Deborah Rudacille

Dense with information and completely fascinating. I loved reading about the different scientific approaches towards variances in gender & sexuality over the years, and how these influenced and were influenced by contemporary social movements. I appreciated Rudacille's tact when it came to subjects like social constructivism and biological determinism. She very clearly understands the need for a nuanced approach to LGBT (particularly trans) issues, especially given the ease with which research can be exaggerated or reduced by political groups in order to create an inaccurate--and therefore harmful-- social narrative.… (mehr)

This fantastic history of the steel industry in Baltimore is in large part told as oral history, told by people which the author encountered in union meetings, bars, and--since she grew up there and her family worked at Bethlehem--from her own friends and family. I have to admit that I picked up the book because I read a blurb by David Simon, author of "The Corner" and "Homicide," and writer/producer of my favorite television show "The Wire." I couldn't be happier to have serendipitously discovered "The Roots of Steel," because I thoroughly enjoyed Rudacille's portrait of life in a steel town--from the creation of a company city, to the extreme period of growth and prosperity, through to the collapse of Bethlehem and the near-total destruction of the union.… (mehr)