The Female Economy: The Millinery and Dressmaking Trades, 1860-1930 (Working Class in American History)
Author: Wendy Gamber
List Price: $18.95
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ISBN: 0252066014
Publisher: Univ of Illinois Pr (Pro Ref) (May, 1997)
Sales Rank: 336,366
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 3 out of 5
An interesting topic clogged by Phd.-thesis prose.
As a professional dressmaker myself, I was excited when I found this book. I'm very interested in the history of American women in general and dressmakers in particular. Gamber has done a great deal of research and presents a thoughtful portrait of these early entrepreneurs and how they succeeded and failed. Unfortunately, this book is obviously a Phd. thesis--I say "obviously" because the text is dry and heavy with unnecessary five-dollar words. An idea is never presented simply if it can be presented in a complex and wordy manner. A good editor could have cut the length by 25%. Also, there are very few illustrations, which I found disappointing. Nevertheless, it's the best source available on this very specialized topic, so I persevered.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Informative and extensive
While informative and well-researched, the book lacks an overall spirit that would drive the point home in an entertaining manner. There is great information and insights here that are buried beneath too much raw data. Yet the book is a great addition to an overlooked area of women's history and a fascinating glimpse into turn of the century events that shaped gender, fashion and technology
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