A Midwife’s Tale Audiobook By Laurel Thatcher Ulrich cover art

A Midwife’s Tale

The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

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A Midwife’s Tale

By: Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
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Drawing on the diaries of one woman in 18th-century Maine, this intimate history illuminates the medical practices, household economies, religious rivalries, and sexual mores of the New England frontier.

Between 1785 and 1812, a midwife and healer named Martha Ballard kept a diary that recorded her arduous work (in 27 years she attended 816 births) as well as her domestic life in Hallowell, Maine. On the basis of that diary, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich gives us an intimate and densely imagined portrait, not only of the industrious and reticent Martha Ballard but of her society. At once lively and impeccably scholarly, A Midwife's Tale is a triumph of history on a human scale.

©1990 Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (P)2017 Tantor Americas Art & Literature Authors Gender Studies Revolution & Founding Social Sciences United States Women

Critic reviews

"A truly talented historian unravels the fascinating life of a community that is so foreign, and yet so similar to our own." ( New York Times)
Rich History • Detailed Account • Engaging Narration • Remarkable Woman • Compelling Saga • Intimate Glimpse
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As an 18th century living historian, to have this documentation is priceless. Yes hard to follow at times, Some wording is not in the modern words we currently know. Excellent reference book for anyone with a love of 18th century New England.

A cherished slice of history

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This is very well written and researched. I live in Maine so enjoyed the history of my local area. If you have any interest in history at all, you will enjoy this. I’m now planning on taking a trip to fort western! I learned of this book when I gave up on listening to the historical inaccuracies in the book the Frozen River. I was thinking to myself Martha Ballard, cannot be like this, or think this way. That book is utter clap trap. Thankfully someone mentioned this book. Her diary and the author’s writing really bring her character to life. A+++

Excellent book and recording

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I don't necessarily agree with the authors interpretation of what Martha was going through while her husband was in jail. From the diary notes, it seems it was a very difficult time for her, and I think maybe her family should have jumped in and helped a little more.
I enjoyed the story, although a little boring at times, for the most part it was very informative.

The diary itself

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I first came across the novel “The Frozen River,” by Ariel Lawhon featuring Martha Ballard which was engaging but seemed highly unrealistic. Wanting to know more about Martha’s work as a midwife it was a pleasant surprise to come find Laurel Ulrich’s book. If you have a particular interest in early American lives, early American medicine or midwifery this book might be for you. Martha’s non-emotional, methodical accounting of her cases is a testament to the logical and perhaps scientific turn of her mind.

Historical detail

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I can’t believe this woman’s diary almost never came to be published! This was such a great history of early America and New England. I was surprised that a lot of the conservative ideas we have about this time were false. Children born out of wedlock were common and this did not mean ostracization of women or those children.

Informative history

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Ulrich’s contextualization of Martha Ballard’s life and times is a virtuoso interweaving of hundreds of related primary source and a rich, deep understanding of the time period. I found the minutiae a bit dense at times, but the narrative payoff was well worth a bit of patience. I was fascinated by the analysis of 18th century courtship, marriage, religion, physical and sexual assault, murder, suicide, legal structures, debtors prison, etc. And then there is the midwifery!

Insights into 18th C life worth initial profusion of dense detail.

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A revealing and intimate look at the past that gets away from the back rooms and battlefields of most works of history.

Insightful and Surprising

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This book was wonderful if you like documentary of real life. Well performed, and enticing me to do research of the geographical area the book takes place in.

Charming auto biographical journal reading of an American Woman

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Particularly liked the historical presentation and explanation of how diary was annotated. As a care giver myself this was helpful in seeing the character develop and grow in her practice. Wonderful history of how modern obstetrical practice has changed yet remains the same.

The historical accuracy

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The travel she endured for her patients, She was dedicated and a value to the community.

The details she wrote

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