"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal." This quote from Elizabeth Cady Stanton on the very first page of the book Not for Ourselves Alone really sets the tone for this book. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, pioneers of the American feminist movement, are portrayed as courageous and heroic in Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, an account written by Geoffrey C. Ward (author of A First-Class Temperament). The story of their work to bring women their basic civil rights has almost been forgotten but brought back into the light by Ward. Not for Ourselves Alone is a companion book to the PBS documentary that was directed and produced by Ken Burns (director and producer of The Civil Wars, Baseball, Jazz, and Mark Twain). This book, published in 1999 by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, includes 185 illustrations and pictures in both color and black and white. In addition, Not for Ourselves Alone includes a preface by Ken Burns, an introduction by Paul Barnes, and contributions from Martha Saxton, Ann D. Gordon, and Ellen Carol DuBois. …show more content…
Anthony made one of the largest social transformations in American history. Ward supports this by showing the public and private life of Anthony and Stanton. The unlikely partnership and friendship of these two important women is showed in great detail and was based in the belief of women's rights, despite the two women being entirely different. Stanton was wealthy, a good writer, and radical thinker but also a mother and wife, and Anthony came from a Quaker family and was eager for action and ready to work because she was unmarried. Ward argues that this is one of the reasons that they worked so well together. The purpose of this book and the accompanying documentary is to educate readers and viewers of two extraordinary women that are often forgotten