Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy

Fradin, Dennis Brindell, Judith Bloom Fradin. (2007). Jane Addams: Champion of Democracy. Boston: Clarion Books. 213 pp. ISBN 0-618-50436-2 (Hardcover); $21.00

Initially I was upset with the decision to have chapter one begin with Addams's work at Hull House with the garbage inspectors. It seems

like a, no pun intended, spoiler of sorts. In retrospect, however, I wonder whether I would have finished this book if I had no sense of Addams' place in history from the start. By the end of the book, I was telling my wife, Ann that I wanted to visit the Hull House museum on our next Chicago trip. Addams is my newest hero. From her refusal to abandon Flora Guiteau, sister of the presidential assassin, to her hounding of Chicago's political bosses, to her absolute dedication to peace--we are in the presence of greatness. The fact that she managed to keep a personal life too is nothing short of astounding. Here is a woman who is the soul of kindness or the most dangerous woman in America! Addams gave a nominating speech for a presidential candidate at a time in which that just did not happen and then was vilified by most of the country for speaking out against WWI. After this Addams receives the Nobel Peace prize! The fact that we do not know absolutely whether she is or is not a Lesbian simply amazes me in today's over-exposed world, especially considering how much she wrote, professionally and personally. The prose of the book gathers momentum. By the time Addams travels to Europe, readers will not be able to put the book down.

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