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ctorms's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating examination on how the invention of the bicycle helped women gain new freedoms. Gorgeous photos and enlightening primary sources reveal just how restricted women's lives were and how the bicycle offered so many escapes. Although the subject matter is compelling, the information seemed rather scattered at and personal reflections were too brief. I was dying for more accounts and criticisms against ladies riding bicycles just to show the triumph of the movement and the amazing benefits it brought to many women across the world.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
What a clever form to use, almost an adult picture book, though I suppose an illustrated book might also describe it. Basically a history of the development of the bicycle focused especially on the impact to women in the United States. It is a reminder of how far we've come and how far we could fall. Good writing, good use of historical images. Always interesting.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this look at Women's quest for freedom and the history of the bicycle.
sarahfett's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting and informative, and as always with National Geographic books, the layout was great.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
How did the bicycle change women's history? Find out in this readable and visually striking book!
mslibrarynerd's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining and fun this book looks at how bicycles changed the way women related to society. Lots of pictures and sidebars.
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic, informative read. Everything bicycling, from Susan B Anthony's quote to competitive riding.
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
Aw, this is one of my favorite types of non-fiction - social change examined through an object prism. Abrupt ending, though.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
A fun look at the history of bicycles, and also at how bicycling helped give women more freedom. Illustrated with many photographs, advertisements, cartoons, and even sheet music of popular songs about bicycling (did you know there were many pop songs about bicycling *other* than "Daisy" the song about a bicycle built for two? I didn't, until I read this book!). Bikes were a big deal, from the very early "high wheel" models looking like tricycles with large front wheels, to later "safety" bikes that didn't cause so many headers. Bicycling influenced pop culture, clothing (women soon realized they couldn't ride very well in long skirts!), and more. Long distance and speed racing on bikes quickly became popular, and women were able to compete as well as men. But there were also objections to the sport by doctors (mostly men, of course!) who felt it was detrimental to women to ride a bike; thank heavens they were proved wrong. I just loved delving into the "gay nineties" and seeing how bicycles and bike culture evolved. It was definitely a different world then, but most amazing to me is how little the design of the bicycle really has changed, all these years later!
dlarca's review against another edition
4.0
"Let me tell you what I think about bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel." -Susan B. Anthony (1896)
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) documents the rise of the bicycle in American culture and the social impact it had on women. Cycling was fun, good for your health (once they fixed the design so you wouldn't take a header!), and provided a newfound sense of freedom for women around the country. Not everyone was a proponent of women and cycling, though; opposers like Charlotte Smith believed the bicycle was the "devil's advange agent" and would cause young ladies to plummet into a moral downward spiral. Thankfully, those ideas petered out rather quickly. I found it fascinating how much influence the bicycle had on everything from fashion to sports to health and how far women were travelling (hundreds of miles at a time!). This was definitely a great read whether you're a sports fan, cycling enthusiast, or woman's history buff.
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) documents the rise of the bicycle in American culture and the social impact it had on women. Cycling was fun, good for your health (once they fixed the design so you wouldn't take a header!), and provided a newfound sense of freedom for women around the country. Not everyone was a proponent of women and cycling, though; opposers like Charlotte Smith believed the bicycle was the "devil's advange agent" and would cause young ladies to plummet into a moral downward spiral. Thankfully, those ideas petered out rather quickly. I found it fascinating how much influence the bicycle had on everything from fashion to sports to health and how far women were travelling (hundreds of miles at a time!). This was definitely a great read whether you're a sports fan, cycling enthusiast, or woman's history buff.