Jessica Spring

This lovely book is one that could easily be read in one sitting but I took my time and savoured it. In theme, it is reminiscent of Brazen - Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World. But this is not actually a graphic novel. It is more a blending of art and history. The co-authors are a printmaker/letterpress artist, and an illustrator/letterer, both with backgrounds in graphic arts. This book started off as a project to create a poster in the style of the old-fashioned broadside, before Obama's show more first election, to throw their support behind him. Recognizing that whatever the election outcome, history was going to be made, they chose icon Elizabeth Cady Stanton for their first broadside.

There are 8 chapters in this book, each chapter profiling 3 dead feminists. The style of presentation unfolds over 6 pages. First, a few pages of biographical info, often with a photograph (if any were available in archives), and often including reprints of photos, documents or ephemera. The final 2 pages show the finished Broadside, and the opposite page highlights the quote being printed, and 6 *closer looks* at the broadside itself and the process of creating it. After much positive response to the first few in this project, the co-authors decided to donate part of their profits to local foundations that support women's good works and also, to turn the broadsides into a book. And, they also created a foundation, themselves: http://www.deadfeminsits.com.

Some of the women profiled in this book include (apart from Stanton) Rachel Carson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Virginia Woolf (her broadside is my favourite, I think), Marie Curie, Jane Mecom (did you know that she was Benjamin Franklin's sister? I didn't!), Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Sappho.

I can't tell you how lovely this book is. Visually, artistically, intellectually, historically, it's just beautiful. After looking at the website this morning, I ordered a pack of 10 postcards. Some I may send, some I will keep, maybe frame show less

I am finding great comfort and inspiration in this book, Dead Feminists, as I read about women who fought for things, who accomplished things, who were thoughtful and vibrant and ferocious. I am equally delighted that the book is by two of my printing friends, Jessica Spring and Chandler O'Leary, and is all about letterpress as well. It's a thing of beauty, and of voice.

Also, a remarkably accessible and interesting history book.

A beautifully illustrated book on important women from the past and near present that are often overlooked in the usual courses of standard instruction and everyday media. While the descriptions for each person are relatively short, there are several very obscure heroines that were brought back into the spotlight by these authors that would inspire any reader to try to find out more about them on their own.

This is an amazing book. It is difficult to describe adequately what the experience is of holding this book in your hands and turning the pages. The folks who put this together have a background in graphic design, but not your everyday advertising kind of design. The book is an intense labor of love which provides a compact study of a long litany of outstanding women throughout history. For each woman, the study includes design elements which result in a broadside art piece which, on a show more single page, attempts to honor the work of the particular woman. Each broadside has details provided as to the choices made. But more importantly, for each one, the book provides a description of the human rights focus for that woman, a printing count which mirrors some element in the woman's life and work, and tells the reader which related charity has been given the profits received from the print of each broadside. You really have to see this book! It is a work of history, art, and commitment to human rights. show less