This book investigates how the historical exclusion of nineteenth-century American women poets from the literary canon occurred and how their work can be recovered. Alexandra Socarides, an associate professor of English, utilizes archival research and literary theory to challenge the traditional narratives that marginalized these writers. She argues that the structural limitations of literary history itself, rather than a lack of quality in the poetry, prevented these women from achieving lasting recognition.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the field of American literary history and gender studies. Experts note the academic rigor of the research and its effectiveness in re-evaluating the mechanisms of literary exclusion.