Book Review: The Maid and the Socialite - Lynda Drews

 

“The Maid and the Socialite” is a non-fiction book by Lynda Drews. Per the author, originally this book was going to be about Dr. John R. Minahan, who was a celebrated Green Bay, Wisconsin doctor. He had a flourishing business and good family connections. However, as Ms. Drews dug into historical records, she found that Dr. Minahan had a dark side. He was sued by a maid and also his second wife for physical violence. How could such a celebrated doctor have managed to erase those trials? Dr. Minahan didn’t - but over time the information has been buried - and Ms. Drews has brought it back to light. I found this book very well researched - and the inclusion of photos helped. This wasn’t an enjoyable book, but any book regarding someone being lied to and, essentially, slandered by someone in power is never easy to read. This book mainly takes place in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when times were very different and women - especially married women - had few rights, even over their own money. Four stars.