THE AGITATORS by Dorothy Wickenden (Nothing Daunted) is about "three friends who fought for abolition and women's rights." Readers may be familiar with stories about Harriet Tubman, a famous underground railroad conductor, but are likely less well-versed about Martha Coffin Wright, a Quaker (and sister to Lucretia Mott) who criticized Lincoln's position on slavery and organized women's rights conventions with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The third member of the trio is Frances Seward; as the wife of Governor, then Senator, and then Secretary of State William H. Seward, her influence was often largest behind the scenes. The three friends lived in Auburn, New York and Wickenden traces their efforts from the 1820s onward through 1875 in a detail-filled text. Her afterward, extensive notes, and selected bibliography together comprise at least a fourth of the book. THE AGITATORS received starred reviews from Library Journal ("Filling a gap in the telling of women's and abolitionist history, this highly readable book gives these three women their due.") and Publishers Weekly ("an essential addition to the history of American progressivism").

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. Very well researched and very well written I highly recommend

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this title, but my reading interests have changed. I will not be finishing this book, but look forward to others in the future.

This is a meticulously researched book! I am always amazed by Harriet Tubman, no matter how many books I read about her, but it was very interesting to read about Wright and Seward, who maybe don't get as much spotlight. Super interesting.

another great bock by the author of one of my favs! This told the story of the women behind the suffragette movement, bringing them to life.

The author wrote this non-fiction book so well I really enjoyed learning about these three women especially more about Harriet Tubman. Wickenden really got into her characters heads I learned so much!

The only thing that would've made this book better is if it had been published on International Women's Day. I had no clue the connections between so many powerful ladies and it just healed my heart to know that amongst the worst time in our nation's history, there was light in the eyes of these pioneers and patriots. I can't thank the publisher enough for allowing me to read an ARC. Excellent writing and exceptional research.

The Agitators by Dorothy Wickenden is an excellent nonfiction that weaves together the stories of three friends or “Auburn agitators”: Frances Seward, Harriet Tubman, and Martha Wright. This was an excellent book!

I loved learning more about Frances, Martha, and Harriet and their quests for not only personal accomplishments, survival, and concern, but also for their selfless devotion to abolition and to advance women’s rights.

I learned so much more about their involvement and additions to the advancement of these causes, their involvement with the Underground Railroad, and also more about the societal problems and political atmosphere during the 1840s-1910s.

I loved the addition of a few other famous advocates: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony (National Woman Suffrage Association) , Lucy Stone, Fredrick Douglass, Lucretia Mott, and many others. I had no idea how intertwined all of these figures were.

I have to say my favorite aspect was learning even more about Harriet Tubman. She is truly one of the most amazing women in modern history. I am stunned with each new thing I learn about her. I loved it!

This book is well-written, well-paced, and thoroughly researched. It is clear the author did her due diligence in all of her listed sources. What she was able to create was a book that is breathtaking and unforgettable. I have already purchased this as a preorder and will recommend this to everyone I know.

Well done! 5/5 stars

Thank you to the Author and Scribner for this stunning ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, Bookbub, Amazon, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/5/21 per publisher preference.