Roses and Radicals

The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote

By: Susan Zimet, Todd Hasak-Lowy

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting story of the brave and passionate women (and men) who risked everything to gain the women's right to vote and change history in America.

"Women's rights are human rights." The words are relevant today, but they could just as easily have been used by Elizabeth Cady Stanton at Seneca Falls in 1848. Or Susan B. Anthony when she was arrested for voting in 1872. Or Alice Paul when she was imprisoned and tortured for peacefully protesting outside of the White House in 1917.

The story of women's suffrage is epic. For over 70 years, heroic women risked their lives for the cause knowing they likely wouldn't live to cast a vote. At a time when sexism was inherent in daily life, these women (and a few men) created a movement and fought for it passionately until the vote on the 19th amendment was finally called in 1920. It passed by a single vote. This under-explored history resonates now more than ever, and will remind listeners that ordinary citizens and peaceful protest can affect lasting change in this country.

©2018 Susan Zimet (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Narrator Cassandra Campbell reflects the tension and emotion in this excellent and accessible young adult history of the Women's Suffrage movement.... The passion in her delivery brings historical figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul to life... Campbell's pacing puts listeners on the edge of their seats. An engaging pick for budding activists of any stripe." (AudioFile)

"My mother said, 'Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.' Roses and Radicals is a must read about the history of the suffragist movement in America - the oppression of women - and the good, the bad, and the ugly relating to their struggle for the right to vote. It is not just a book for women, but for everyone, especially future generations because when we don't know our history, we may sadly repeat it." (Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO, The King Center, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King)

"From Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Alice Paul and every crucial suffragist in between, Susan Zimet's Roses and Radicals offers a comprehensive and compelling account of a truly collective victory more than seventy years in the making. Zimet unpacks all of the intricacies of the suffrage movement, never shying away from its flaws, turbulent partnerships, and differing dogmas. For those tempted to label it an important book for young girls, think more broadly; it is an important book for all of us." (Tanya Lee Stone, Sibert Medalist and NAACP Image Award-winning author of, most recently, Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time)

I Never Learned This in School

Amazing story, nobody ever told me Susan B. Anthony was such a bada$$. Now I know why they wanted to put her on our dollar coin. This book doesn't pull any punches either. It's crazy how Tennessee of all places was the 36th state to ratify the right for women to vote. And in Tennessee it all came down to one guy whose mom told him to vote to pass the law. So it basically all came down to one mom somewhere. Why is this not taught in schools?

Captivating history that all woman should read!

I wanted to learn more about the sacrifices made of the woman who came before me to give me the right to vote. This was beautifully written and narrated. I highly recommend it for every American interested in our precious freedom to vote. This, especially at a time when our country has experienced voter suppression among some minority voters.