Reverend Henry Beecher's (brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe) affairs with parishioners. They were arrested and put on trial for sending obscene material (their newspaper) through the mail. Eventually the duo left America (possibly with money supplied by another Vanderbilt) and married Englishmen, with Tennie Claflin becoming Lady Cook. Yes, the girl indicted for murder became an English aristocrat, now allying herself with the Suffragettes. Perhaps all this interesting material is the reason they don't get a nod in current history books--too bad, because history Woodhull/Claflin style is much more interesting.
What do You think about Scarlet Sisters (2014)?
Early reading indicates Myra has done an incredible job. This WaPo veteran always does.
—tbrisa
Picturesque glimpse into another era.
—carlamorton
