First Generations: Women in Colonial America Paperback – July 1, 1997

So many history books are dry and difficult to read. This was the exact opposite. Carol Berkin breathes life into the dim periods of early Colonial American history. Although she often has little more details than land records, birth, marriage, and death dates (and in some cases, not even that) Berkin is able to paint a vivid picture of what it might have been like for the strong women who, willingly or not, helped to create America. Berkin is an equal opportunity historian -- each chapter of her book focuses on a particular strata of female colonial society: Native America women, African American women, poor white immigrant women, and wealthy women. In this way, the reader gets a full picture of the diverse cultural groups that existed from the earliest days of Colonial America. There are also some real surprises (I wont spoil them for you) which leads the reader to believe that life in Colonial America was much more complex and unpredictable than you might have thought. This book was both educational and entertaining and I highly recommend it.

Well written and researched. Readable, and not boring. I wrongly assumed women from all regions had about the same autonomy. They did not.

Very interesting book. I like that it has information on African Americans, Native Americans, and different type of immigrants. Good read.

it was very interesting read

Although I wish the book had come in sooner, that's just something that I can't complain because it's out of my control, but when the book did come in, I was delighted to see what great condition it was in! Absolutely perfect and brand new! Thank you for packaging the book so nicely.

This textbook arrived quickly as I signed up for student speed, so to say. It was in good shape and packed very well.

required reading for my son - fast shipping

Great condition

For my final module in my degree for History we had to research gender within colonial America, and this book proved to be very imformative. It tackles different regions in America and women's experiences within them, specifically detailing those experiences of Puritan and Quaker women, and those of native Americans as well. Though it does not touch upon the hierarchy within female society, it gives a good insight into the patriarchial system, but lacks connection between the three (arguably four [Chesapeake region]) 'types' of women. All in all, an esay read (which is always a bonus) and very informative as a foundation book.