There is much to recommend here, most importantly that a Woman writer, previously neglected, has been given a much needed and much deserved second look by an academic scholar. Unfortunately, the author of this study has little in the way of sensitivity regarding theories of the Other, of the way that Women of Color have been utilized (i.e., put to work) within the fictionizing strategies of white Women, and how contemporary scholars who are Women of Color are challenging the very heart, the very *center*, of his/herstorical discourses mediated by white males. The writer of this book is at some pains to show us her approach as one embodied by feminism, but it unfortunately tends to the usual 'white males don't understand this' and 'white males don't get that', etc., instead of informing us about what *Women* think of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps now and in the past. Perhaps if the author of this study were to broaden her approach to include the incredibly brave and special readings of bell hooks as well as more familiar figures such as Spivak and (Cornel) West, we might have had a more imperative study than the one we have. Nevertheless, this is a first attempt at a book-length scholarly approach to Phelps, and it is a welcome start.

Anyone out there that can help me in trying to explain with the psychological struggle she went through with her children, husband, career,and life in general would be appreciated.