A Dangerous Woman By Michael and Barbara Foster Book Review

A Dangerous Woman

Ever since I have graduated from college I have thoroughly enjoyed reading for pleasure.  After textbook after textbook for years on end, I am finally able to choose what I enjoy and love to get lost in a good book.  In the last 4.5 years I have had 2 children and my leisure time to read has been cut back but I still make a little time for me at night to read before bed.  I don’t have a specific type of book I read, I just look for interesting books that I think I would enjoy.  I have read biography, fantasy, crime, romance, drama, self-help, chick lit…you name it!  I was offered the opportunity to read and review A Dangerous Woman by Michael and Barbara Foster, preparing to go on a beach vacation at the time it was great timing!  Only problem was, 2 kids on the beach…sand, water = no reading for mommy!  But I did manage to read a little bit each night about Adah Isaacs Menken and boy was it entertaining!

Interesting Victorian Era Facts

I have to say I wasn’t so sure how interesting Victorian Era facts would be but I was blown away at the life Adah Isaacs Menken lived.  She certainly lived life to the fullest in her 33 years on earth.  She had a rocky start being born in New Orleans, her mother a women of color and her father’s identity in question. She grew up in Texas where she was like a cowboy riding and shooting with the best of them.  She was married 5 times, had countless lovers, had one child (who died as an infant) and seemed to literally be a jack of all trades.  She was an actor, poet, performer, model, singer, dancer, comic and gambler (dressed as a man).  For her era, she did things that were unheard of and she did suffer consequences for her actions.  She was friendly with the likes of Walt Whitman, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow performing in New York, San Francisco, London and Paris.  I would compare her to a modern day Madonna.  The authors kept me interested at every turn and kept me wondering what she did next and I was in absolute awe.  When I think of the Victorian time I don’t think sex, scandal and multiple marriages…I think of frumpy women in billowing dresses catering to their one and only husband.  This was a great read and I really enjoyed reading about Adah–America’s Original Superstar 1835-1868.  You can purchase this book on Amazon.