Books available from local and online bookstores:
Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II
Once there was a time in America when women were told they could do anything. And they did. From 1942 to 1945, while men fought on the battlefronts of World War II, over 18 million American women filled the civilian and defense positions created as the country shifted to wartime production. With fascinating anecdotal and personal accounts and more than 60 unforgettable photographs, Rosie the Riveter portrays the millions of women who changed the course of history for themselves and America, forever.
Once there was a time in America when women were told they could do anything. And they did. From 1942 to 1945, while men fought on the battlefronts of World War II, over 18 million American women filled the civilian and defense positions created as the country shifted to wartime production. With fascinating anecdotal and personal accounts and more than 60 unforgettable photographs, Rosie the Riveter portrays the millions of women who changed the course of history for themselves and America, forever.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship that Changed the World
Weaving events, quotations, personalities, and commentary into a page-turning narrative, Penny Colman vividly portrays the legendary friendship between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, a friendship that fueled and sustained the nineteenth-century fight for woman's rights, a fight they waged, despite fierce opposition, daunting conditions, scandalous entanglements, and betrayal by their friends and allies. Extensive backmatter, 16-page photo gallery.
Weaving events, quotations, personalities, and commentary into a page-turning narrative, Penny Colman vividly portrays the legendary friendship between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, a friendship that fueled and sustained the nineteenth-century fight for woman's rights, a fight they waged, despite fierce opposition, daunting conditions, scandalous entanglements, and betrayal by their friends and allies. Extensive backmatter, 16-page photo gallery.
Thanksgiving: The True Story
In her signature narrative nonfiction style, Penny Colman paints a fascinating picture of this cherished American holiday.She examines numerous Thanksgiving claims which were antecedents to the national holiday we celebrate today, raises the turkey question — does everyone eat turkey on Thanksgiving?—and shows Sarah Josepha Hale’s instrumental role in establishing the holiday. Get ready to delve into the rich past of Thanksgiving in an enlightening history that uncovers the true story. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
In her signature narrative nonfiction style, Penny Colman paints a fascinating picture of this cherished American holiday.She examines numerous Thanksgiving claims which were antecedents to the national holiday we celebrate today, raises the turkey question — does everyone eat turkey on Thanksgiving?—and shows Sarah Josepha Hale’s instrumental role in establishing the holiday. Get ready to delve into the rich past of Thanksgiving in an enlightening history that uncovers the true story. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Books available through this web site: discount price $10, plus $3 postage/handling
Where the Action Was: Women War Correspondents in World War II
During World War II, 127 women managed to obtain official accreditation from the U.S. War Department as war correspondents. In spite of U.S. military regulations that forbade women to cover combat, Martha Gellhorn, Margaret Bourke-White, Lee Miller, and many others found ways to get where the action was. With over seventy black-and-white photographs and actual newspaper dispatches Where the Action Was paints a vivid picture of what these brave reporters did and how they did it.
During World War II, 127 women managed to obtain official accreditation from the U.S. War Department as war correspondents. In spite of U.S. military regulations that forbade women to cover combat, Martha Gellhorn, Margaret Bourke-White, Lee Miller, and many others found ways to get where the action was. With over seventy black-and-white photographs and actual newspaper dispatches Where the Action Was paints a vivid picture of what these brave reporters did and how they did it.
Breaking the Chains: The Crusade of Dorothea Lynde Dix
A relentless reformer, Dorothea Lynde Dix led a forty-year crusade for the humane treatment of people with mental illness. Drawing on passages from Dix's own writings, Penny Colman tells her powerful story, including her service for the Union army during the Civil War as Superintendent of Female Nurses. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and a table from the First Annual Report of the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, December 1848.
A relentless reformer, Dorothea Lynde Dix led a forty-year crusade for the humane treatment of people with mental illness. Drawing on passages from Dix's own writings, Penny Colman tells her powerful story, including her service for the Union army during the Civil War as Superintendent of Female Nurses. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and a table from the First Annual Report of the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, December 1848.
A Woman Unafraid: The Achievements of Frances Perkins
President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor in 1933 during the greatest economic crisis in America history--the Great Depression. At that time, women weren't supposed to have careers, or be outspoken, or be powerful. But that did not stop Frances Perkins. WIth her familiar tricorn hat planted firmly on her head, Perkins prodded, pressured, and persuaded businessmen, labor leaders, and politicians to respond to the needs of the American people and end child labor, establish safer working conditions, fairer wages, reasonable working hours, unemployment insurance, and Social Security. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor in 1933 during the greatest economic crisis in America history--the Great Depression. At that time, women weren't supposed to have careers, or be outspoken, or be powerful. But that did not stop Frances Perkins. WIth her familiar tricorn hat planted firmly on her head, Perkins prodded, pressured, and persuaded businessmen, labor leaders, and politicians to respond to the needs of the American people and end child labor, establish safer working conditions, fairer wages, reasonable working hours, unemployment insurance, and Social Security. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial
Drawing on extensive historical and anthropological research, personal accounts, and interviews with people who work in the funeral industry, Penny Colman examines the compelling subjects of death and burial across cultures and societies. The text, enriched with stories both humorous and poignant, includes details about the decomposition and embalming process and describes the various customs associated with containing remains. Over 180 black-and-white photographs, many taken by Penny Colman. Extensive backmatter, including a list of burial sites of famous people, images in arts associated with death, fascinating epitaphs, a chronology, etc.
Drawing on extensive historical and anthropological research, personal accounts, and interviews with people who work in the funeral industry, Penny Colman examines the compelling subjects of death and burial across cultures and societies. The text, enriched with stories both humorous and poignant, includes details about the decomposition and embalming process and describes the various customs associated with containing remains. Over 180 black-and-white photographs, many taken by Penny Colman. Extensive backmatter, including a list of burial sites of famous people, images in arts associated with death, fascinating epitaphs, a chronology, etc.
Adventurous Women: Eight True Stories About Woman Who Made a Difference
Award-winning author Penny Colman offers a compelling collection of true stories about eight women who were bold enough to confront obstacles and take risks in the pursuit of their goals. This is a book that celebrates the intelligence, fortitude, and courage of women. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Award-winning author Penny Colman offers a compelling collection of true stories about eight women who were bold enough to confront obstacles and take risks in the pursuit of their goals. This is a book that celebrates the intelligence, fortitude, and courage of women. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Girls: A History of Growing Up Female in America
From the perspective of girls themselves, this book traces the always spirited and yet sometimes disheartening history of growing up female. Young girls from all regions of the country, from all walks of life, of different races, ethnicities, religions, and classes are given a collective voice in this true story of everyday triumphs and trials. Illustrated with many black-and-white photographs.
From the perspective of girls themselves, this book traces the always spirited and yet sometimes disheartening history of growing up female. Young girls from all regions of the country, from all walks of life, of different races, ethnicities, religions, and classes are given a collective voice in this true story of everyday triumphs and trials. Illustrated with many black-and-white photographs.
Books that are out-of-print and only available at used bookstore sites:
Women in Society: United States of America
A broad overview of the history, social attitudes, cultural traditions, and current status of women in the United States of America. Over 150 color photograph, some taken by Penny Colman.
A broad overview of the history, social attitudes, cultural traditions, and current status of women in the United States of America. Over 150 color photograph, some taken by Penny Colman.
Madam C.J. Walker: Building a Business Empire
An inspiring biography for young readers of a pioneering African American businesswoman, who made millions and used her wealth to do good in the world. Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs.
An inspiring biography for young readers of a pioneering African American businesswoman, who made millions and used her wealth to do good in the world. Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs.
Spies! Women in the Civil War
The thrilling story of women who served as spies for the North and South during the Civil War, including Belle "The Siren of the Shenandoah" Boyd, Elizabeth "Crazy Bet" Van Lew, and Harriet Tubman. These were all heroic women and theirs was an extremely dangerous life. If they were caught, and convicted of spying, the penalty could be death by hanging. Readers will be captivated by their true stories and fascinated by the more than twenty photographs that help bring these courageous women to life.
The thrilling story of women who served as spies for the North and South during the Civil War, including Belle "The Siren of the Shenandoah" Boyd, Elizabeth "Crazy Bet" Van Lew, and Harriet Tubman. These were all heroic women and theirs was an extremely dangerous life. If they were caught, and convicted of spying, the penalty could be death by hanging. Readers will be captivated by their true stories and fascinated by the more than twenty photographs that help bring these courageous women to life.
Mother Jones and the March of the Mill Children
A compelling biography and social history for young readers of a fearless labor leader and the dramatic protest march she led with young workers. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
A compelling biography and social history for young readers of a fearless labor leader and the dramatic protest march she led with young workers. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
101 Ways To Do Better in School
Practical sure-fire tips and ideas on how to do better in school. Illustrated with humorous line drawings.
Practical sure-fire tips and ideas on how to do better in school. Illustrated with humorous line drawings.
Strike! The Bitter Struggle of American Workers from Colonial Times to the Present
Throughout American history, workers have had to struggle to gain fair wages and safe, humane working conditions and strikes were a powerful weapon, but they were the last resort. Many strikers lost their jobs. Others were injured when state or federal troops fired on them. Some were killed. Yet, year after year, workers and increasingly powerful unions kept fighting. And through their need for better conditions, men and women workers of different races and in different areas of industry began to band together. In time, a new identity for American workers was forged. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Throughout American history, workers have had to struggle to gain fair wages and safe, humane working conditions and strikes were a powerful weapon, but they were the last resort. Many strikers lost their jobs. Others were injured when state or federal troops fired on them. Some were killed. Yet, year after year, workers and increasingly powerful unions kept fighting. And through their need for better conditions, men and women workers of different races and in different areas of industry began to band together. In time, a new identity for American workers was forged. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Fannie Lou Hamer and the Fight for the Vote
A powerful biography for young readers of the civil rights activist who devoted her life to helping African Americans register to vote and gain a national political voice. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
A powerful biography for young readers of the civil rights activist who devoted her life to helping African Americans register to vote and gain a national political voice. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
Toilets, Bathtubs, Sinks, and Sewers: A History of the Bathroom
An anecdotal social history of the bathroom traces the evolution of toilet and bathing facilities during ancient times, their lack of favor during the medieval period, and the revival of sewers, indoor toilets, showers, sitz baths, and other developments. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.
An anecdotal social history of the bathroom traces the evolution of toilet and bathing facilities during ancient times, their lack of favor during the medieval period, and the revival of sewers, indoor toilets, showers, sitz baths, and other developments. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs.