Jennings (director, Kentucky Foundation for Women) analyzes the life and writings of 18th-century Quaker artist and author Mary Knowles to reveal examples of the function of gender in family, social and public contexts during the Georgian Age. Knowles' story, which includes a confrontation with Samuel Johnson and a public dispute with James Boswell, demonstrates the social transformation of English Quakers, changing concepts of gender and the transmission of radical political ideology during the era of the American and French revolutions. Jennings also examines Knowles' theological beliefs, social networks and political opinions to provide a nuanced view of the participation of "middling" women in radical politics. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)