“Crossing Swords is a terrific book—a fine blend of excellent writing and superior research. Safronoff’s twined intellectual biographies of Mary Baker Eddy and Victoria Claflin Woodhull brings two very different women together, between the covers of one book. So very different and yet so alike, they cross swords in this masterful account.”
–DR. LORRAINE MCCONAGHY, Public Historian, Seattle
“Crossing Swords tells the intertwined tales of Victoria Woodhull and Mary Baker Eddy – two fearless American iconoclasts whose work on sex, love, and women’s rights changed the course of American culture. Cindy Peyser Safronoff does a great job of bringing these fascinating women back to life in all of their brilliance and eccentricity for a new generation of readers.”
–DEBBY APPLEGATE, Pulitzer Prize winner for The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher
“Crossing Swords is a fascinating look at two Victorian woman leaders in the female cultural war of their day. Mary Baker Eddy, the famed founder of Christian Science, battled Free Love while flamboyant Victoria Woodhull championed it. Safronoff deserves our praise for a well-crafted biography about two riveting opposites, who both fought fiercely for their avante garde rights, no matter how far apart, and never gave up.”
–MYRA MACPHERSON, author of The Scarlet Sisters: Sex, Suffrage, and Scandal in the Gilded Age
“A remarkably even-handed exploration of the little-known debates — and occasional ironic convergences — between two charismatic 19th century women whose support for women’s rights was attached to very different views about marriage and sexuality.”
–STEPHANIE COONTZ, author of Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage
“Crossing Swords is a fascinating analysis of a very modern–day theme: marriage vs. “free love” and the role of women in society. Ms. Safronoff has unearthed a gem of a story that still resonates today!”
–SUZANNE VENKER, author of The Two-Income Trap: Why Parents are Choosing to Stay Home
“This would be a great seminar book for a women’s studies program or comparative religion course. It would make for some good discussions on a lot of interesting topics!”
– SHANNON MCDERMOTT WELLS, Chairman, Richardson Interfaith Alliance
“To say that Safronoff has done her homework is an understatement; the book is extremely well researched and documented… Crossing Swords has broad-spectrum appeal because Cindy Peyser Safronoff writes intelligently without being overly academic; however, scholars will find much to ponder and appreciate. Anyone interested in the suffragist and women’s rights movements will enjoy the historical element, but the personal lives of Eddy and Woodhull are what make this book most enjoyable, thought provoking, and illuminating.”
–KRISTINE HALL, Reader Views
“Crossing Swords gives the reader insight into the lives of two important 19th century American women who were ahead of their time. … Those who enjoy reading books on 19th century American history, modern religious movements, or women’s studies will really enjoy reading this book.”
–LISA COVINGTON, Manhattan Book Review
“How the opposing philosophies, the puritanical background of Mary and the unconcerned outlook of Victoria, played together in molding the American view of women in society comes alive in these pages. …the vision of enlightened womanhood as it existed then is presented here, in clear and concise terms, with special attention in giving equal due to the almost opposing views of both the pioneers.”
–ROY T. JAMES, Readers’ Favorite
“Crossing Swords and the Battle for the Soul of Marriage is a fascinating book on many different levels. It explores the state of religion in 19th century America, and the reader is bound to learn new things. … I was fascinated to read of the feud between Victoria and Mary Baker Eddy…. The force and power of each of these women’s personalities defies common perceptions of subdued …women of the 19th century. The essence of their fight shows that the roots of the disagreement on the permanence of marriage run far deeper than most people nowadays are aware. I thought this book completely wonderful and I stand in awe of the author’s enormous and careful research.”
–JUDGE, 24th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
“The basic battle lines are clear between “puritan” (Eddy) and “free love” (Woodhull) views of marriage. I learned a lot about both women. …I think there’s a possible movie in here.”
– LLOYD SLOAN of The Sloan Ranger Show (WGNU, 2001-2007)
“Crossing Swords is deeply thought provoking. I felt like I was a bystander witnessing history happening. It invoked great compassion and respect for each of the women as they struggled to actualize their visions for mankind. Thank you for the tremendous amount of love and labor you have put into this gift!”
– SANFORD C. WILDER, author of Listening to Grace: Unlearning Insights and Poems
“Cindy Peyser Safronoff has given us an excellent window into a 19th century culture war that is expertly explored in her work Crossing Swords. Many might think the challenges to marriage began in the 1960s. How startling, and helpful, to see their origins a century earlier. Safronoff has dived deep and broad into both sides of the issues she engages, and she has done so with an objectivity that frees the reader from having to sort the author’s predisposition at every turn. As a decades-long marriage educator, this work was illuminating to me of issues with which we are still wrestling in the 21st century.”
– RICHARD DAVENPORT, Higher Ground
“Crossing Swords is a worthwhile book for all who are wondering about the place of marriage today. You have uncovered the historical roots of free love and contrasted it with one who taught the highest moral standard of that age. Bravo!”
– GEORGE DENNINGER, author of Revelation: The Prophecy and Fulfillment of Man