Synopses & Reviews
Born in 1857 and raised in oil country, Ida M. Tarbell was one of the first investigative journalists and probably the most influential in her time. Working for McClure's magazine, Tarbell wrote a series of articles on the Standard Oil Trust, a complicated business empire run by John D. Rockefeller. Her articles revealed to the public the underhanded, even illegal dealings that had built Rockefeller's empire and allowed it to prosper. Later termed "muckrakers" in a speech by Theodore Roosevelt—a term Tarbell disliked—she and her colleagues launched the practice of investigative journalism. Achieving remarkable professional success for a woman of her generation, Tarbell paradoxically declined to support the women's suffrage movement, a stance that tarnished her reputation in later decades. This biography is an engrossing portrait of a complex woman, a trailblazer in a man's world. Includes source notes, bibliography, and index.
Review
"Though Tarbell rejected the term, this will appeal primarily to those interested in the history of muckraking journalism."
—Kirkus
Review
andquot;Any dreamy or bookish girl who once loved 'Harriet the Spy' should immediately take up this lively new biography.andquot;andmdash;
New York Times Book Review
andquot;[A] well-rounded, handsomely illustrated portrait, which will find an enduring place on classroom and library shelvesandquot;andmdash;Booklist, starred review
andquot;A useful study that might lead sophisticated young readers to Wharton's novels.andquot;andmdash;Kirkus Reviews
andquot;This book deserves serious consideration.andquot;andmdash;VOYA
Review
"This accessible biography introduces Zora Neale Hurston's remarkable life and work to a new generation of readers."and#8212;
Booklist"Fradin continues his tradition of writing superbly researched biographies."and#8212;VOYA, 4Q 3P M J
"Zora Neale Hurston and her times come alive in this introduction for young readers."and#8212;Kirkus
"Zora's creative, hopeful, and complicated personality shines through this compelling profile."and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"The writing is straightforward and engaging, and the numerous archival photographs and reproductions add interest and clarification."and#8212;School Library Journal
"[An] engaging account of Hurston's life . . . this well-documented biography is pleasurable reading as well as informative."and#8212;Horn Book
"[Zora!] features the humor and heartache of the life of a brilliant but largely underappreciated writer who only became really well known after her death."and#8212;Bulletin
Synopsis
The only biography of the pioneering investigative journalist Ida M. Tarbell for YA readers, lavishly illustrated with archival photographs and prints.
Synopsis
Born in 1857 and raised in oil country, Ida M. Tarbell was one of the first investigative journalists and probably the most influential in her time.and#160;Her series of articles on the Standard Oil Trust, a complicated business empire run by John D. Rockefeller, revealed to readers the underhanded, even illegal practices that had led to Rockefeller's success. Rejecting the term "muckraker" to describe her profession, she went on to achieve remarkable prominence for a woman of her generation as a writer and shaper of public opinion. This biography offers an engrossing portrait of aand#160;trailblazer in a man's world who left her mark on theand#160;American consciousness. Notes, bibliography, index.
Synopsis
Edith Wharton, author of Ethan Frome, The House of Mirth, and other acclaimed novels, was born into a wealthy family. Beginning in childhood, Edith found ways to escape from societyandrsquo;s and her familyandrsquo;s expectations and follow an unconventional, creative path. Unhappily married and eventually divorced, she surrounded herself with male friends. She spent much of her life in Paris and was recognized by the French government for her generosity and hard work during World War I. Her literary and personal life, her witty and incisive correspondence, her fondness for automobiles and small dogsandmdash;all are detailed in this warm and sparkling account of a woman well ahead of her time. Includes a bibliography, source notes, and an index.
Synopsis
The life and times of African American writer Zora Neale Hurston, a larger-than-life personality, controversial advocate of equal rights, and brilliant author of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Synopsis
Zora Neale Hurston was confident, charismatic, and determined to be extraordinary.
As a young woman, Hurston lived and wrote alongside such prominent authors as
Langston Hughes and Alain Locke during the Harlem Renaissance. But unfortunately,
despite writing the luminary work Their Eyes Were Watching God, she was always short
of money. Though she took odd jobs as a housemaid and as the personal assistant to
an actress, Zora often found herself in abject poverty. Through it all, Zora kept writing.
And though none of her books sold more than a thousand copies while she was alive,
she was rediscovered a decade later by a new generation of readers, who knew they
had found an important voice of American Literature.
About the Author
Dennis Brindell Fradin is the author of many books for young readers, including the well-received SAMUEL ADAMS: THE FATHER OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE and, with coauthor and wife Judith Bloom Fradin, IDA B. WELLS: MOTHER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. He lives in Evanston, Illinois.Judith Bloom Fradin has collaborated with Dennis Brindell Fradin on several award-winning books for young readers, includinng Fight On! Mary Church Terrell's Battle for Integration, selected as one of 2004's Best Books for Young Adults among other honors. The Fradins live in Evanston, Illinois