📖 Overview
Gail Collins is an American journalist, author, and columnist who became the first female editorial page editor for The New York Times, serving in that role from 2001 to 2007. She continues to write as a regular columnist for the Times, focusing on American politics and women's rights issues.
Her books have explored the history of American women's experiences and rights, including "When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present" and "America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines." Collins has also written about aging in America and the role of Texas in national politics.
Throughout her career, Collins has maintained a particular focus on political commentary and social issues, writing twice-weekly opinion columns that blend historical context with contemporary analysis. Her writing style incorporates historical research with a keen eye for the social and political forces that shape American society.
Before joining The New York Times, Collins founded the Connecticut State News Bureau and wrote as a columnist for the New York Daily News and as a reporter for United Press International. She has contributed to multiple publications including New York Newsday and the Connecticut Business Journal.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Collins' ability to blend historical research with humor and accessible writing. Her books on women's history, particularly "When Everything Changed" and "America's Women," receive praise for making complex historical narratives engaging and relatable. One reader noted: "She presents serious topics without being dry or academic."
Readers value her inclusion of diverse perspectives and personal stories that illustrate broader historical trends. Many cite her talent for uncovering lesser-known historical figures and events.
Common criticisms include:
- Liberal bias in political commentary
- Occasional oversimplification of complex issues
- Repetitive examples across different works
- Some readers find her humor distracting from serious topics
Ratings across platforms:
- "When Everything Changed": 4.1/5 on Goodreads (6,000+ ratings)
- "America's Women": 4.2/5 on Goodreads (5,000+ ratings)
- "As Texas Goes...": 3.7/5 on Amazon (50+ reviews)
- "No Stopping Us Now": 4.3/5 on Amazon (200+ reviews)
Many readers recommend starting with "When Everything Changed" as an entry point to her work.
📚 Books by Gail Collins
America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines (2003)
A historical examination of women's roles and experiences in America from the colonial period through modern times.
When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present (2009) A detailed account of the transformation in American women's lives during the latter half of the 20th century.
As Texas Goes...: How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda (2012) An analysis of Texas's political influence on national policy and American culture.
William Henry Harrison (2012) A biography of the ninth President of the United States, part of The American Presidents series.
Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity, and American Politics (1998) An exploration of political scandals and gossip throughout American history.
No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History (2019) A historical examination of aging women's changing roles and perceptions in American society.
When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present (2009) A detailed account of the transformation in American women's lives during the latter half of the 20th century.
As Texas Goes...: How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda (2012) An analysis of Texas's political influence on national policy and American culture.
William Henry Harrison (2012) A biography of the ninth President of the United States, part of The American Presidents series.
Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity, and American Politics (1998) An exploration of political scandals and gossip throughout American history.
No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History (2019) A historical examination of aging women's changing roles and perceptions in American society.
👥 Similar authors
Maureen Dowd writes political commentary and cultural criticism for The New York Times, covering similar territory as Collins with a focus on power dynamics and gender. Her books examine American politics through a combination of reporting and analysis, including coverage of presidential campaigns and Washington culture.
Rebecca Traister focuses on women in politics and feminist movements throughout American history. She writes about the intersection of gender and power structures, examining both historical developments and contemporary issues.
Anne Applebaum produces political analysis and historical works that examine democracy, authoritarianism, and social change. Her research-based approach combines current events with historical context, similar to Collins' method of connecting past to present.
Ellen Goodman wrote commentary on American society, politics, and women's issues for The Boston Globe. Her writing style combines personal observation with policy analysis, examining cultural shifts and gender dynamics in American life.
Cokie Roberts reported on American political history with an emphasis on women's roles and contributions to democracy. Her books cover the foundational periods of American government while highlighting overlooked figures and movements, particularly focusing on women in politics.
Rebecca Traister focuses on women in politics and feminist movements throughout American history. She writes about the intersection of gender and power structures, examining both historical developments and contemporary issues.
Anne Applebaum produces political analysis and historical works that examine democracy, authoritarianism, and social change. Her research-based approach combines current events with historical context, similar to Collins' method of connecting past to present.
Ellen Goodman wrote commentary on American society, politics, and women's issues for The Boston Globe. Her writing style combines personal observation with policy analysis, examining cultural shifts and gender dynamics in American life.
Cokie Roberts reported on American political history with an emphasis on women's roles and contributions to democracy. Her books cover the foundational periods of American government while highlighting overlooked figures and movements, particularly focusing on women in politics.