Presents more than nine hundred alphabetized entries and related essays on topics and important figures in the history of American women from 1585 to 2001, as well as several source documents.

This illustrated encyclopedia examines the unique influence and contributions of women in every era of American history, from the colonial period to the present. It not only covers the issues that have had an impact on women, but also traces the influence of women's achievements on society as a whole. Divided into three chronologically arranged volumes, the set includes historical surveys and thematic essays on central issues and political changes affecting women's lives during each period. These are followed by A-Z entries on significant events and social movements, laws, court cases and more, as well as profiles of notable American women from all walks of life and all fields of endeavor. Primary sources and original documents are included throughout.

The first reference work to draw together the stories and studies of women in the American Civil War, this annotated bibliography offers access to the literature that documents the history of women who experienced the war, changed it, and were changed by it. Offering nearly 800 entries, it lists both primary and secondary sources, classic and current works, and items in print and available on the Internet. Drawing together over one hundred years of writings, Women in the American Civil War: An Annotated Bibliography is an invaluable resource for readers and researchers interested in this neglected topic. During the American Civil War women played a highly significant role, yet modern writers often overlook their experiences and contributions. Women in the American Civil War: An Annotated Bibliography is the first reference work to focus exclusively on women in the war. Sections list sources on such diverse topics as women as nurses and medical relief workers, women's changing economic roles, their lives as refugees, as spies and scouts, or in military camps. It also looks at the literature on the miscellaneous topics of women in public, wives of politicians and military commanders, family life, and women on the wrong side of the law.

This three-volume reference brings together the past 40 years of scholarship and debate concerning women. Topics in Volume I include colonization, revolution, and the new nation (1585-1820); Volume II addresses the Civil War, western expansion, and industrialization (1820-1900); and Volume III discusses suffrage, world war, and modern times (1900 to the present). In addition to biographies of particular women, entries include essays and longer articles that analyze and interpret the developments that have carried women from traditional societies to the complex modern world, thus placing women's lives and accomplishments within a larger context. Each volume also contains letters and other documents, suggestions for further reading, some cross-referencing, and highlights that include trailblazers, striking quotations, and women's firsts. The set includes many bandw photographs and other illustrations. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Presents more than nine hundred alphabetized entries and related essays on topics and important figures in the history of American women from 1585 to 2001, as well as several source documents.

America was founded on bold ideas and beliefs. This book examines the ideas and movements that shaped our nation, presenting thorough, accessible entries with sources that improve readers' understanding of the American experience. Presenting accessibly written information for general audiences as well as students and researchers, this three-volume work examines the evolution of American society and thought from the nation's beginnings to the 21st century. It covers the seminal ideas and social movements that define who we are as Americans—from the ideas that underpin the Bill of Rights to slavery, the Civil Rights movement, and the idea of gay rights—even if U.S. citizens often strongly disagree on these topics. Organized topically rather than chronologically, this encyclopedia combines primary sources and secondary works or historical analyses with text describing the ideas and movements in question. In addition, each entry includes a list of suggestions for further reading that directs readers to supplementary sources of information. The set's unique perspective serves to depict how American society has evolved from the nation's beginnings to the present, revealing how Americans as a people have acted and responded to key ideas and movements.