Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Three-Hundredth Anniversary University Professor Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Presents the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife in Maine during the eighteenth century, by drawing on the detailed diary she kept for twenty-seven years of her life

The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

A Midwife's Tale

Jeni Enjaian

I knew this book would be a good one since it was recommended by one of my favorite history professors. She knows what she's talking about. :)

In general, I thought that Ulrich did an excellent job weaving together the primary source (Martha's journal) with her explanation and exposition which was also excellent.

Ulrich took a seemingly mundane primary source and used it to explore the culture surrounding and influencing the author, Martha Ballard. This book tells the story of society as well as the Ballard family. Ulrich does so without rampant (or any for that matter) speculation.

I highly recommend this book.

(Also...I really need to do some work on my review writing. It's been too long since I've written reviews of academic work.)

A Midwife's Tale The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812