Amy Stuart, GIRL WAITS WITH GUN

This story takes place at the beginning of the twentieth century when Paterson, New Jersey was dominated by a handful of families who owned the silk mills, a primary source of employment.  Based on a true story, Stuart gives us a fictionalized account of what happens when the scion of one of these families runs his automobile into the carriage of the Kopp sisters.  Refusing to pay for damages, he embarks on a campaign of intimidation against the sisters, not realizing what a formidable trio he is attacking led by Constance Kopp.

This is a story of the underdog standing up to the powerful, and it also shows the slowly growing strength of the labor and women’s movements.  A skillfully written book with strong characters, it is well worth reading.