What do you think?
Rate this book
Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York
Shocking revelations of a wife’s adultery explode in an incendiary nineteenth-century trial, exposing upper-crust New York society and its secrets. What could possibly go wrong in a wealthy matriarch’s country home when her dilettante son, his restless wife, and his widowed brother live there together? Strong Passions , rooted in the beguiling times of Edith Wharton’s “old New York,” recounts the true story of a tumultuous marriage. In 1862, Mary Strong stunned her husband, Peter, by confessing to a two-year affair with his brother. Peter sued Mary for divorce for adultery―the only grounds in New York―but not before she accused him of forcing her into an abortion and having his own affair with the abortionist. She then kidnapped their young daughter and disappeared. The divorce trial Strong v. Strong riveted the nation during the final throes and aftermath of the Civil War, offering a shocking glimpse into the private world of New York’s powerful and privileged elite. Barbara Weisberg presents the chaotic courtroom and panoply of witnesses―governess, housekeeper, private detective, sisters-in-law, and many others―who provided contradictory and often salacious testimony. She then asks us to be the jury, deciding each spouse’s guilt and the possibility of a just resolution. Social history at its most intimate, Strong Passions charts a trial’s twists and turns to portray a family and country in turmoil as they faced conflicts over women’s changing roles, male custody of children, and men’s power―financial and otherwise―over wives. 1 illustration
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 15, 2023
Divorces can be messy. Unfortunately, books about them can also be messy.
Strong Passions by Barbara Weisberg is a book about missed opportunities. It follows the story of the divorce battle between Mary and Peter Strong. You see, Mary decided to go and and sleep with Peter's brother. Peter sued for divorce and Mary accused him of forcing her to have an abortion and that he was having an affair with an abortionist.
Oh, are you mad at me for not posting a spoiler warning? Well, don't be. All of these facts are contained in the description of the book and then brought up again very early in the narrative. It is maddening. There are many twists and turns in the story which are given away almost immediately by the author. It's fatal to any sense of shock in the book. It also means that when you actually get to the courtroom scenes there is no suspense. It becomes lawyers arguing about things you already know. The repetition makes the book drag badly.
Also, with historical true crime, the author needs to immerse the reader in the world as it was during the time period. Weisberg actually does a very good job until she goes overboard. As a reader, I thought she did some excellent world building but then didn't stop. It's a shame because Weisberg can write well, but those skills cannot overcome the bad storytelling choices.
Finally, what pieces of work the Strongs were. Whomever you believe, you don't feel good about it. By the time I was done, I felt like it was best we forgot about Mary and Peter as soon as possible.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and W. W. Norton and Company.)
Strong Passions by Barbara Weisberg is a book about missed opportunities. It follows the story of the divorce battle between Mary and Peter Strong. You see, Mary decided to go and and sleep with Peter's brother. Peter sued for divorce and Mary accused him of forcing her to have an abortion and that he was having an affair with an abortionist.
Oh, are you mad at me for not posting a spoiler warning? Well, don't be. All of these facts are contained in the description of the book and then brought up again very early in the narrative. It is maddening. There are many twists and turns in the story which are given away almost immediately by the author. It's fatal to any sense of shock in the book. It also means that when you actually get to the courtroom scenes there is no suspense. It becomes lawyers arguing about things you already know. The repetition makes the book drag badly.
Also, with historical true crime, the author needs to immerse the reader in the world as it was during the time period. Weisberg actually does a very good job until she goes overboard. As a reader, I thought she did some excellent world building but then didn't stop. It's a shame because Weisberg can write well, but those skills cannot overcome the bad storytelling choices.
Finally, what pieces of work the Strongs were. Whomever you believe, you don't feel good about it. By the time I was done, I felt like it was best we forgot about Mary and Peter as soon as possible.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and W. W. Norton and Company.)
October 30, 2023
I particularly enjoy books about the 1800s and early 1900s so I was very excited to read STRONG PASSIONS. This was an interesting look into married life and divorce in the late 1800s. The author provides the perfect amount of background history on the couple and their families to give an understanding of important relationships but not bog down the pace. I became so invested in the people and their lives that I kept wanting to skip to the end to find the outcome of the trial!
This was a great read. Highly recommend for history lovers.
This was a great read. Highly recommend for history lovers.
March 8, 2024
A woman from an upper-class old New York family has an affair with her husband's brother. As the scandal unfolds during the 1860's, we are given a fascinating insight into the role of women at that time: the more upper-class you are, properly married, demure and modest, you are naturally of good character. An immigrant? Uneducated? Suspect morals? Forget about it. This dichotomy is put on stark display during the divorce trial of Peter and Mary Strong.
One takeaway from this book, god help a woman who strays outside the boundaries. A husband could take her children, and even if a divorce could be obtained (an enormously difficult undertaking in the 1860's), if the woman is found at fault, she cannot remarry after divorce as long as her husband still lives. The punishment of "fallen" women was unrelenting.
The first half of this book was really good. The second half was little more than the transcript of the Strongs' divorce trial. By the time the author got back to the story, I just wanted the book to be finished.
One takeaway from this book, god help a woman who strays outside the boundaries. A husband could take her children, and even if a divorce could be obtained (an enormously difficult undertaking in the 1860's), if the woman is found at fault, she cannot remarry after divorce as long as her husband still lives. The punishment of "fallen" women was unrelenting.
The first half of this book was really good. The second half was little more than the transcript of the Strongs' divorce trial. By the time the author got back to the story, I just wanted the book to be finished.
March 27, 2024
This nonfiction was excellent in terms of bringing us back to middle of the 19th century, and looking at the lifestyle and the lack of rights for women, even in the high classes. The author threw so many names at us in the early chapters that it would’ve helped if she had put a family tree into the book, at least for the family members.
March 8, 2024
Interesting story about a society divorce in the late 19th century, highlighting the almost total lack of rights women held in that period. I thought the title kind of a misnomer, because strong passions are not what is evidenced in the book, but the slow grinding of the legal system. (I actually thing a novel loosely based on the story would be fantastic.) Lots of good information but kind of plodding by the second half.
April 28, 2024
The biggest surprise is that nothing has changed in over 150 years with regards to divorce and means. Interesting read.
March 14, 2024
A good read. Well-researched & well-written.
April 10, 2024
The trial portion of the book felt too long and the beginning and end felt too short. Still, a fascinating picture of NYC of yesteryear.
June 17, 2024
A lot of people tend to forget—or simply don’t know—that divorce was incredibly hard to obtain in the past. It was invariably done through claims of adultery, and then one had to prove both that the adultery had taken place as well as that the plaintiff was not adulterous nor had forgiven the spouse. This would go far in explaining the fact a book has been written about a divorce trial in the 1860s, and that the aforementioned trial was gobbled up by people from coast-to-coast. Claims of adultery, abuse, rape, and forced abortion are peppered throughout the case, and while that is certainly tawdry enough to draw some attention, it would only make minor waves if it came up today because divorce is now a commonplace procedure.
Mary (Stevens) Strong vs her husband Peter Strong. She, after the death of one of their daughters, told him in a moment of guilt and sorrow that she had been indulging in an affair. For two years! With his brother. He promptly made his bed in another room and put furniture against their connecting door for good measure. Since these were the days that divorce was difficult and, perhaps more importantly, ruinous to one’s good name and social standing, he decided that they could live together but not BE together. Gasp! She’s pregnant, though, and who knows WHO the father is! There is a subsequent miscarriage—or was it an abortion?—and their relations continue to degrade, culminating in a terrific showdown where she absconds with their younger daughter and goes into hiding in defiance of a court order. Then comes the divorce trial.
I almost gave this book three stars, but I had to remind myself that just because I detested the actions of the people within it doesn’t mean the text itself deserves that. It’s very well-researched, and even when delivering the facts, it isn’t dry and dull. Still, I cannot stand her side of the family and, indeed, her. Or her lawyers. Yes, it’s admirable her family stood by her when many wouldn’t. But that admiration only takes me so far. I think it stops short of how they first tried to bribe, then coerce an abortionist into testifying for them and when that didn’t work, they worked on officials to charge her with murder for the death of a woman in order to apply pressure on her to testify against Peter. And then they brought charges against Peter. And claimed he had an affair with the abortionist for good measure. It stops short of how they hired a “detective” to essentially say what they wanted. It stops short of them using that detective to tamper with the jury with the end result of all saying she committed adultery while ten saying he was innocent (and two saying he wasn’t, thus denying him the divorce). It stops short of them spending $3-4,000 (an ASTRONOMICAL sum) on some witnesses to dine out, take carriages, see theatre shows, and stay in a fancy hotel to get their testimony.
Do I think Peter made her get an abortion? Maybe, or maybe she got one of her own volition due to her health and the stress of already losing one child. Not to mention, of course, that she didn’t know whose baby it was. Do I think that she was raped at gunpoint by Edward? No, I don’t. Setting aside the fact that she continued to go into his room, walk with him, take carriage rides, made him a dressing gown, and generally was inseparable from him, wouldn’t she have confessed why she had slept with him if she had been coerced, whether out of a misplaced sense of “shame” or as to make Peter understand why it took place? The fact that it continued for two years doesn’t help her case either. Her side seemed to kitchen sink their explanation, with claims that Peter didn’t protect her from seduction, she was mentally unstable from heavy period bleeding (oh yeah!), actually, HE cheated (not her!), he knew all along and offered her to his brother, to she was raped under threat of death should she not comply.
I think the true victims were their children, forced to live with their parents’ frosty relationship, shuttled back and forth and used as weapons until they were finally separated, growing up without each other or the other parent. It had to be a traumatic and sad childhood for the two girls.
Mary (Stevens) Strong vs her husband Peter Strong. She, after the death of one of their daughters, told him in a moment of guilt and sorrow that she had been indulging in an affair. For two years! With his brother. He promptly made his bed in another room and put furniture against their connecting door for good measure. Since these were the days that divorce was difficult and, perhaps more importantly, ruinous to one’s good name and social standing, he decided that they could live together but not BE together. Gasp! She’s pregnant, though, and who knows WHO the father is! There is a subsequent miscarriage—or was it an abortion?—and their relations continue to degrade, culminating in a terrific showdown where she absconds with their younger daughter and goes into hiding in defiance of a court order. Then comes the divorce trial.
I almost gave this book three stars, but I had to remind myself that just because I detested the actions of the people within it doesn’t mean the text itself deserves that. It’s very well-researched, and even when delivering the facts, it isn’t dry and dull. Still, I cannot stand her side of the family and, indeed, her. Or her lawyers. Yes, it’s admirable her family stood by her when many wouldn’t. But that admiration only takes me so far. I think it stops short of how they first tried to bribe, then coerce an abortionist into testifying for them and when that didn’t work, they worked on officials to charge her with murder for the death of a woman in order to apply pressure on her to testify against Peter. And then they brought charges against Peter. And claimed he had an affair with the abortionist for good measure. It stops short of how they hired a “detective” to essentially say what they wanted. It stops short of them using that detective to tamper with the jury with the end result of all saying she committed adultery while ten saying he was innocent (and two saying he wasn’t, thus denying him the divorce). It stops short of them spending $3-4,000 (an ASTRONOMICAL sum) on some witnesses to dine out, take carriages, see theatre shows, and stay in a fancy hotel to get their testimony.
Do I think Peter made her get an abortion? Maybe, or maybe she got one of her own volition due to her health and the stress of already losing one child. Not to mention, of course, that she didn’t know whose baby it was. Do I think that she was raped at gunpoint by Edward? No, I don’t. Setting aside the fact that she continued to go into his room, walk with him, take carriage rides, made him a dressing gown, and generally was inseparable from him, wouldn’t she have confessed why she had slept with him if she had been coerced, whether out of a misplaced sense of “shame” or as to make Peter understand why it took place? The fact that it continued for two years doesn’t help her case either. Her side seemed to kitchen sink their explanation, with claims that Peter didn’t protect her from seduction, she was mentally unstable from heavy period bleeding (oh yeah!), actually, HE cheated (not her!), he knew all along and offered her to his brother, to she was raped under threat of death should she not comply.
I think the true victims were their children, forced to live with their parents’ frosty relationship, shuttled back and forth and used as weapons until they were finally separated, growing up without each other or the other parent. It had to be a traumatic and sad childhood for the two girls.
November 24, 2023
One wore blue, one wore gray. The Civil War had divided the country. The Strong v Strong Divorce Trial opened on November 23, 1865, lasted for five weeks and captivated the nation. "Seven months after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the case provided a war-torn country with a shocking distraction and an unusual glimpse into the private world of New York's powerful and privileged elite." "The elite nature of the embattled parties, the accusations of adultery, abortion, and child abduction made for multiple headlines and the public's voyeuristic fascination."
"Ideally matched" storybook couple, Mary Stevens and Peter Strong were born to privilege in New York. Mary was raised in a home with a "high-toned puritanical atmosphere" however, she "veered slightly from the nineteenth century ideal of the passive, perfectly genteel young lady." Peter "enjoyed the life of leisure of a well-to-do gentleman, the occupation of choice for many young men of his class." His law degree from Columbia sat on a shelf, unused.
After marrying, Mary ceased "legally to exist"...A married woman's identity was 'covered' or subsumed by her husbands...the domestic realm...was 'defined a separate sphere' from the heady public, political, and economic sphere of a man." Mary's desire for a dwelling of her own would never be realized. The couple lived at the Strong family estate in Queens, New York, under the thumb of Peter's mother. Peter, leading a free-wheeling carefree life on his mother's dime, often left Mary to fend for herself. No emotional support was provided even during her several miscarriages. Her joy was their two children, Mamie and Allie. The bedroom across the hall from Mary's was occupied by Peter's brother, Edward who was recently widowed.
Strong v Strong was portrayed by the press as a cross suit: "Peter and Mary each accused the other of adultery, requested a divorce, and asked for custody of the children." "The freedom to legally remarry depended on obtaining a divorce decree, at least for the party judged innocent. The guilty party generally was barred from remarrying during the innocent party's lifetime." Peter demanded full custody of his daughters considering it to be "his traditional paternal right." Mary having a "will few could withstand" disappeared with younger daughter, Allie.
Strong v Strong. Reliable v unreliable (perhaps paid-off) witnesses. Evidence v hearsay. She said, he said. Author Barbara Weisberg presents a well researched, documented case of a salacious divorce in Old New York. Highly recommended.
Thank you W.W. Norton and BookBrowse for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Ideally matched" storybook couple, Mary Stevens and Peter Strong were born to privilege in New York. Mary was raised in a home with a "high-toned puritanical atmosphere" however, she "veered slightly from the nineteenth century ideal of the passive, perfectly genteel young lady." Peter "enjoyed the life of leisure of a well-to-do gentleman, the occupation of choice for many young men of his class." His law degree from Columbia sat on a shelf, unused.
After marrying, Mary ceased "legally to exist"...A married woman's identity was 'covered' or subsumed by her husbands...the domestic realm...was 'defined a separate sphere' from the heady public, political, and economic sphere of a man." Mary's desire for a dwelling of her own would never be realized. The couple lived at the Strong family estate in Queens, New York, under the thumb of Peter's mother. Peter, leading a free-wheeling carefree life on his mother's dime, often left Mary to fend for herself. No emotional support was provided even during her several miscarriages. Her joy was their two children, Mamie and Allie. The bedroom across the hall from Mary's was occupied by Peter's brother, Edward who was recently widowed.
Strong v Strong was portrayed by the press as a cross suit: "Peter and Mary each accused the other of adultery, requested a divorce, and asked for custody of the children." "The freedom to legally remarry depended on obtaining a divorce decree, at least for the party judged innocent. The guilty party generally was barred from remarrying during the innocent party's lifetime." Peter demanded full custody of his daughters considering it to be "his traditional paternal right." Mary having a "will few could withstand" disappeared with younger daughter, Allie.
Strong v Strong. Reliable v unreliable (perhaps paid-off) witnesses. Evidence v hearsay. She said, he said. Author Barbara Weisberg presents a well researched, documented case of a salacious divorce in Old New York. Highly recommended.
Thank you W.W. Norton and BookBrowse for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2024
This book is really fascinating. I've been drawn to history books this year, especially as audio books to replace my news podcasts (because sometimes news is just brutal) but listening to history can also be really brutal. But, it's also fascinating. And this book was absolutely fascinating.
Weisberg recounts what we know about the marriage and divorce of Peter and Mary Strong, after their young daughter's death and a confession that Mary had been having an affair for two years with Peter's brother and instead of separating quietly, they quarrel over custody of the children and end up filing for divorce, which airs all their dirty laundry in the press and creates a huge scandal.
If you are looking for an immersive history story like The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America or Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI this is not that book. Weisberg very straightforwardly tells the story of Mary and Peter's life, their courtship, what we know of their marriage, and what lead up to the trial of Strong v. Strong - which New York Papers covered because, it was just engrossing reading at the time I'm sure. So, even though it was very straight forward and at times a bit dry (the trial itself is recounted exactly like a trial happens - sometimes it's very exciting, sometimes the witnesses don't turn out how you want, sometimes it's just lawyers arguing a bunch) but it gives a really fascinating look into social norms in the pre and post Civil War era. And that was absolutely fascinating.
There was so much in here - monied families with social expectations, the assumption that fathers would always be the best people to care for their children, abortion and the fascinating attitudes about it (somehow both wildly different and EXACTLY the same issue today 160+ years later), marriage, divorce and how hard we made it (and still make it today). It was all extremely thought provoking and interesting.
Weisberg recounts what we know about the marriage and divorce of Peter and Mary Strong, after their young daughter's death and a confession that Mary had been having an affair for two years with Peter's brother and instead of separating quietly, they quarrel over custody of the children and end up filing for divorce, which airs all their dirty laundry in the press and creates a huge scandal.
If you are looking for an immersive history story like The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America or Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI this is not that book. Weisberg very straightforwardly tells the story of Mary and Peter's life, their courtship, what we know of their marriage, and what lead up to the trial of Strong v. Strong - which New York Papers covered because, it was just engrossing reading at the time I'm sure. So, even though it was very straight forward and at times a bit dry (the trial itself is recounted exactly like a trial happens - sometimes it's very exciting, sometimes the witnesses don't turn out how you want, sometimes it's just lawyers arguing a bunch) but it gives a really fascinating look into social norms in the pre and post Civil War era. And that was absolutely fascinating.
There was so much in here - monied families with social expectations, the assumption that fathers would always be the best people to care for their children, abortion and the fascinating attitudes about it (somehow both wildly different and EXACTLY the same issue today 160+ years later), marriage, divorce and how hard we made it (and still make it today). It was all extremely thought provoking and interesting.
January 19, 2024
Divorces can be messy. STRONG PASSIONS by Barbara Weisberg follows the story of the divorce battle between Mary and Peter Strong, offering an interesting look into married life and divorce in the late 1800s. In the first half, the author provides the perfect amount of background history on the couple and their families to give an understanding of important relationships. The second half reads like the transcript of the Strongs' divorce trial.
Mary Stevens and Peter Strong were born to privilege in New York. Mary was raised in a home with a puritanical atmosphere but slightly veered from the ideal of a passive, perfectly genteel young lady. Peter enjoyed the life of leisure of a well-to-do gentleman, the occupation of choice for many young men of his class, with his law degree from Columbia sitting on a shelf, unused. After marrying, Mary ceased legally to exist, and her desire for a dwelling of her own would never be realized: the couple lived at the Strong family estate in Queens, New York, under the thumb of Peter's mother. Peter, leading a free-wheeling carefree life on his mother's dime, often left Mary to fend for herself, providing no emotional support even during her miscarriages. Mamie and Allie, Mary’s children, were her joy. Edward, Peter’s widowed brother, was living in the bedroom across the hall from Mary and Peter.
The Strong v Strong Divorce Trial opened on November 23, 1865, lasted for five weeks and captivated the nation. Only seven months after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the case provided a war-torn country with a shocking distraction and an unusual glimpse into the private world of New York's powerful and privileged elite. Peter and Mary each accused the other of adultery, requested a divorce, and asked for custody of the children. The freedom to legally remarry depended on obtaining a divorce decree, at least for the party judged innocent. The guilty party generally was barred from remarrying during the innocent party's lifetime. Peter demanded full custody of his daughters considering it to be his traditional paternal right. Mary having a will few could withstand, ran off with younger daughter, Allie, at the start of the trial.
Strong Passions reads like a novel, although it is a true story. The author makes the ins and outs of the late 1800s justice system (regarding divorce) in New York understandable. The obvious bias against women is an integral part of this story.
Thank you WW Norton & Company and BookBrowse for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mary Stevens and Peter Strong were born to privilege in New York. Mary was raised in a home with a puritanical atmosphere but slightly veered from the ideal of a passive, perfectly genteel young lady. Peter enjoyed the life of leisure of a well-to-do gentleman, the occupation of choice for many young men of his class, with his law degree from Columbia sitting on a shelf, unused. After marrying, Mary ceased legally to exist, and her desire for a dwelling of her own would never be realized: the couple lived at the Strong family estate in Queens, New York, under the thumb of Peter's mother. Peter, leading a free-wheeling carefree life on his mother's dime, often left Mary to fend for herself, providing no emotional support even during her miscarriages. Mamie and Allie, Mary’s children, were her joy. Edward, Peter’s widowed brother, was living in the bedroom across the hall from Mary and Peter.
The Strong v Strong Divorce Trial opened on November 23, 1865, lasted for five weeks and captivated the nation. Only seven months after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the case provided a war-torn country with a shocking distraction and an unusual glimpse into the private world of New York's powerful and privileged elite. Peter and Mary each accused the other of adultery, requested a divorce, and asked for custody of the children. The freedom to legally remarry depended on obtaining a divorce decree, at least for the party judged innocent. The guilty party generally was barred from remarrying during the innocent party's lifetime. Peter demanded full custody of his daughters considering it to be his traditional paternal right. Mary having a will few could withstand, ran off with younger daughter, Allie, at the start of the trial.
Strong Passions reads like a novel, although it is a true story. The author makes the ins and outs of the late 1800s justice system (regarding divorce) in New York understandable. The obvious bias against women is an integral part of this story.
Thank you WW Norton & Company and BookBrowse for the print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2024
Barbara Weisberg's Strong Passions is an excellent piece of nonfiction. Weisberg chronicles the story of Mary and Peter Strong, a well-to-do couple in mid nineteenth century New York. After the death of one of their daughters, Mary confesses to Peter that she has been having an affair with his brother, Edward. That's some first-rate scandal right there. But wait! There's more! As preparations for the divorce continue, Mary kidnaps her youngest daughter; Mary's family accuses Peter of having forced Mary to have an abortion and also having an affair with the abortionist. Whoa. All this information is printed on the inside front cover of the book, so none of this was a spoiler.
Weisberg utilizes the trial transcripts to tell the story. She also gives us lots of information about the time period and women's (lack of) legal rights. She connects the United States' "divorce" in the Civil War to the Strongs' divorce, emphasizing the stress of changing times.
The title itself is a wonderful word play. Peter Strong was a huge fan of Lord Byron's poetry, and one of Byron's poems starts with "Strange fits of passion I have known." Strange and Strong--certainly apt.
I finished Strong Passions in an afternoon--it's very readable and very interesting. It's the best kind of nonfiction, where we learn about a specific time period and its inhabitants and the customs of the time and place, with the author using the art of storytelling.
Weisberg utilizes the trial transcripts to tell the story. She also gives us lots of information about the time period and women's (lack of) legal rights. She connects the United States' "divorce" in the Civil War to the Strongs' divorce, emphasizing the stress of changing times.
The title itself is a wonderful word play. Peter Strong was a huge fan of Lord Byron's poetry, and one of Byron's poems starts with "Strange fits of passion I have known." Strange and Strong--certainly apt.
I finished Strong Passions in an afternoon--it's very readable and very interesting. It's the best kind of nonfiction, where we learn about a specific time period and its inhabitants and the customs of the time and place, with the author using the art of storytelling.
February 19, 2024
Thank you to @w.w.norton and @bookbrowse First Impressions for this advanced reader copy.
I liked this book and was fascinated by this true story of privilege and society in the mid-1800’s. This book is a detailed accounting of a divorce and child custody case between two high society New Yorkers from well-to-do families. At that time, the laws governing divorce and child custody disregarded women’s rights entirely, and once a women got married, she basically had no independence at all. The behavior of the participants in this story illustrates that basic human nature does not change, but cultures do evolve over time. The drama played out in the context of the broader values and culture among privileged citizens and New Yorkers in the mid-1800’s and incorporates major events happening at that time such as the Civil War, the assassination of Lincoln, and the abolishing of slavery. I got a little bogged down with the details of the trial, but the book certainly held my interest throughout and has inspired me to learn more about the origin of the women’s rights movement in the U.S.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/reader_rev...
I liked this book and was fascinated by this true story of privilege and society in the mid-1800’s. This book is a detailed accounting of a divorce and child custody case between two high society New Yorkers from well-to-do families. At that time, the laws governing divorce and child custody disregarded women’s rights entirely, and once a women got married, she basically had no independence at all. The behavior of the participants in this story illustrates that basic human nature does not change, but cultures do evolve over time. The drama played out in the context of the broader values and culture among privileged citizens and New Yorkers in the mid-1800’s and incorporates major events happening at that time such as the Civil War, the assassination of Lincoln, and the abolishing of slavery. I got a little bogged down with the details of the trial, but the book certainly held my interest throughout and has inspired me to learn more about the origin of the women’s rights movement in the U.S.
https://www.bookbrowse.com/reader_rev...
February 29, 2024
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway and am providing an honest review. 3.5 Stars I am partial to this period in history and really enjoyed the majority of this book. It’s well written/researched and it’s organized well - which I really appreciated. I was captivated by the first third of the book — the history of these two families and how the political setting influenced this case was very interesting. I also loved how the author chose to conclude the book with a comprehensive post trial history of all of the major players. But, what I struggled with was the trial itself and honestly it’s no fault of the author - long drawn out orations were the norm of the day and thus this trial was boring. As much as the author tried to tighten everything up, there were things that were just repetitive.
What I really wanted - but never got - was to hear from Mary Strong. I wish there had been a diary like George T Strong’s to understand her thoughts and feelings but there wasn’t. And because of this, no matter how well written or interesting, I just felt as if I was missing a big part of the story. Overall though the book ends strong and demonstrates the difficulty women had due to their lack of rights during this period.
What I really wanted - but never got - was to hear from Mary Strong. I wish there had been a diary like George T Strong’s to understand her thoughts and feelings but there wasn’t. And because of this, no matter how well written or interesting, I just felt as if I was missing a big part of the story. Overall though the book ends strong and demonstrates the difficulty women had due to their lack of rights during this period.
May 28, 2024
Barbara Weisberg has written a wonderful book about an intriguing mid 19th century New York City scandal. Gracefully presenting the available data, she offers a compelling story about two distinctive individuals set in their micro and macro settings. We learn a great deal about the lives of two particular people while also getting close to big events like the Civil War, Lincoln's assasination, and the movement for the liberation of women. But the book does even more than teach us about the past. Weisberg allows us through her telling of this case a better view of our present and possible future. As the 19th century diarist George Templetin Strong, an important source for Weisberg, tells us: "I look at this case with dismay ... It seems to me one of those great public scandals that have sometimes been the forerunners or portents of ... revolution & calamity to the community in which hey occurred."
June 21, 2024
If you’re at all like me, you deeply yearn for drama and gossip but have the affected self-importance that you’re “above it.” You know what wipes away that guilt over desperately wanting to know peoples business? History and a well-researched bibliography!
I loved the way that the author sectioned the book. It gave easy expectations for the structure of events. I also thought that the way that the author blended historical quotations, historical contextual details, and a very engaging narrative voice was masterful. For a book about a court case I’d never heard of involving parties I wasn’t aware of, there wasn’t a period of time that I felt things become dull. Unfortunately with nonfiction, sometimes there are some slow moments. But one can’t control history, and reality doesn’t clip along at an even pace.
In general, I’d recommend this for fans of the gilded age, fans of court dramas, or just general history lovers.
I loved the way that the author sectioned the book. It gave easy expectations for the structure of events. I also thought that the way that the author blended historical quotations, historical contextual details, and a very engaging narrative voice was masterful. For a book about a court case I’d never heard of involving parties I wasn’t aware of, there wasn’t a period of time that I felt things become dull. Unfortunately with nonfiction, sometimes there are some slow moments. But one can’t control history, and reality doesn’t clip along at an even pace.
In general, I’d recommend this for fans of the gilded age, fans of court dramas, or just general history lovers.
January 19, 2024
Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York
recounts the tumultuous marriage of Peter and Mary Strong and the legal and personal aspects of pursuing divorce in upper crust New York, 1862.
If you check the acknowledgments, notes and bibliography, you will
realize it is far more than a cursory biographical sketch of divorce in "old New York".
It is quite intense reading and would definitely appeal to those interested in New York history.
"Weisberg uses a scandalous divorce to illuminate tensions surrounding marriage, gender, and sexuality in Edith Wharton's upper-class New York City." (Clifton Hood)
I would not suggest this biography to those looking for a light read.
It can definitely be appreciated by someone looking for in-depth period material.
recounts the tumultuous marriage of Peter and Mary Strong and the legal and personal aspects of pursuing divorce in upper crust New York, 1862.
If you check the acknowledgments, notes and bibliography, you will
realize it is far more than a cursory biographical sketch of divorce in "old New York".
It is quite intense reading and would definitely appeal to those interested in New York history.
"Weisberg uses a scandalous divorce to illuminate tensions surrounding marriage, gender, and sexuality in Edith Wharton's upper-class New York City." (Clifton Hood)
I would not suggest this biography to those looking for a light read.
It can definitely be appreciated by someone looking for in-depth period material.
April 15, 2024
Interesting look back in time into what power & privilege could do for some. Well researched, interesting how Peter Strong's mother seemed to have so much power & influence. Her late husband have given her control of his estate, so her son's fortunes seemed to be controlled by her. And Mary, her daughter in law had so little. Thankfully, against all odds, Mary's family stood by her in her "disgrace" (there is a question as to how her transgression played out) & the playing field was leveled somewhat.
A 3.5 rating, at some points I feel it got a bit repetitious. A silly aside, you have given us all so much of their intimate lives, I would have liked a picture or two of the cast of characters, but that's me.
A 3.5 rating, at some points I feel it got a bit repetitious. A silly aside, you have given us all so much of their intimate lives, I would have liked a picture or two of the cast of characters, but that's me.
May 16, 2024
"Strong Passions" examines upper class life style in "old New York) in the mid-19th century through a "case study" of sorts: the examination of a 4-week divorce trial , Strong v. Strong. Divorce was rare among the upper classes in the 1860s, and this one was a doozy, involving potential adultery by both husband and wife, child custody issues, a potential forced abortion and witness tampering. The trial reporting proceeds day by day and witness by witness, and is not exactly scintillating, and the outcome is a bit of an anti-climax. The research is goo and detailed, but there's not a lot of excitement in the writing. Weisberg tries a tie-in with the Civil War and Reconstruction periods and the changing times, but it feels a bit extraneous. Not my favorite read.
February 4, 2024
Barbara Weisberg's "Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York" is a well researched and fascinating look at one of New York's high society divorces in 1865. Yes, this divorce case was scandalous - there was so much riding on the outcome mostly for Mary Strong, wife of Peter Strong at a time when women were viewed as the property of their husband, to reflect high morals and never complain (or stray). The first half of this book was fascinating, the second half a bit dry as it reads like a transcript of the trial.
I received this ARC as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I received this ARC as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 12, 2024
In 1862, Mary Strong confessed to having an affair with her husband Peter’s brother. Peter sued for divorce, and Mary countered with allegations of coercion and infidelity. The scandalous trial, Strong v. Strong, gripped the nation during the Civil War’s end, offering a glimpse into the private lives of New York’s elite. The author invites readers to weigh the evidence and decide the truth for themselves.
This historical nonfiction does a good job of telling the Strongs’ story and recounting the facts of the case, while also creating a vivid picture of life in their social milieu.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This historical nonfiction does a good job of telling the Strongs’ story and recounting the facts of the case, while also creating a vivid picture of life in their social milieu.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
March 3, 2024
This was a well researched book and an interesting inside look at a particular divorce, Peter and Mary Strong, higher society members, in the time period it was set in. (Late 1800s)
What made the book the most interesting to me, was what was happening in the country- the side story of the Civil War and the parallels- a sort of attempted 'divorce' in the country. I read this on an Arizona vacation, and unfortunately Kindle did not keep my highlights- and now a week and another 3 books later, I can't remember a lot of the book. Argh. I do recall that initially they were not granted a divorce by the court- which seems so odd!
What made the book the most interesting to me, was what was happening in the country- the side story of the Civil War and the parallels- a sort of attempted 'divorce' in the country. I read this on an Arizona vacation, and unfortunately Kindle did not keep my highlights- and now a week and another 3 books later, I can't remember a lot of the book. Argh. I do recall that initially they were not granted a divorce by the court- which seems so odd!
March 10, 2024
Hot times in Old New York
This fascinating chronicle suggests that proper mid-Century Americans of the upper classes were no slouches when it came to sex. It’s a story worthy of the most florid melodrama, with betrayals and lies galore, notorious abortionists, adultery, quasi-incest, and tragedy. Imagine a jury of twelve middle-class men, grocers and molding makers, sitting in the courtroom and hearing the most intimate facts about a woman’s menstrual cycle, just for starters. The author also does a fine job conjuring up the atmosphere of New York in the 1850s and sixties—so the reader can imagine the setting while being privy to explosive family secrets.
This fascinating chronicle suggests that proper mid-Century Americans of the upper classes were no slouches when it came to sex. It’s a story worthy of the most florid melodrama, with betrayals and lies galore, notorious abortionists, adultery, quasi-incest, and tragedy. Imagine a jury of twelve middle-class men, grocers and molding makers, sitting in the courtroom and hearing the most intimate facts about a woman’s menstrual cycle, just for starters. The author also does a fine job conjuring up the atmosphere of New York in the 1850s and sixties—so the reader can imagine the setting while being privy to explosive family secrets.
April 4, 2024
This was a window into the mores and social restrictions of the nineteenth century, and even though it affected the upper echelon of society, the treatment of the woman was still disadvantaged. While things have changed, I think that so many social "norms" remain similar if not the same as almost two centuries past.
The court trial was interesting and well researched. I would have liked more insight into the marriage and how the subsequent affair truly began, but there is no one to interview, and in order to insure non-fiction and its accuracy, the author had to rely on what is available.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
The court trial was interesting and well researched. I would have liked more insight into the marriage and how the subsequent affair truly began, but there is no one to interview, and in order to insure non-fiction and its accuracy, the author had to rely on what is available.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
March 4, 2024
This is a nonfiction history book about an ugly divorce case called Strong v. Strong. This early history has fascinated me as a New Yorker. I received it as a gift and gave it a fair chance. On the positive side, the author does a good job of painting the picture of city elite at this time. However, I can only give it two stars, because I didn't find much actual drama in the book. The author gives away almost everything too soon, and the trial is a little predictable. Not bad, not great. The story had more potential then was achieved in this book.
March 30, 2024
3.5 This is an interesting chronicle of a highly-publicized divorce in monied Old New York (1865) at a time when divorce was almost unheard of and very difficult to obtain. Although it gets a little bogged down in minutiae once the divorce trial is underway, it is nonetheless absorbing and even disturbing to see how few rights women had. Thoroughly researched and very readable, this account of a high society scandal contains adultery, abortion, child custody, wealth, women's rights (or lack thereof), and betrayal, and is a compelling look at the elite of 19th century New York.
May 16, 2024
The subject of this book was interesting, but it was written like a student trying to draw out an essay's word count. The vast majority of it is just a super detailed play by play of the actual court records of the divorce proceedings, which gets pretty tedious to read, and there are points where the author tries to compare the microcosm of this one marriage to what's going on in the wider world, which is a good idea, but comes off pretty clunky here. A quick read, interesting in parts, forgettable.
June 6, 2024
A study of mid-19th century assumptions and beliefs in the United States about gender roles, marriage, adultery and divorce as seen through the lens of a notorious New York court case in which a man and wife both sued the other for divorce--much to the chagrin of their families and the resulting publicity. That both parties were of an elite social group known as "old New York" (think Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence") made the case all the more lurid. Anyone interested in American social history will want to read this.
June 13, 2024
3.5 - interesting how women’s rights today are being brought back to the 1800’s…
1 star- DNF
2 stars- I didn’t enjoy the book and wouldn’t choose to read again if I had limited time
3 stars- I enjoyed the book, but nothing very memorable
4 stars- I enjoyed the book, there was something different/interesting about it, fast read.
5 stars- everything 4 stars has but I’d re-read and purchase the book.
1 star- DNF
2 stars- I didn’t enjoy the book and wouldn’t choose to read again if I had limited time
3 stars- I enjoyed the book, but nothing very memorable
4 stars- I enjoyed the book, there was something different/interesting about it, fast read.
5 stars- everything 4 stars has but I’d re-read and purchase the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews