A review by lindsayb09
Sensational: The Hidden History of America's "girl Stunt Reporters" by Kim Todd
4.0
*disclosure: I received an uncorrected proof as part of a Goodreads Giveaway
I love learning more about little bits of history I've only encountered in passing. I had known about Nellie Bly and her famous expose on Blackwell's Island, but I had only a vague idea of what a large trend stunt reporting had been, and that so many women had left such a mark on the industry. This was a really well researched and engagingly written read that kept my interest throughout. I especially loved the closing chapters where the author examines the legacy of these women and the way their contributions are sadly still unacknowledged and overlooked in favor of men doing the same things. Typical.
I sometimes found it difficult to track all the many subjects of the book, especially since some of them go by several pseudonyms or changed their last names after marriage. The recap of their careers at the end helped to tie it all back together for me. Overall I found this really informative and inspiring and would definitely recommend it to others interested in women's history, the history of journalism, or even just the history of pop culture trends in the 19th century.
I love learning more about little bits of history I've only encountered in passing. I had known about Nellie Bly and her famous expose on Blackwell's Island, but I had only a vague idea of what a large trend stunt reporting had been, and that so many women had left such a mark on the industry. This was a really well researched and engagingly written read that kept my interest throughout. I especially loved the closing chapters where the author examines the legacy of these women and the way their contributions are sadly still unacknowledged and overlooked in favor of men doing the same things. Typical.
I sometimes found it difficult to track all the many subjects of the book, especially since some of them go by several pseudonyms or changed their last names after marriage. The recap of their careers at the end helped to tie it all back together for me. Overall I found this really informative and inspiring and would definitely recommend it to others interested in women's history, the history of journalism, or even just the history of pop culture trends in the 19th century.