russia

Ryan's Cradle of the Middle Class broke new ground when it was published in '81, forcing historians to rethink the rise of the middle class, placing it into its historical context and at the same time arguing that the retreat to the middle-class home was a choice, for both men and women. Often held up as a classic of women's history, what makes this book amazing is that it's also pioneering in men's history, examining the effect of the domestic sphere on both boys and girls, men and women, and the social, cultural, economic and religious forces that led to their identification with the domestic sphere as the source of moral strength. Ryan gives a clear view of the complex interactions of economic and political change with personal relationships, literature and other social factors in creating the idea of the 'middle class.' She uses a wide variety of sources, including private letters and personal portraits which give oyu an idea of the real people who made these decisions, and it's becautifully organized & well written. For anyone interested in an academic book examining the middle class, the domestic sphere, or the family in the 19th century, this is a great read-- I've read it three times for different graduate classes, and I still like it (and THAT'S a compliment...) :)

This book put me to sleep at every single corner. There was nothing interesting about it, I will never EVER read anything from Mary P. Ryan again.