Laura F. Edwards Books

Laura Edwards is a historian whose work centers on women, gender, and law, with a particular focus on the nineteenth-century U.S. South. Her research uncovers the intricate relationships between societal norms and legal structures. Through her writing, she offers profound insights into the historical struggles and advancements in women's rights. Her expertise brings a valuable perspective to the shaping of modern understandings of gender and justice.

A Legal History of the Civil War and Reconstruction

Only the Clothes on Her Back
Clothing and the Hidden History of Power in the Nineteenth-Century United States
456 pages
16 hours of reading
Exploring the intersection of textiles and social justice, this book highlights how women, men of color, and impoverished individuals utilized clothing as a means of property. It examines how these textiles provided access to the legal system and empowered marginalized groups to assert their political rights, revealing the significant role of material culture in social movements.
A Legal History of the Civil War and Reconstruction
226 pages
8 hours of reading
Focusing on the legal and constitutional dimensions of the American Civil War, this book offers a clear and concise exploration of how these issues shaped the conflict. It delves into the critical legal debates and constitutional challenges that arose during this tumultuous period, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the war's impact on American law and governance.

Only the Clothes on Her Back

A Legal History of the Civil War and Reconstruction