Reviews
She Votes: How U.S. Women Won Suffrage, and What Happened Next by Nell Irvin Painter, Bridget Quinn
rsnow11's review against another edition
3.0
Some great information on the women’s rights movement. I listened to the audiobook and was torn on the conversational writing style… it was engaging but also not something I could listen to with my small children around.
bookishly_introverted's review against another edition
5.0
This book was even better than I expected it to be. I loved the layout with the photos of the women that were being discussed. I found it pleasing to the eye. There is so much great information in this book. Despite having taken some women's history classes, I found a vast amount of knowledge in this book that I was not aware of. I wish everyone would read this book. I can't recommend it enough!
theallmightyme's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
wonderseeker21's review against another edition
5.0
This book was even better than I expected it to be. I loved the layout with the photos of the women that were being discussed. I found it pleasing to the eye. There is so much great information in this book. Despite having taken some women's history classes, I found a vast amount of knowledge in this book that I was not aware of. I wish everyone would read this book. I can't recommend it enough!
cdseleman's review against another edition
5.0
I AM OBSESSED. Everyone must read this book. I mean EVERYONE. I mean MUST. 6/5 stars I kid you not. It fills me with a fire that this book isn't mainstream. I accidentally stumbled upon it at the end of summer 2020 in a local Chicago shop. I admit (as you can tell by the fact that's it's now March 2021) that it took me a while to actually read this book. I started it as soon as I got it but I had so many other books I needed to read. Thank goodness I finally made this a priority.
She Votes by Bridget Quinn not only broaches a topic that we barely glossed over in our history classes, but brings to light so many aspects of women's suffrage that most people have never known. Oh, and let's be clear, this is not your average history book. Quinn's voice comes through on every page. It's like having a conversation with a friend. I mean, have you ever read a history book that refers to someone as an asshat? No? This book calls out how the feminist movement across centuries blatantly disregarded the interests of Natives, blacks, lesbians - really, any woman who wasn't white, cis, and hetero - and highlights the incredible minority women who impacted feminist gains throughout history. Parts of this book had me literally applauding. For example, keep an eye out for the bananas...you'll know it when you read it ;) The last chapter had me in absolute tears. It took me probably three times longer than it should have to read because my eyes were too blurry to see the words on the pages. The traumas that our young people have already faced, and the strength they exhibit in advocating for themselves, even though they are not yet old enough to speak by way of the vote. I know this is offered as an audiobook but *please* don't go that route. The artwork is just as important as the narrative.
She Votes by Bridget Quinn not only broaches a topic that we barely glossed over in our history classes, but brings to light so many aspects of women's suffrage that most people have never known. Oh, and let's be clear, this is not your average history book. Quinn's voice comes through on every page. It's like having a conversation with a friend. I mean, have you ever read a history book that refers to someone as an asshat? No? This book calls out how the feminist movement across centuries blatantly disregarded the interests of Natives, blacks, lesbians - really, any woman who wasn't white, cis, and hetero - and highlights the incredible minority women who impacted feminist gains throughout history. Parts of this book had me literally applauding. For example, keep an eye out for the bananas...you'll know it when you read it ;) The last chapter had me in absolute tears. It took me probably three times longer than it should have to read because my eyes were too blurry to see the words on the pages. The traumas that our young people have already faced, and the strength they exhibit in advocating for themselves, even though they are not yet old enough to speak by way of the vote. I know this is offered as an audiobook but *please* don't go that route. The artwork is just as important as the narrative.
booksandcoffeerequired's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
cakt1991's review
This is a well-researched, informative book about women’s suffrage, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout. I knew a bit about the history of women gaining the right to vote and their progress and setbacks in the political world since then, but I loved getting a more thorough overview of the topic highlighting many of the trailblazers over the course of the last century.
wonderseeker's review against another edition
5.0
This book was even better than I expected it to be. I loved the layout with the photos of the women that were being discussed. I found it pleasing to the eye. There is so much great information in this book. Despite having taken some women's history classes, I found a vast amount of knowledge in this book that I was not aware of. I wish everyone would read this book. I can't recommend it enough!
wonderseeker's review
5.0
This book was even better than I expected it to be. I loved the layout with the photos of the women that were being discussed. I found it pleasing to the eye. There is so much great information in this book. Despite having taken some women's history classes, I found a vast amount of knowledge in this book that I was not aware of. I wish everyone would read this book. I can't recommend it enough!
seh221's review
4.0
*A digital copy of She Votes was provided to me through NetGalley. Thank you to Chronicle Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
**This book also marks 500 books read and logged on Goodreads. What a fantastic book to hit that milestone with! (I am also very aware that I am the first Goodreads reviewer for this book! Wild!)
Having just graduated college, where I studied politics, history, and women's and gender studies, much of this history I knew or knew of through my studies. What is presented in this book is a well synthesized survey of suffrage and feminism in the United States. Quinn doesn't sugarcoat historical figures or paint them as saints, but rather takes the time to point out their flaws and where they were wrong (see: Alice Paul not wanting black women to march in her suffrage parade). Quinn also does a great job of spotlighting many different voices and women from completely different socioeconomic and professional backgrounds. There were a few times I wondered "oh, I hope she'll mention or discuss X" and it would always be on the next page! Quinn's language is accessible throughout, making this a great read for teens and young adults, but also adult readers wanting to celebrate the successes of women in the US.
In addition to the narrative, the book is also full of gorgeous art by women artists. Each piece was beautiful and it was always exciting to turn the page and wonder what art would be next.
This book concluded wonderfully, and it was exactly what I needed. I imagine it will be what other readers need as well. I'm really looking forward to see others reading this book!
**This book also marks 500 books read and logged on Goodreads. What a fantastic book to hit that milestone with! (I am also very aware that I am the first Goodreads reviewer for this book! Wild!)
Having just graduated college, where I studied politics, history, and women's and gender studies, much of this history I knew or knew of through my studies. What is presented in this book is a well synthesized survey of suffrage and feminism in the United States. Quinn doesn't sugarcoat historical figures or paint them as saints, but rather takes the time to point out their flaws and where they were wrong (see: Alice Paul not wanting black women to march in her suffrage parade). Quinn also does a great job of spotlighting many different voices and women from completely different socioeconomic and professional backgrounds. There were a few times I wondered "oh, I hope she'll mention or discuss X" and it would always be on the next page! Quinn's language is accessible throughout, making this a great read for teens and young adults, but also adult readers wanting to celebrate the successes of women in the US.
In addition to the narrative, the book is also full of gorgeous art by women artists. Each piece was beautiful and it was always exciting to turn the page and wonder what art would be next.
This book concluded wonderfully, and it was exactly what I needed. I imagine it will be what other readers need as well. I'm really looking forward to see others reading this book!
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