This fascinating overview of American women's lives during the 1920s covers far more than just the stereotypical images of glamorous, Jazz Age flappers. Gourley combines concise profiles of groundbreaking women, from Margaret Mead to Zelda Fitzgerald, with thoughtful, amply illustrated analysis of how women of the era were portrayed in the media and how those images influenced, or diverged from, women's actual lives. Later chapters investigate the lives of impoverished women and women of color as well as women who fought against social justice and change (including female Ku Klux Klan members). The lively text and images, which include archival photos and reproductions of ads, will easily engage readers with well-chosen facts, such as how sanitary napkins were developed. Source notes and further-reading suggestions conclude this valuable entry in the Images and Issues of Women in the Twentieth Century series.

Gr 7 Up-Numerous encylopedias cover the experiences of women in the United States, among them Doris L. Weatherford's A History of Women in the United States (Grolier, 2003) and Nancy Cott's highly academic No Small Courage (Oxford Univ., 2004). Few such reference titles are as user-friendly and as well suited to middle and high school use. Using popular culture as a lens, each book addresses stereotypes of femininity. Gourley clearly shows that women have been consistently faced with role expectations that stem from diametrically opposed views of what they should be. Organized chronologically, the sparkling and engaging texts are generously expanded by numerous, well-placed black-and-white photographs and period reproductions from magazine advertisements, handbills, government propaganda, radio, and television. The titles give ample indication of the divide-the lovely, corseted Gibson Girl contrasts with the militant suffragist in the same way that Rosie the Riveter puts the smiling postwar housewife, concerned only with husband and family, in relief. Stories of women who either exemplified conventional behaviors or changed them are presented in sidebars or incorporated seamlessly into the narratives. With their wonderful use of primary-source information and documentation, these books are great for research or browsing, and they are sure to pique readers' interest in the history of gender in this country.-Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.