“Todd’s resurrection of these courageous reporters is fascinating because the women and their stories are so vibrant. With acerbic wit, the author also makes a larger point. . . . It was the male muckrakers who are credited as the progenitors of gritty, detailed narratives told in the first person. Ms. Todd makes a good case that more credit is due to those early 'girl stunt reporters.'" — Wall Street Journal
"Todd has great affection for these women and celebrates their triumphs while placing them in historical context. And she argues trenchantly against long-accepted accounts of the origins of creative nonfiction, later to be known as New Journalism." — Air Mail
"These women came from a variety of backgrounds and were often drawn from the working class: journalism was their way out of having to be the factory girl or the maid they would pretend to be for stories. Today fewer journalists seek undercover scoops. Nor do editors hire reporters just for showing moxie, rather than a journalism-school diploma. More’s the pity." — The Spectator
"An impressive work of nonfiction....a sensational adventure." — Literary Hub
"With textured analysis and an instinct for salient details, Todd emulates her pioneering heroines to offer multidimensional examples of the revolutionary contributions women of this era made to journalism." — Booklist
“At the height of the turn-of-the century newspaper wars, these "girl reporters" did their work for the same reasons men did--a keen sense of social justice, along with a taste for adventure and writerly fame. Their gender (and the anonymity it provided) often gave them a leg up in reporting, drew in hordes of excited readers--and, of course, held back their careers and suppressed their pay. Sensational is an illuminating look at female pioneers working at a key moment in American journalism.” Liza Mundy, author of Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
"Todd’s comprehensive account rightly sheds light on the many women who changed the face of journalism and helped jump-start the newspaper industry. Her accessible writing draws in readers from the first page." — Library Journal
“An engaging and enlightening portrait of trailblazers who ‘challenged…views of what a woman should be.’” — Kirkus Reviews
"Todd casts a sprawling net, rescuing some of her profile subjects from obscurity and adding depth to the popular portrayals of others. This well-researched history makes clear the crucial role female reporters played in pioneering investigate journalism and boosting progressive reform movements." — Publishers Weekly
"Sensational is a gripping, flawlessly researched, and overdue portrait of America’s trailblazing female journalists. These daring, intrepid “girl reporters” defied incredible odds to both expose societal ills and entertain readers with their thrilling adventures—going, in many cases, where no man had gone before. In this important and immensely readable book, Kim Todd has restored these long-forgotten mavericks to their rightful place in American history." — Abbott Kahler, author (as Karen Abbott) of The Ghosts of Eden Park
“Kim Todd's spirited tour of Gilded Age "girl reporters" casts a welcome light on these trailblazing women determined to make their mark. The beam is even keener on American journalism shouldering its way toward our own media-drenched world. Nellie Bly, a heroine here, has never faded from cultural memory, but Todd presents a whole sisterhood of intrepid correspondents.” — Patricia Hampl, author of The Art of the Wasted Day and The Florist's Daughter
"Kim Todd’s awe-inspiring Sensational provides long-overdue recognition to a remarkable cadre of women journalists. Todd masterfully reconstructs the lives and work of these female pioneers of investigative reporting who went undercover at enormous personal risk to publish frontpage exposes of the brutal treatment of workers, patients, orphans, and other defenseless members of society. Now, thanks to Todd’s assiduous research and crisp writing, these courageous women will no longer be the hidden figures of journalism history." — James McGrath Morris, author of Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print, and Power
“In Todd’s able hands, we learn about these daring young women, about their lives and times, their work, their editors and mentors, their torments and loves, their interconnections, and, best of all, their real legacy. These young reporters demonstrated the power of personal narrative to rivet public attention on society’s seen and unseen ills and incite the quest for remedy--a tradition that endures today.” — Brooke Kroeger, author of Nellie Bly: Daredevil. Reporter. Feminist
"Sensational brings the stories and battles of Gilded Age newspaperwomen to gritty, effervescent life. The greatest achievements of undercover journalism—public health reforms, labor protections, and heightened awareness of our flawed criminal justice system—can be traced back to this fascinating group of writers, whose close-held dreams and professional compromises feel all too familiar today." — Stephanie Gorton, author of Citizen Reporters
"The perfect read for these crazy days. I was transfixed and inspired by the stories of women who dared to cross boundaries and report the truth. I plan to send copies to my mom, sisters, and brilliant female friends--Sensational, The Hidden History of America's Girl Stunt Reporters gave me hope and reminded me, as Todd writes, of 'life's rich possibility.' — Amanda Ward, author of The Jetsetters
Todd’s resurrection of these courageous reporters is fascinating because the women and their stories are so vibrant. With acerbic wit, the author also makes a larger point. . . . It was the male muckrakers who are credited as the progenitors of gritty, detailed narratives told in the first person. Ms. Todd makes a good case that more credit is due to those early 'girl stunt reporters.'"
At the height of the turn-of-the century newspaper wars, these "girl reporters" did their work for the same reasons men did—a keen sense of social justice, along with a taste for adventure and writerly fame. Their gender (and the anonymity it provided) often gave them a leg up in reporting, drew in hordes of excited readers—and, of course, held back their careers and suppressed their pay. Sensational is an illuminating look at female pioneers working at a key moment in American journalism.”
Kim Todd's spirited tour of Gilded Age "girl reporters" casts a welcome light on these trailblazing women determined to make their mark. The beam is even keener on American journalism shouldering its way toward our own media-drenched world. Nellie Bly, a heroine here, has never faded from cultural memory, but Todd presents a whole sisterhood of intrepid correspondents.”
"Kim Todd’s awe-inspiring Sensational provides long-overdue recognition to a remarkable cadre of women journalists. Todd masterfully reconstructs the lives and work of these female pioneers of investigative reporting who went undercover at enormous personal risk to publish frontpage exposes of the brutal treatment of workers, patients, orphans, and other defenseless members of society. Now, thanks to Todd’s assiduous research and crisp writing, these courageous women will no longer be the hidden figures of journalism history."
"Sensational is a gripping, flawlessly researched, and overdue portrait of America’s trailblazing female journalists. These daring, intrepid “girl reporters” defied incredible odds to both expose societal ills and entertain readers with their thrilling adventures—going, in many cases, where no man had gone before. In this important and immensely readable book, Kim Todd has restored these long-forgotten mavericks to their rightful place in American history."
In Todd’s able hands, we learn about these daring young women, about their lives and times, their work, their editors and mentors, their torments and loves, their interconnections, and, best of all, their real legacy. These young reporters demonstrated the power of personal narrative to rivet public attention on society’s seen and unseen ills and incite the quest for remedy—a tradition that endures today.”
"Sensational brings the stories and battles of Gilded Age newspaperwomen to gritty, effervescent life. The greatest achievements of undercover journalism—public health reforms, labor protections, and heightened awareness of our flawed criminal justice system—can be traced back to this fascinating group of writers, whose close-held dreams and professional compromises feel all too familiar today."
"An impressive work of nonfiction....a sensational adventure."
"The perfect read for these crazy days. I was transfixed and inspired by the stories of women who dared to cross boundaries and report the truth. I plan to send copies to my mom, sisters, and brilliant female friends—Sensational, The Hidden History of America's Girl Stunt Reporters gave me hope and reminded me, as Todd writes, of 'life's rich possibility.'
Sensational is cheekily dedicated to ‘the ink-stained Amazons’—an image that....evokes a league of Wonder Women slinging their lassos of truth….these women helped to invent modern investigative reporting—and shaped the trajectories of creative nonfiction and memoir, too…. [Todd] smartly dissects the allure of the girl-stunt genre, which ‘put a new female character in the headlines . . . not a victim of assault or murder—but a protagonist.’ For men, Todd claims, this character offered drama and the thrill of seeing power humiliated; for women, there was vicarious pleasure, a sense of vindication as the heroine fought institutions—judges, doctors, skeptical editors—and won.
Sensational is cheekily dedicated to ‘the ink-stained Amazons’—an image that....evokes a league of Wonder Women slinging their lassos of truth….these women helped to invent modern investigative reporting—and shaped the trajectories of creative nonfiction and memoir, too…. [Todd] smartly dissects the allure of the girl-stunt genre, which ‘put a new female character in the headlines . . . not a victim of assault or murder—but a protagonist.’ For men, Todd claims, this character offered drama and the thrill of seeing power humiliated; for women, there was vicarious pleasure, a sense of vindication as the heroine fought institutions—judges, doctors, skeptical editors—and won.
Todd’s resurrection of these courageous reporters is fascinating because the women and their stories are so vibrant. With acerbic wit, the author also makes a larger point....it was the male muckrakers who are credited as the progenitors of gritty, detailed narratives told in the first person. Ms. Todd makes a good case that more credit is due to those early 'girl stunt reporters.'"
"Todd has great affection for these women and celebrates their triumphs while placing them in historical context. And she argues trenchantly against long-accepted accounts of the origins of creative nonfiction, later to be known as New Journalism."
"These women came from a variety of backgrounds and were often drawn from the working class: journalism was their way out of having to be the factory girl or the maid they would pretend to be for stories. Today fewer journalists seek undercover scoops. Nor do editors hire reporters just for showing moxie, rather than a journalism-school diploma. More’s the pity."
"With textured analysis and an instinct for salient details, Todd emulates her pioneering heroines to offer multidimensional examples of the revolutionary contributions women of this era made to journalism."
"With textured analysis and an instinct for salient details, Todd emulates her pioneering heroines to offer multidimensional examples of the revolutionary contributions women of this era made to journalism."
"Todd uncovers a Greek tragedy of human heedlessness . . . [A] beautifully written natural history."
Praise for Tinkering With Eden "You really can't fool Mother Nature, as Kim Todd vividly shows in her fascinating, cautionary first book."
New York Times Book Review
"Todd uncovers a Greek tragedy of human heedlessness . . . [A] beautifully written natural history."
04/01/2021
In this latest book, Todd (Sparrow ) focuses on the history of stunt reporting and the remarkable careers of notable women journalists. Todd details several women, such as Nellie Bly and Ida B. Wells, who investigated and exposed political corruption and working conditions in factories. While the narrative is engaging throughout, Todd's writing shines when telling the stories of women who are often overlooked, such as Victoria Earle Matthews, born into slavery to an enslaved mother; the author recounts how Matthews became a writer and activist. Consideration is also given to the legacy of author and suffragist Elizabeth Jordan, who reported on the trial of Lizzie Borden. Drawing on a range of primary sources, including newsletter articles and photographs, Todd clearly relays how these varied women were able to spark change, and how they went on to write books or become activists themselves in the early 20th century. VERDICT Todd's comprehensive account rightly sheds light on the many women who changed the face of journalism and helped jump-start the newspaper industry. Her accessible writing draws in readers from the first page.—Rebecca Kluberdanz, Central New York Lib. Resources Council, Syracuse
2021-01-19
During the 1880s, notes environmental and science writer Todd, “girl stunt reporters” began going undercover to report on corruption and malfeasance in the U.S. Among these female reporters was Nellie Bly, who, in 1887, published the “Inside the Madhouse” series for the World , in which she faked insanity to expose conditions in a mental hospital in New York City. Bly’s writing “shook free of the ruffles and hoop skirts of Victorian prose,” and her “strong first-person point of view immersed readers in the narrator’s experience.” Across the country, other women took notice and entered the fray, exposing sweatshops, corrupt politicians, and other abuses of power. However, in 1888, when a young woman known only as “Girl Reporter” faked a pregnancy in order to write a series on abortion physicians for the Chicago Times , some felt she had pushed stunt reporting too far. In addition, “female writers began to wonder if assigning editors had their best interests at heart.” Before long, the author contends, stunt reporters fell out of favor, and the term “yellow journalism” became a popular way to describe stories deemed outrageous or sensational. Stunt reporting eventually faded away, but its impact would remain, reflected in the new journalism work of Joan Didion, George Plimpton, Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Wolfe, and others. “By writing these reporters back into history,” Todd writes, “I aim to highlight the double standard that labels women as ‘stunt reporters’ while men are ‘investigative journalists,’ even as they do the same work.” The author succeeds in resurrecting the indispensable contributions of Bly and others, weaving together an enjoyable chronicle of a specific element of the history of journalism. Like she did for Maria Sibylla Merian in Chrysalis (2007), Todd celebrates the contributions of her subjects while placing them within the appropriate historical context.
An engaging and enlightening portrait of trailblazers who “challenged…views of what a woman should be.
