Angels in the Machinery

Angels in the Machinery offers a sweeping analysis of the importance of gender to American politics from the days of the Whigs to the early twentieth century. Author Rebecca Edwards shows how relations of power within the family have been a fundamental campaign issues for 150 years. She explores the connections between gender and other political factors such as race, class, and regional loyalties.

Using cartoons, speeches, party platforms, news accounts, and campaign memorabilia, Angels in the Machinery offers a compelling explanation of why family values, women's political activities, and even candidates' sex lives remain hot-button issues in politics to this day.