How have the social, political, and economic roles of women shaped the trajectory of American history from the colonial era to the present? Linda K. Kerber, a prominent historian of American women, compiles a comprehensive collection of primary source documents and scholarly articles to examine the evolution of gender roles. The text utilizes a chronological and thematic framework to illustrate how women have influenced and been influenced by the shifting landscape of American society, law, and culture.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational anthology for students and researchers of American women's history. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the breadth of the primary source material provided.