- Hardcover: 379 pages
- Publisher: John Murray Publishers Ltd; 1st ed edition (4 Oct 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0719555841
- ISBN-13: 978-0719555848
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16 x 4.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 701,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"Josephine Butler's name is not widely known...yet she was one of the most significant reformers of the century... Jane Jordan's impressively researched and wonderfully readable biography will change that--and not before time."
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
I have looked into Hell, said Josephine Butler. What she saw during her work with prostitutes in the slums is still shocking. The transformation of this genteel wife of a schoolmaster and mother of four, into a powerful force for change is still one of the great stories of the 19th century.;Josephine Butler was no ordinary reformer - she did not believe in punitive discipline, and the houses she established for prostitutes to rebuild their lives were very different from those set up by other Victorian reformers. She approached these prostitutes as friends, taking some into her home with the full support of her family. Her story is also the story of a remarkable marriage.;Physically frail, Josephine Butler brought superhuman energy to her often dangerous campaigning work, often travelling great distances, swaying huge crowds with her speeches and writing fiery and effective polemics. She was largely responsible for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts in 1886, which had subjected women to painful, humiliating examinations, and her involvement in the exposure of the sale of young girls into prostitution helped raise the age of consent for girls from 13 to 16.She was prominent also in the campaign for equal education which ultimately opened universities to women. Jane Jordan's vivid biography attempts to do justice to a fascinating woman, so much of her time and yet so modern in her attitudes.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was a real eye opener for me. Jane Jordan's new biography of
radical campaigner for women's rights, Josephine Butler, is not only a
recovery of a crucial figure in British History, but a fascinating study
of how passionate moral commitment can achieve its aims. Butler's
genteel life was transformed into one of complete political and moral
commitment through her empathy with women excluded from a polite society
that she herself was heir to. The same society that 'protected' her
virtue made their careers as prostitutes an economic necessity. Butler
saw straight through this hypocrisy and was determined to expose it.
radical campaigner for women's rights, Josephine Butler, is not only a
recovery of a crucial figure in British History, but a fascinating study
of how passionate moral commitment can achieve its aims. Butler's
genteel life was transformed into one of complete political and moral
commitment through her empathy with women excluded from a polite society
that she herself was heir to. The same society that 'protected' her
virtue made their careers as prostitutes an economic necessity. Butler
saw straight through this hypocrisy and was determined to expose it.
Charismatic and persistent, she campaigned ceaselessly in defence of the
rejected women she called her 'darlings' in a political arena that was
sceptical of and hostile to a female campaigner, and the growth of her
ultimately successful campaigns for parliamentary reform, makes for an
engrossing read. Jordan's narrative reveals the nineteenth century
context for these issues and, in other areas that we assume to be
contemporary to us such as child prostitution, it is also timely.
Weighty subjects, but Jordan's biography gives us a gripping narrative
and a portrait of a really remarkable woman. I couldn't put it down
after each chapter, and read it for two days straight. Inspiring stuff.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I consider myself reasonably knowledageble on the history of the struggle for women's basic human rights and suffrage, but I am ashamed to admit that before reading a review of this book, I had never heard of Josephine Butler. Shamed enough to want to fill in the gaps, I found the book a revelation. This immensely readable and interesting book is written without sentiment but with a real understanding of what drove poor frail Josephine to campaign tirelessly for the rights of women her society considered beyond the pale. While suffragists (the term 'suffragette' was considered patronising at the time) later went on to claim the glory for their considerable part in history, many were essentially redoubtable Tory ladies who wanted the vote for respectable middle and upper class women like themselves and cared little for the practicalities of addressing poverty. By contrast, years before Josephine had been tackling matters hands-on , with a liberal attitude to all, men and women alike. Brave and committed she was, but her work was often to the detriment of her family and at least one of her children never forgave her for the neglect he felt he suffered. An entertaining and enlightening read.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wow! As someone who rarely reads books of this nature I can only say what a joyous read it was. I started this book with the negative mind-set that I would find it incredibly hard going and would struggle to finish it.
None of it!!
It was a compelling read and my only complaint is that my arms ached at the finish as I simply could not put it down until I had finished it! Not wishing to offend the author I would say that this is not only a book for the academic and studious but a damn good read for the masses.
I was enthralled at the long and detailed introduction which beautifully set the background to this remarkable lady. The family histories of both Josephine Butler and her husband's family read like a real life Jane Austen novel and made you feel that you really knew Mrs. Butler. This added to the enjoyment of this book as you truly felt her frustration, pain and joy as she fought her long crusade.
Her lifetime of ill-health made her dedication to the cause and her undying passion for the plight of the less fortunate women of her time almost unbelievable. The thirty plus years she fought for women's rights showed her fortitude, patience and total belief in her work.
Not only did Josephine Butler dedicate her life to this work but her husband, George, made incredible life sacrifices to support the woman he loved and believed in.
How can such a influential woman have been so widely unknown? I can only thank Jane Jordan for bringing her life and works to the attention of us all and in a style which is not only pleasing to the literary circles but to layman such as myself.
I look forward with eager anticipation to Mrs. Jordan's next work. Thankyou.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Against all odds
Josephine Butler was a conventional middle class Victorian wife and mother who risked her reputation and, at times, her life to fight for justice for some of the most abused and... Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by hbw
Fascinating
I really enjoyed reading this and was hooked from the start - I couldn't put it down. From reading the book it's easy to see the huge contribution that Josephine made to changing... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2009 by Missy
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