Description
Book Synopsis: Pulitzer Prize Finalist: “A stunning work of biography” about three little-known New England women who made intellectual history (The New York Times).
Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia Peabody were in many ways the American Brontës. The story of these remarkable sisters—and their central role in shaping the thinking of their day—has never before been fully told. Twenty years in the making, Megan Marshall’s monumental biography brings the era of creative ferment known as American Romanticism to new life.
Elizabeth Peabody, the oldest sister, was a mind-on-fire influence on the great writers of the era—Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau among them—who also published some of their earliest works; it was she who prodded these newly minted Transcendentalists away from Emerson’s individualism and toward a greater connection to others. Middle sister Mary Peabody was a passionate reformer who finally found her soul mate in the great educator Horace Mann. And the frail Sophia, an admired painter among the preeminent society artists of the day, married Nathaniel Hawthorne—but not before Hawthorne threw the delicate dynamics among the sisters into disarray.
Casting new light on a legendary American era, and on three sisters who made an indelible mark on history, Marshall’s unprecedented research uncovers thousands of never-before-seen letters as well as other previously unmined original sources. “A massive enterprise,” The Peabody Sisters is an event in American biography (The New York Times Book Review).
“Marshall’s book is a grand story . . where male and female minds and sensibilities were in free, fruitful communion, even if men could exploit this cultural richness far more easily than women.” —The Washington Post
“Marshall has greatly increased our understanding of these women and their times in one of the best literary biographies to come along in years.” —New England Quarterly
Details
Discover the untold story of the three extraordinary Peabody Sisters in "The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism." This Pulitzer Prize finalist is a stunning work of biography that brings to life the remarkable contributions of Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia Peabody. These three New England women were the American Brontës, shaping the intellectual and creative landscape of their time.
Elizabeth Peabody, the oldest sister, was a catalyst for the great writers of the era such as Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau. She not only influenced their thinking but also published some of their earliest works. Her desire to foster a deeper connection among the newly minted Transcendentalists led them away from Emerson's individualism and towards a greater sense of community.
Middle sister Mary Peabody was a passionate reformer whose soul mate was the esteemed educator Horace Mann. Together, they championed educational reforms that transformed the American system. Mary's dedication to creating a better society shines through her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in the pursuit of social change.
The youngest sister, Sophia, was known for her exceptional talent as a painter. Her artistic prowess earned her admiration among the preeminent society artists of the day. Her marriage to the renowned Nathaniel Hawthorne, however, brought unexpected challenges and disrupted the delicate dynamics among the sisters.
With over twenty years of meticulous research, Megan Marshall's monumental biography unveils previously unknown letters and unearths unmined original sources. "The Peabody Sisters" sheds new light on an iconic era in American history and showcases the indelible mark these remarkable women left behind.
Immerse yourself in this grand story, where male and female minds and sensibilities intersected in a free and fruitful communion. Witness the extraordinary creativity and intellectual exchange that thrived during the American Romanticism period. Don't miss out on this enchanting journey through history.
Experience the captivating legacy of the Peabody Sisters today. Get your copy of "The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism" and delve into the lives of these trailblazing women who shaped the course of American literature and thought.
Click here to order your copy now.
Discover More Best Sellers in Regional U.S.
Shop Regional U.S.
Storm Stories - Hurricane Ian: Stories of Survival, Heroism, and Humanity
$3.99
Regional U.S. - Storm Stories - Hurricane Ian: Stories of Survival, Heroism, and Humanity
A Grateful People: An Historical Account of the Founding of a Community
$16.63
Regional U.S. - A Grateful People: An Historical Account of the Founding of a Community
$24.99
Regional U.S. - Michigan City Beach Communities: Sheridan, Long Beach, Duneland, Michiana Shores (IN) (Images of America)
While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement
$12.95
Regional U.S. - While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement
