Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Boeken

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • Drawing on the diaries of one woman in eighteenth-century Maine, "A truly talented historian unravels the fascinating life of a community that is so foreign, and yet so similar to our own" ( The New York Times Book Review).Between 1785 and 1812 a midwife and healer named Martha Ballard kept a diary that recorded her arduous work (in 27 years she attended 816 births) as well as her domestic life in Hallowell, Maine. On the basis of that diary, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich gives us an intimate and densely imagined portrait, not only of the industrious and reticent Martha Ballard but of her society. At once lively and impeccably scholarly, A Midwife's Tale is a triumph of history on a human scale.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich delves into the significance of women's contributions to history, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting their often-overlooked roles. Through her exploration, she examines how women have shaped historical events and contexts, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their impact in the broader historical discourse. This work not only celebrates female achievements but also invites readers to reconsider the ways history is recorded and remembered.