Heroine of the Titanic: The Real Unsinkable Molly Brown - Hardcover

Landau, Elaine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395939127 ISBN 13: 9780395939123

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2001

Synopsis

Margaret (Molly) Brown is best known for her bravery and compassion during the tragic sinking of the Titanic, which catapulted her to international fame virtually overnight. But few people are aware that she was also an outspoken suffragist, a tireless champion of miners’ rights, and one of the first women to run for the U.S. Congress. Raised in a working-class Mississippi River town, Margaret—who was never called Molly in her lifetime—followed her brother to a rough-and-tumble Colorado boomtown at a time when few women dared to settle in the then untamed West. She married a silver miner who eventually struck it rich, and she used her new wealth and social prominence to further her own education and to fight for the rights of others, regardless of their race or religious beliefs. This vivid account of Margaret Brown’s remarkable life from well-regarded author Elaine Landau shows how much a strong woman could accomplish, even at a time when few opportunities were available. Archival photographs and excerpts from early-twentieth-century newspapers and Brown family letters provide a clear picture of this forward-looking, energetic individual and the society that she strove to reform. Chronology, endnotes, bibliography, index.

About this title

About the Author

Elaine Landau has written over one hundred books for young people on a variety of topics ranging from AIDS to terrorism. She lives in Miami, Florida.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A realistic biography of an independent and strong-willed woman. When the ship on which she was traveling to visit her sick grandchild sank, both the Titanic and Margaret Brown were guaranteed perpetual fame. The role that Mrs. Brown took, organizing relief for the survivors, was very much in keeping with her life of charity and generosity, and Landau successfully puts the Titanic experience in the proper perspective of her subject's life. The turn-of-the-century Western American culture of which she was a part is well presented, as is the fact that some people were not ready to accept such a charismatic female. Many others came to respect Mrs. Brown and her family as they admired and appreciated her benevolence. For example, although the wealth that she enjoyed came from her husband's silver mines, she waged a crusade for miners' rights. Along the way, the author clarifies many obscure facts, including how Molly, who never went by that name during her lifetime, was one of the first women to run for Congress. Black-and-white archival illustrations and photos highlight her life as well as greater relevant aspects of the period in which she lived. The cult of Molly Brown is discussed, and photos of her stage and screen representations are included. Landau hits just the right tone in this complete portrait of a "social figure, suffragette, [and] patriot," and readers will enjoy learning the truth about her.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, I.-- patriot," and readers will enjoy learning the truth about her.
Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0395939127
• ISBN 13: 9780395939123
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144