Laurie Lisle

Westover: Giving Girls a Place of Their Own
Wesleyan University Press, 2009

Reviews

"The story of Westover is an engagingly one charmingly told, and it gives a good overview of the shifting notions of what makes a well-educated woman throughout the twentieth century...well-researched and beautifully designed...pick it up if you're interested in the history of American education and possibly its future." Catherine Nicotera, Feminist Review, Nov. 21, 2009

"In spirit and in breadth, Westover is a fascinating lens into the lives of groundbreaking women whose thoughts on how women should be educated remain captivating--and contentious."
Tracey O'Shaughnessy, The Republican-American, March 17, 2009

...a "remarkable book"...
Kathryn Boughton, The Litchfield County Times, April 16, 2009

"This visually stunning, beautifully written book combines diligent research, descriptive acumen, and an anecdotal style that vividly and unsparingly brings the people and places in the school's history to life...It is also a wonderfully interesting, at times humorous, work that merits a broad spectrum of readers."
Robert West Waddell, editor and Westover '52

"Laurie's engaging book not only chronicles the visionary women who built Westover but also makes clear our school's importance in the broader context of women's education--especially in modern times."
Ann Vileisis, author and Westover '85

"This book is a great read for anyone who is interested in the American history of girls' education from the early 20th century to the present. For someone who graduated from Westover, this book is a must. It is the story of the school and the tale of the enormous dedication and effort of the women and men who made it happen. Tragedy, glory and a great future make this book hard to put down."
Eunice Groark, former Connecticut Lieutenant Governor and Westover '56

"A wonderful historical snapshot of a school with strong roots and strong women with energy, intellect, and a deep commitment to the education of girls. Westover's leadership remains true to its values and keeps pace with change."
Meg Milne Moulton, National Coalition of Girls' Schools

"As a college freshman in the early 1950s, I sang in Red Hall (and have a vivid memory of the elegance of the acoustics, the architecture, and the audience) and have watched Westover march, stagger, and dance its way through almost six decades. This book is a depiction of the journey of a noble school with an unusual sense of its mission."
Donald E. Werner, The Headmasters Association