From Plymouth to Parliament: A Rhetorical History of Nancy Astor's 1919 Campaign Book

Nancy Astor, the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons, has been a fascinating subject for most of the twentieth century. Recognized for her efforts on behalf of women, remembered for her witty exchanges with Winston Churchill, and criticized for Fascist leanings, she was also a campaigner par excellence--winning seven consecutive elections in twenty-five years. Offering insights from a rhetorical perspective, From Plymouth to Parliament is the first in-depth exploration of Astor’s initial parliamentary campaign in 1919. Karen Musolf reveals how Astor surmounted obstacles in creating an acceptable persona, gathering women voters, confronting opponents, chastising hecklers, and coping with an unruly press, no small obstacles for an American divorcée who married into the prominent Astor family. Musolf draws upon primary sources from the Astor archives and focuses on the dynamic interplay of voices heard throughout the campaign. From Plymouth to Parliament is a highly readable, engaging work that tells the story of the pathbreaking campaign that launched the career of one of the most popular politicians of our century.Read More