First published 2019
In "Ungovernable," Therese Oneill takes a riotous romp through the annals of parenting gone wrong. From a 17th-century noblewoman who kept her children in cages to a 19th-century nanny who fought duels on her charges' behalf, this book spotlights the most outrageous child-rearing practices of the past. Oneill's caustic wit and eye for absurd detail expose the deep-seated anxieties that have always plagued parents, even as familial roles and societal norms have shifted. At its heart, "Ungovernable" is a celebration of the timeless messiness of raising kids - and a poignant reminder that the hard-won victories of modern parenting are far from guaranteed.
Genres: history, non-fiction, 21st-century, parenting
Vibes: caustic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: celebration-of-messiness, poignant-reminder
Period: 17th-Century, 19th-Century
281 pages · Kindle Edition · Little, Brown and Company