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Marching
to a Different Drummer
Unrecognized Heroes of American History
By Robin Kadison Berson Reviews
Profiling 35 reformers and activists prominent in American history from the
eighteenth to the twentieth century, the author says her work is "a
celebration of the maladjustment that has, small increments at a time, moved
American society closer to the ideals we are proud to profess." Many of
these individuals are familiar only to students of the discipline. They include
such figures as Sara Josephine Baker, George Washington Cable, Florence Kelley,
and Rose Schneiderman. Berson says her selection of subjects was based "not
on material success or achievements (of the subjects), but on the breadth and
quality of the vision that animated these lives."
To emphasize the scope and balance of her selection of reformers, the book
begins with four subject lists: social reformers by date of birth, by gender, by
ethnicity, and by major focus of activity. The gender breakdown includes 20
women and 16 men, while in terms of ethnicity, the book includes eight African
Americans, two Asian Americans, two Native Americans, two Hispanics, and 23
European Americans. The major focuses include six abolitionists, 20 civil or
minority rights activists, nine labor rights activists, seven social reformers,
nine women's rights activists, and 11 "freedom of conscience"
activists. Some of the reformers appear in more than one category.
The profiles are arranged alphabetically by surname (William Apess to Minoru
Yasui). The birth and death dates for each activist are given, as well as a
brief abstract summarizing the significance of the reformer's life and
activities. A photo or illustration of each individual follows. A lengthy essay
puts the reformer's life in perspective, discusses and analyzes his or her
activities and puts them in the context of the times, and assesses the
individual's place in American history. The essays are followed by a list of
references used by the author in compiling the profile. Marching to a Different Drummer will be a valuable addition to academic,
public, and high school libraries interested in building their resources on some
of the unsung heroes of American history.
--
Booklist
A collection of some 35 biographical profiles of little known heroes and
heroines of American history from across the ethnic spectrum. Each profile
integrates the individual's life with an explanation of the historical context,
and includes excerpts from speeches, writings, and interviews, with
bibliographical references. Includes b&w photos. Annotation copyright Book
News, Inc. Portland, Or.
--Book News, Inc.
Marching to
a Different Drummer will be a valuable addition to academic, public,
and high school libraries interested in building their resources on
some of the unsung heroes of American history.
--Booklist/Reference
Books Bulletin
A bold and candid look at those who have dared break company with the
conventional, the traditional, and stand for values and causes only
later embraced by the rest of us, who have learned to be far more
cautious, if not fearful--a book about heroism, really: its many
aspects.
--Robert
Coles, Harvard University
Robin Berson has rounded up dozens of dissenters, mavericks, and
reformers from mostly obscure sources to give us this immensely
readable collection of profiles. Her book will help many to live
better lives than they thought possible.
--Milton
Meltzer, Award-winning author of over 70 books on social reform
These 35 little known heroes and heroines of American history from
across the ethnic spectrum have been virtually ignored in traditional
history books. Their inspiring, biographical profiles reveal the
struggle, in the face of entrenched opposition, for a just, equitable,
and humane society. They spoke for racial and social justice, women's
rights, safe working conditions, and freedom of conscience and
religion. More than half of the profiles are of women, one fourth are
of African-Americans, and Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latino
and Chicano Americans are also represented. Each profile integrates
the individual life with a detailed explanation of the historical
context, and each entry provides excerpts from primary
sources--speeches, writings, and interviews--and is followed by broad
bibliographical references.
An alternative perspective on American history for students is offered
in this work. The 35 men and women profiled here all defied the social
and moral conventions of their times, frequently facing opposition and
condemnation. Their voices were often stilled, muted, or lost, but
their ethically grounded courage, their clarity of vision, and their
willingness to stand up to injustice provide role models for Americans
of all ages. One third of these people cannot be found in standard
biographical references and others have never before been the focus of
biographical sketches. Subject lists by chronology, gender, ethnicity,
and focus of the biographee's concern will enable the student to
select an appropriate subject for investigation and reports.
Berson has added breadth and depth to the underdeveloped corpus of
biography on American reformers.
--Wilson
Library Bulletin
You will probably recognize only a few of the 35 names whose
biographical sketches appear in these pages, but that's the idea.
Berson devotes this interesting volume to the achievements of persons
she calls dedicated deviants. She includes contributors to such areas
as infant care, racism and segregation, sweatshop labor, and freedom
of conscience. It is wholesome for young people to learn that persons
of both sexes, from groups often ignored when credit is given--persons
nobody has heard of--have made important contributions. Highly
Recommended.
--The
Book Report
"This collection of brief studies of 35 individuals demonstrates
how heroes and heroines come in many sizes--often unrecognized by
themselves and by others--and should be remembered for their
accomplishments. Berson gives brief but full studies of the
individuals, of the social setting, and of the way these
"dedicated deviants," as she calls them, marched to their
own drum-beat through life."
--IBJournal of
Popular Culture
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