42 pages • 1 hour read
The Woman's Hour
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Book Brief
416
Book • Nonfiction
Nashville, Tennessee • 1920s
2018
Adult
18+ years
1250L
Super Short Summary
The Woman’s Hour by Elaine Weiss chronicles the final battle for the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in Nashville, Tennessee, during the summer of 1920, focusing on the efforts of suffragists Carrie Chapman Catt and Sue Shelton White and opposition leader Josephine Pearson. The narrative details the intense political struggle culminating in a dramatic legislative vote that passes by only two votes, highlighting the significant, hard-fought campaign for women's voting rights. The book discusses themes of suffrage, cultural conflicts, and democracy, with political tension, big business corruption, and controversial tactics used by both sides playing major roles.
Informative
Inspirational
Challenging
Emotional
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
4,544 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss captures the intense final push for women's suffrage in America, combining strong narrative with meticulous research. Readers commend its vivid storytelling and rich historical context, though some note it can be dense and slow-paced. Overall, an important and compelling read despite occasional verbosity.
Who Should Read The Woman's Hour?
Readers who enjoy The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss would likely savor historical narratives with a strong focus on women's rights. Fans of Doris Kearns Goodwin's The Bully Pulpit or Hillary Clinton's What Happened might similarly appreciate Weiss's riveting account of the fight for the 19th Amendment.
4,544 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Josephine Pearson
Josephine Pearson
A conservative academic from Tennessee who actively opposes women's suffrage, motivated by promises to her mother and her adherence to Old South values.
Sue Shelton White
Sue Shelton White
A dedicated suffrage advocate from Tennessee who, despite feeling out of her depth, leads the Nashville campaign for the National Woman’s Party.
Albert Roberts
Albert Roberts
The Democratic Governor of Tennessee who, despite political risks and initial reluctance, works to support the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.
Seth Walker
Seth Walker
The charismatic Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, who shifts from initial support to actively opposing the suffrage amendment due to political interests.
Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
The Republican presidential candidate during the suffrage debates, who chooses to remain neutral despite pressures from both supporters and opponents of the amendment.
416
Book • Nonfiction
Nashville, Tennessee • 1920s
2018
Adult
18+ years
1250L
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