"An overdue biography of an influential suffragist, pacifist, and civil libertarian. Aronson leaves no doubt that Eastman was an inspiring figure who deserves the renewed attention that the book should bring." - Kirkus "In Crystal Eastman: A Revolutionary Life, Amy Aronson has given us the great gift of a best friend we didn't know. Feminist, journalist, lawyer, friend of workers and enemy of militarists, Crystal Eastman may have been born a century too soon, but she is re-born now just when we need her most." - Gloria Steinem "Eastman's work and its challenges feel sharply relevant to today's changing world, and this engaging and careful biography will appeal to activists and students of history alike." - Booklist "Crystal Eastman, founding mother of the ACLU, also played a starring role in early twentieth century battles for women's suffrage and equality, pacifism, internationalism, laborers' rights and safety, socialism, and economic equality. She founded and ran multiple influential organizations, often simultaneously, and was viewed by her contemporaries as personally and professionally stunning. But until Amy Aronson's meticulously researched and masterful biography, only glimpses of Eastman's life and work were publicly available.
Aronson's perceptive and sympathetic portrait finally enables us to see the magnitude of this enchanting revolutionary who - due to her gender - was practically erased by history for many decades. At a time when we are being pressured to reduce ourselves to stereotypes and sound bites, Aronson offers us a role model of a woman who refused to be pigeonholed and who insisted on living as well as fighting for her principles." - Susan Herman, president, ACLU "Amy Aronson's thoroughly researched biography of pioneering visionary and activist Crystal Eastman is a splendid guide across the most urgent and ongoing issues of the 20th century. Feminist socialist pacifist, attorney journalist publisher, bridge builder and movement creator, Crystal Eastman's commitment to global understanding engendered the American Civil Liberties Union and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Everyone concerned about peace, freedom, women's rights and human rights will be fortified by this important work." - Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt (3 vols.) and editor, Crystal Eastman on Women & Revolution "This is the beautifully written and brilliantly incisive life story of one of the most influential and inspiring women in US history--whose name few people know. Thanks to Amy Aronson, Crystal Eastman now has the biography that she--and we--deserve.
" - Michael Kazin, author of War Against War: The American Fight for Peace, 1914-1918 and Professor of History, Georgetown University "Crystal Eastman once described herself as a 'militant idealist' who aspired to nothing less than 'global social justice.' Aronson's well researched, lucidly narrated, and highly engaging biography examines the life of this consummate activist who struggled to unite the personal and public aspects of her politics." - Mari Jo Buhle, William R. Kenan Jr. University Professor, Brown University "Aronson. focuses on Eastman's activism as a lens through which to illuminate cultural issues that resonate today. This meticulously researched book shines." - Library Journal "Crystal Eastman's life was, as Ms.
Aronson claims, revolutionary. Her passion sometimes worked against her, but a reader finishes this book feeling less sad for her than grateful to her biographer for capturing the whole of this noble, crazy, glorious life." - Wall Street Journal.