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Rating: 
Summary: Poor, Downtrodden Women in the West: Victims?
Review: I found the flavor of this book to be somewhat disturbing in that it consistently sought to portray women as victims of oppressive men--this is a tired philosophy as far as I am concerned. Yes, women were victims, but resulting from the norms of the era in which they lived, married, raised families and worked. My own mother would have been prohibited from keeping her job as a clerk at the local five & dime store in 1934 by the local clerks' union had she married--married women were not allowed to hold union-protected jobs. My mother and her love eloped and kept their marriage a secret so that she could continue to work and help raise money to start their new household. Unfortunately, her husband was killed in a car wreck 2 months after their secret marriage, and then the whole "world" knew of their marriage, but as she was suddenly single again, she was allowed to keep her job. Yes, women were beaten by their husbands, and all sorts of dire things happened in family life in Anaconda. However, there are just as many, if not more, happy stories of good families, loving and respectful husbands and employers. These stories are also important to ensure the presence of honesty in the mosaic that is Anaconda's history. Unfortunately, women's stories although numerous, were most often limited to mere phrases or to one or two brief sentences--how much nicer and more valuable it would have been, I think, for the writer to have concentrated her researcher's energies on capturing more in-depth knowledge of these women.
Rating:
Summary: Poor, Downtrodden Women in the West: Victims?
Review: I found the flavor of this book to be somewhat disturbing in that it consistently sought to portray women as victims of oppressive men--this is a tired philosophy as far as I am concerned. Yes, women were victims, but resulting from the norms of the era in which they lived, married, raised families and worked. My own mother would have been prohibited from keeping her job as a clerk at the local five & dime store in 1934 by the local clerks' union had she married--married women were not allowed to hold union-protected jobs. My mother and her love eloped and kept their marriage a secret so that she could continue to work and help raise money to start their new household. Unfortunately, her husband was killed in a car wreck 2 months after their secret marriage, and then the whole "world" knew of their marriage, but as she was suddenly single again, she was allowed to keep her job. Yes, women were beaten by their husbands, and all sorts of dire things happened in family life in Anaconda. However, there are just as many, if not more, happy stories of good families, loving and respectful husbands and employers. These stories are also important to ensure the presence of honesty in the mosaic that is Anaconda's history. Unfortunately, women's stories although numerous, were most often limited to mere phrases or to one or two brief sentences--how much nicer and more valuable it would have been, I think, for the writer to have concentrated her researcher's energies on capturing more in-depth knowledge of these women.
Rating: 
Summary: Anaconda:labor,Community, and Culture in Montana's Smelter C
Review: There have been a few books written on Anaconda's rich history, but this book reveals areas "whispered" about but not previosly written about. As Ms. Mercier mentions in her book, it was a "City of whispers". The book covers controversial events, such as women working in the community, women's roles at home, and the male dominated working class. The book explains how the Unions came to be dominate in the community and why they were needed. It also covers the Union battles with each other for control. It also talks about the Urban Renewal Era and how the community attempts to survive after severe employment cut-backs as a result of the Anaconda Company's blunders in management. Ms. Mercier spent years interviewing people now deceased, and has added insight how things happen in a one company town. I think she tried to cover both sides of the controversies, but there were some areas that were skimpy with information. In all,it is good reading not only for locals, but for anyone interested in the roles of women in a working class community and the problems that arise in a "Company Town".
Rating:
Summary: Anaconda:labor,Community, and Culture in Montana's Smelter C
Review: There have been a few books written on Anaconda's rich history, but this book reveals areas "whispered" about but not previosly written about. As Ms. Mercier mentions in her book, it was a "City of whispers". The book covers controversial events, such as women working in the community, women's roles at home, and the male dominated working class. The book explains how the Unions came to be dominate in the community and why they were needed. It also covers the Union battles with each other for control. It also talks about the Urban Renewal Era and how the community attempts to survive after severe employment cut-backs as a result of the Anaconda Company's blunders in management. Ms. Mercier spent years interviewing people now deceased, and has added insight how things happen in a one company town. I think she tried to cover both sides of the controversies, but there were some areas that were skimpy with information. In all,it is good reading not only for locals, but for anyone interested in the roles of women in a working class community and the problems that arise in a "Company Town".
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