Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence by Carol Berkin 

 

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are the first names people think of when mentioning the Revolutionary War. Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence by Carol Berkin focuses on the often-overlooked role of women in the American Revolution, including their contributions, experiences, and challenges. Berkin begins Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence with a simple overview of the essential life of a woman in the 17th century. Women faced many legal and social inequalities. Women could not vote or own land and were limited in employment opportunities. A woman's role was simple: to be a "wife and mother" (Berkin 6). If a woman was not married, it placed her “in limbo between childhood and adulthood” (Berkin 5). When women married, no matter if they were rich or poor, they had two daily duties: keeping the house and farm functioning and raising the children. 

After laying the foundation of daily life for women, Berkin describes how the American Revolution interrupted this life. Men from all stations in life left their homes and families to fight in the war. Women were vulnerable to British and American troops overtaking their homes and farms, rape, and other abuses. Some women chose to follow the army for protection. Other women stayed home and protected their homes the best they could. Some women chose to take up arms themselves. Berkin details how women organized boycotts against British goods, raised money for the troops, took care of the sick, and took on the physical labor of building “fortifications and repairing roads” (Berkin 124). 

Carol Berkin is known for meticulous research methods to ensure the historical accuracy of the events presented. Berkin does not shy away from unpleasant subjects and gives the reader a clear and unbiased view of the events the women endured. Berkin weaves personal details and historical events together to provide a complete narrative and cohesive view of this era. Carol Berkin is a highly respected author and historian. Carol Berkin’s well-researched and engaging writing style gives history students a deeper understanding of the role's American Revolution and the women who lived through it. 

Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards 

 

Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards is a captivating psychological thriller that follows the story of Christine Prusik, a forensic anthropologist who takes on her first major case with the FBI. The plot centers around a serial killer who is leaving carved stones inside his victims, a tradition that is not commonly practiced in Papua New Guinea, but which Prusik personally connects to due to her knowledge of the country's tribal practices. With time running out, Prusik must navigate the complex bureaucracy of the FBI while racing to find the killer before more women fall victim to his unique trademark. This novel offers an engaging exploration of human psychology, cultural practices, and the struggle against institutional constraints. 

The story of Lloyd Devereux Richards and his novel Stone Maidens is a fascinating example of the unpredictable nature of the book market. Published in 2012 after a successful legal career, the novel did not initially gain much traction with readers. However, in a stroke of luck, Richards' daughter, Marguerite, created a TikTok video about her father and his book in February of 2023. Almost overnight, Stone Maidens became a top-selling book on Amazon, demonstrating the power of social media to elevate previously unknown works to mainstream success. The sudden surge in popularity of the novel is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted psychological thrillers and the importance of word-of-mouth marketing in the publishing industry.