Amy Greenberg is a leading scholar of Manifest Destiny and American empire. Her work examines how historical narratives are constructed and how they shape our understanding of the past and present. Through detailed analysis and insightful prose, she explores the complex interplay of power, ideology, and identity within American history.
The urban volunteer fire department played a crucial role in the social fabric of 19th-century cities, a fact often overlooked by historians. Amy Greenberg explores this institution through the fire departments of Baltimore, St. Louis, and San Francisco, revealing their diverse membership that included merchants, immigrants, and native-born citizens. Rather than focusing on class, the book highlights how these fire companies fostered a masculine culture of camaraderie, competition, and civic virtue, offering men a sense of identity and community amidst urban challenges.
The little-known story of remarkable First Lady Sarah Polk—a brilliant master of the art of high politics and a crucial but unrecognized figure in the history of American feminism. While the Women’s Rights convention was taking place at Seneca Falls in 1848, First Lady Sarah Childress Polk was wielding influence unprecedented for a woman in Washington, D.C. Yet, while history remembers the women of the convention, it has all but forgotten Sarah Polk. Now, in her riveting biography, Amy S. Greenberg brings Sarah’s story into vivid focus. We see Sarah as the daughter of a frontiersman who raised her to discuss politics and business with men; we see the savvy and charm she brandished in order to help her brilliant but unlikeable husband, James K. Polk, ascend to the White House. We watch as she exercises truly extraordinary power as First Lady: quietly manipulating elected officials, shaping foreign policy, and directing a campaign in support of America’s expansionist war against Mexico. And we meet many of the enslaved men and women whose difficult labor made Sarah’s political success possible. Sarah Polk’s life spanned nearly the entirety of the nineteenth-century. But her own legacy, which profoundly transformed the South, continues to endure. Comprehensive, nuanced, and brimming with invaluable insight, Lady First is a revelation of our twelfth First Lady’s complex but essential part in American feminism.
The book features a comprehensive table of contents that outlines its structure and key topics. Each section is meticulously organized, providing readers with a clear roadmap to navigate the material. This structured approach enhances accessibility and allows for easy reference, making it a valuable resource for both study and quick consultation. The content is designed to engage readers and facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
