I Could Not Do Otherwise: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

 How did I not know about Dr. Mary Walker? 

Sara Latta’s “I Could Not Do Otherwise” demonstrates that Walker was a consequential figure in the early fight for women’s suffrage. She was at the forefront of women’s dress reform. She spoke extensively on both subjects. She served during the Civil War. She had access to the movers and shakers of the federal government for decades. Mary Walker did not compromise on her values and made enemies along the way. In short, her story is a fascinating example of someone who has nearly been erased from history.

The narrative of Mary Walker’s life smoothly flows throughout this book targeted to middle grade and teen readers. Latta provides some support for unfamiliar vocabulary terms and there are ample, clearly marked asides to help put Walker’s story in the context of her time. An extensive bibliography is provided for those who might wish to learn more about Mary Walker.

This telling of Dr. Mary Walker’s life is thorough and engaging. The reader learns about both her public and private life, including her quest to improve life for women, the poor, and veterans. I appreciate that the book does not sugar-coat aspects of Walker’s personality that made her difficult for others to deal with and, at the same time, dogged in pursuit of her causes.

I would recommend this book to teens and plan to get a physical copy for my classroom. This book is particularly good for teens who don’t conform to typical social norms.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ZestBooks for a copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.