Betty Friedan's controversial The Feminine Mystique (1963) helped to launch the modern women's movement. The book shatters the myth that post-World War II housewives were happy taking care of their husbands and children. Friedan labeled this misconception the feminine mystique and used her book to reveal the pain and frustration that many women faced when their needs were placed below the needs of their families.

Gilman originally published "Three Thanksgivings" in Forerunner, a magazine that she published for seven years, from November 1909 to December 1916. Each issue of Forerunner contained a wide range of short fiction, serialized novels, poetry, articles, and other works, all written by Gilman. All seven volumes were reprinted in 1968, and although they are currently out of print, they are still available at some libraries. In addition, the first volume was reprinted in a different edition in 2002 and is...