debbiecuddy's review
5.0
Summer book bingo-About fiber or craft
I've had this book on my shelf for twenty years and in that time I've only read a few select chapters. I'm glad that I finally took the time to read the entire book. This book is a history of women-both white and indigenous- and their role in the development of the economy of our nation during the colonial period and the early years of the republic. This history is told through the story of specific handmade objects and their makers. Because women during this time had few rights, I found it fascinating to read about their role in the building of our nation through their handiwork skills.
I've had this book on my shelf for twenty years and in that time I've only read a few select chapters. I'm glad that I finally took the time to read the entire book. This book is a history of women-both white and indigenous- and their role in the development of the economy of our nation during the colonial period and the early years of the republic. This history is told through the story of specific handmade objects and their makers. Because women during this time had few rights, I found it fascinating to read about their role in the building of our nation through their handiwork skills.
bravelass85's review
4.0
An interesting read that focuses on specific items from early American history and then digs in as deeply as possible - an unfinished stocking, an embroidered hanging, a spinning wheel - what can these items tell us about women and their work, their lives? Thatcher is one of my heroes - a great thinker who helped create the modern study of marginalized groups like native peoples and women, who are not represented equally in texts. By turning to physical artifacts she created a new method of trying to piece together the experience of people hundreds of years ago.
shksprsis's review against another edition
5.0
Ulrich has an immense skill for looking at an object and seeing something far beyond its value as a practical object or collectible. To her, Molly Ocket’s pocketbook does not just tell the tale of ancient twining techniques but “reveals as well the complex history of a people living in the violent borderland between New England and New France” (250). It reflects the combination of cultures, both Abenaki and colonial, and illuminates the story of cultural exchange and conquest. Molly Docket was not an artifact from a dying culture during the 18th century, she was a person who reflected the dynamism of the culture and time period that existed for her at the time.
Ulrich does this time and gain in her book The Age of Homespun. Ordinary people whose lives would be lost to us because of a lack of written documentation gain a voice through her dogged research and tireless interrogation. She refuses to let relied upon myths in American culture stand without intense scrutiny of the objects she uses in her book. The idea of a patriarchal society where women had few possessions and little power is challenged through her analysis of Hannah Bernard’s cupboard. The cupboard is not just a decorative piece of furniture or collectible for those who enjoy Hadley chests, but “devices for building relationships and lineages over time, and it helps us to understand the cultural framework within which ordinary women became creators as well as custodians of household goods” (111).
Through Ulrich’s analysis, themes about women’s role in colonial society, the conquest of the Native Americans and decline of handmade goods due to the Industrial Revolution are developed. In particular, Ulrich ties women’s power in their household to their role in making fine linens and woven cloth that eventually became the province of factories. Once that happened, how would women assert control over their households? What would their place be? Ulrich truly demonstrates the power that ordinary objects have in telling the story of ordinary lives.
Ulrich does this time and gain in her book The Age of Homespun. Ordinary people whose lives would be lost to us because of a lack of written documentation gain a voice through her dogged research and tireless interrogation. She refuses to let relied upon myths in American culture stand without intense scrutiny of the objects she uses in her book. The idea of a patriarchal society where women had few possessions and little power is challenged through her analysis of Hannah Bernard’s cupboard. The cupboard is not just a decorative piece of furniture or collectible for those who enjoy Hadley chests, but “devices for building relationships and lineages over time, and it helps us to understand the cultural framework within which ordinary women became creators as well as custodians of household goods” (111).
Through Ulrich’s analysis, themes about women’s role in colonial society, the conquest of the Native Americans and decline of handmade goods due to the Industrial Revolution are developed. In particular, Ulrich ties women’s power in their household to their role in making fine linens and woven cloth that eventually became the province of factories. Once that happened, how would women assert control over their households? What would their place be? Ulrich truly demonstrates the power that ordinary objects have in telling the story of ordinary lives.
katekor's review
4.0
This was really good. I tried gutting it as I'm reading it for class, but I kept slowing down and reading word for word because I found it so interesting (especially the explanations of needlework processes and when she gives glimpses of women's diaries).
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