67 pages • 2 hours read
248
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1880s
1910
Adult
14+ years
Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams recounts her efforts to improve the living conditions of working-class immigrants in Chicago's West Side slums, tracing the evolution and impact of Hull-House from its founding in 1889. Inspired by her observations of poverty in East London, Addams established this Settlement House to provide social, educational, and charitable activities and to advocate for protective legislation for laborers. The book describes various reforms initiated by Hull-House, such as child care, educational programs, and labor rights advocacy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual and societal well-being.
Informative
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Contemplative
Hopeful
1,406 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jane Addams' Twenty Years at Hull House is widely praised for its insightful depiction of social reform and pioneering efforts in community building. Readers appreciate its firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by immigrants in Chicago. However, some critique the narrative for occasionally being overly detailed and a bit dense. Overall, it remains a seminal work in social work literature.
Academic readers interested in social justice, women's studies, and American history will appreciate Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams. Similar to readers of The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois and The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, they will find inspiring insights into early 20th-century social reform and activism.
1,406 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
248
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1880s
1910
Adult
14+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.