"Backed by Mark Twain's publisher, she drew on the vernacular humor tradition to create a sympathetic comic woman who hid behind the deliberately self-effacing mask of 'Josiah Allen's Wife.' In 21 books between 1873 and 1914, she turned her pragmatic gaze on sex, race, religion, politics, foreign policy, and genteel values; she propagandized for votes, temperance, and feminism." - Library Journal "Excellently researched and well written. Marietta Holley has at last a chance of regaining her place in a tradition she helped to create."" - Modern Fiction Studies.