The Queen of the Platform, a fictional account of the life of suffragist and abolitionist Ernestine Rose. Set in the 19th century this is about a female suffragist and abolitionist I knew nothing about. She led an exceptional life for those times when women hardly had a say in the lives they lived. Amazing research and writing, I highly recommend this book. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ernestine is a great heroine in this unforgettable time in history. This is a very educational, but fun, book for those looking to learn about the history of women's rights.

Susan Higginbotham’s beautifully crafted biographical narrative is based on the life of Ernestine Rose, written in first person diary-like format, and delving deep inside this pioneering woman’s heart and mind. Ernestine was a free-thinking, divorced, Polish-Jewish atheist, a ceaseless advocate for woman’s rights, an abolitionist, and a feminist long before we coined the term. The novel is a loudly ringing endorsement of the determination of one woman, way ahead of her time, (more well-known in the 1850s than her contemporaries Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton), without whose bravery women today would not have the rights and autonomy they have. It need not be said that Ernestine faced her fair share of opposition in her unwavering support for universal suffrage in America.

It is noteworthy that Ernestine was adored by her husband, silversmith William Rose, who placed no restrictions on her in terms of her philosophies, her speeches or her extensive travel and absences. As an avid reader of historical fiction, I was gratified by the author’s determination to utilise the language of the day (woman’s, not women’s rights; black not Black) rather than suiting her phraseology to contemporary thinking. An excellent timely novel. Bravo! More please.

One of the best books I've read, about one of the most interesting women ever! Ernestine Rose was a fearless, tireless advocate for the rights of women, including universal suffrage, and rights of immigrants. Born into a Polish Jewish family, Ernestine rejects the man her father has arranged for her to be married to, leading to a lawsuit against her. Ernestine does her research and represents herself, winning the case. She ultimately marries for love, but the marriage goes south and she divorces her husband (it was much simpler and more accepted than would be expected for the time and place. Ernestine begins a career as a speaker on human rights and women's rights, and while living in London meets William, 6 years her junior. They start as friends and become lovers, ultimately marrying, and William goes with Ernestine to America.

The platform in the title refers to the platform Ernestine develops for her tireless advocacy for women and the underserved. What an amazing person she was, and how enormous her impact! Susan Higginbotham does a fabulous job bringing this amazing woman to life; her painstaking research and passion for her subject are clear. Don't miss this wonderful 10 star read!

Honestly, before reading this book I had never heard of its protagonist, a Jewish woman who played quite a prominent role in the fight for human rights in the United States. Meet Ernestine Rose (1810-1892). Born the daughter of a Rabbi in Poland, Rose was highly educated, which was uncommon for women of her era. She traveled, spending time in Belgium, France, and England before moving with her husband to the U.S.

Once there, Rose becomes a prominent public speaker supporting women's rights, suffrage, and abolition. Along the way, meeting many of the heavy thinkers and activists of her day: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, William Lloyd Garrison, and Fredrick Douglass. Most of whom show up in this novel.

Things don't always go well for Rose. At this time, it's not generally considered proper for a woman to do public speaking of any kind. Women's rights and anti-slavery work aren't universally popular in the mid 19th century, especially in the Southern states. Plus, Rose proclaims herself an atheist in a country that's overtly Christian. So, she sees her share of name-calling, anti-semitism, prejudice, and hostility.

In THE QUEEN OF THE PLATFORM: A NOVEL OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST ERNESTINE ROSE author Susan Higginbotham recounts Rose's entire life, which I found quite interesting. Especially not having heard of her before this book. In fact, I often find historical fiction the most enjoyable when it helps me learn about someone new. I also appreciated this portrait of American life in the mid 1800s, especially the years leading up to the American Civil War (1861-65).

I did begin to find, about midway though, that some of the details around Rose's countless speaking engagements (at times long passages from her talks are quoted), her conflicts with peers, and travels around the country slowed the book down a bit. But not enough to keep me from finishing.

This book is a good way to learn more about this country's early feminists but what I found most interesting was reading about how the abolition movement became separated from the feminist movement, even though both are closely linked to human rights and freedom.

Thank you to Susan Higginbotham for introducing me to an important woman, abolitionist and suffragette. I felt like I could have known her in real life. She had more courage in her little finger than most people today. And thank you to Ernestine Rose for paving the way for any rights we enjoy today.
I received an ARC from netgalley.