LEADING LADIES

From Sen. Hutchison (R-Texas), a compilation of sincere biographical snapshots of great American women.

As a follow-up to her previous book American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country (2004), the author presents mini-biographies of women who aided the development of the United States in a variety of fields—politics, journalism, literature, science, medicine, social work, the military and more. Hutchison sketches each woman’s early years and then works up to the events that made the subject famous, taking care to include the various hardships each woman faced. Regardless of the author’s choices, some readers will undoubtedly complain about certain omissions: For example, why Condoleezza Rice, but not Madeleine Albright? While some of the women, like Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks, are as famous to the average American as, say, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Martin Luther King Jr., others are known only to history buffs or professionals in a specific field—especially the entries in the military, science and medicine sections. At times, the book reads like an encyclopedia, with the more recent ladies receiving greater attention. What sets this book apart is the manner in which Hutchison acknowledges why each subject still merits attention today. Although she rarely delves into minute details, the author provides enough material to encourage readers to seek out a more thorough biography. She clearly respects her subjects—even those who may not share her politics—and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Straightforward and informative—a solid introduction to female American leaders.