TITLE: How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle: Reflections of an Influential 19th Century Woman Author(s): Frances E. Willard Pages: 104 5" x 7" pages, illustrations, photos Price: US$ 8.95 "She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life." - Frances E. Willard
In 1893, Frances Willard, at the age of 53, decided to take up bicycling when her doctor advised her to get more outdoor exercise. As a social reformer, she was president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and an advocate of causes such as temperance, women's suffrage, the eight hour workday, & public kindergarten. She encouraged women to learn to ride the bicycle: "It is just as good company as most husbands, and, when it gets old & shabby, a woman can dispose of it & get a new one without shocking the entire community". Most of the text comes Frances E. Willard's "A Wheel Within a Wheel", published in 1895. A biogrphical sketch of Ms. Willard has been added, along with an essay on women & cycling in the 1800's. Many folks of that period believed women & cycling were a bad mixture. One writer believed the "unfettered liberty" of bicycling would "intixicate" women to immoral acts.
"... charming & disarming memoir" - Los Angeles Times
"... delightful, uplifting, & unique bit of history" - Booklist
TITLE: On Your Bicycle: The Illustrated History of Cycling Author(s): McGurn Pages: 208 pages, color & b/w photos Price: US$ 27.00 A social history of the bicycle, written from an international perspective. Describes the bicycle's roller coaster popularity. Sometimes a sad, neglected toy while other times the darling of the age. The bicycle did more for morals & manners than almost any other invention. This richly illustrated book takes a lively look at its ups & downs.
