Inventing the American Woman: An Inclusive History, Volume 1: To 1877

When the first edition of this groundbreaking survey of U.S. women’s history first appeared in 1986, no one could have predicted its spectacular success and widespread support—or the vast proliferation of women’s history courses in the nation’s high schools, colleges, and universities.

Informed by the generous feedback of many of “Inventing"’s loyal users—student readers and instructors from every region of the nation—the fourth edition of Glenda Riley’s dynamic text remains the most inclusive, accessible, and affordable choice as a core text for the Women’s History course, as well as useful supplementary reading for courses in Women’s Studies and the U.S. survey.

Completely up to date, with expanded coverage of women in the military, sports, women’s healthcare, divorce, and women of color—especially Spanish-speaking, American Indian, African American, and Asian American women—this well-balanced, interpretive account portrays the myriad of women’s experiences as they shaped and were shaped by American history, and redounds as a remarkable feat of insight and inclusion. As always, each volume features a stunning photographic essay, a visual account from the colonial era to the present.

Glenda Riley is Alexander M. Bracken Professor of History Emeritus at Ball State University. Formerly, she was professor of history and director of the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Northern Iowa. Professor Riley has also served as visiting endowed professor at University College, Dublin; Marquette University; and Mesa State College, In addition to authoring four editions of Inventing the American Women, Professor Riley has written The Life and Legacy of Annie Oakley (1994), A Place to Grow: Women in the American West (1992), Divorce: An American Tradition (1991), The Female Frontier: A Comparative View of Women on the Prairie and Plains (1988), Women and Indians on the Frontier, 1825-1915 (1984), Frontierswomen: The Iowa Experience (1981; 2d ed., 1994), Women and Nature: Saving the “Wild” West (1999), Taking Land, Breaking Land: Women Colonizing the American West and Kenya, 1840-1940 (2003), and Confronting Race: Women and Indians on the Frontier, 1815-1915 (2004), as ell as numerous published articles, reviews, and chapters in edited volumes. Professor Riley now lives on a horse ranch in historic Lincoln County, New Mexico, and is a member of such organizations as the Lincoln County Historical Society and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Posse.