Gail Collins Bücher

From Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton, Scorpion Tongues is a popular history of gossip in American politics. Complete with wickedly delightful anecdotes of major and minor politicians and entertainers over the last 200 years, Gail Collins examines the evolving relationship between politicians and the press and the blurring of the lines between politicians and celebrities. Supported by extensive research and written with an entertaining flair, she speculates on how gossip reflects the current moral compass of the time, noting how a rumor, like an unpredictable summer tornado, can flatten one reputation while a similar story passes over another with hardly a rustle. "Hilariously readable" (The Economist), Scorpion Tongues offers sinful scandals and mild hearsay for every taste.

Gail Collins, a New York Times columnist and bestselling author, explores the remarkable transformation in women's lives over the past 50 years with her signature wit and straightforward style. Beginning in 1960, when American women needed their husbands' permission to apply for credit cards, and concluding in 2008 with Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, this narrative captures a period of profound change that reshaped expectations for women in just a generation. Through a blend of oral history and meticulous research, Collins covers a wide array of topics, including politics, fashion, popular culture, economics, sex, families, and work, making this a comprehensive account of five pivotal decades of progress. Key milestones include the introduction of the birth control pill, the elimination of gender-specific job ads, and the removal of quotas for women in medical and law school admissions. Collins highlights the experiences of those who made history and those who navigated these changes in everyday life. Building on her previous work, this engaging account offers a fresh perspective for both older readers, who may be reminded of a very different past, and younger readers, who will gain new insights into their history. The era is depicted as one filled with both dramatic challenges and extraordinary achievements.