Mary Ritter Beard books in order
American historian and women's suffrage activist
- Lived
- 1876–1958
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 8
Mary Ritter Beard published 7 non-fiction books and 1 other book, beginning with Woman's Work in Municipalities (1915). The best-known is The Force of Women in Japanese History (1953).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Mary Ritter Beard
Start here
The Force of Women in Japanese History
Mary Ritter Beard's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
A Short History of the American Labor Movement (1924)
On Understanding Women (1931)
The American Labor Movement (1931)
America Through Women's Eyes (1933)
Woman as Force in History (1946)
The Force of Women in Japanese History (1953)
Making Women's History (2001)
Other books in order
Free to read
All free classics
About Mary Ritter Beard
Mary Ritter Beard was an American historian, author, women's suffrage activist, and women's history archivist who was also a lifelong advocate of social justice. As a Progressive Era reformer, Beard was active in both the labor and women's rights movements. She also authored several books on women's role in history including On Understanding Women (1931), America Through Women's Eyes, and Woman as Force in History: A Study in Traditions and Realities (1946), her major work. In addition, she collaborated with her husband, historian Charles Austin Beard, as coauthor of seven textbooks, most notably The Rise of American Civilization (1927), two volumes, and America in Midpassage: A Study of the Idea of Civilization (1939) and The American Spirit (1942), the third and fourth volume of The Rise of American Civilization series. A standalone book, Basic History of the United States, was their best-selling work.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Mary Ritter Beard FAQ
- How many books has Mary Ritter Beard written?
- Mary Ritter Beard published 7 non-fiction books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Mary Ritter Beard's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Force of Women in Japanese History.
- What is Mary Ritter Beard's last book?
- The Force of Women in Japanese History (1953).
- What is Mary Ritter Beard's most famous book?
- The Force of Women in Japanese History (1953) is Mary Ritter Beard's most widely read book.
- Can I read Mary Ritter Beard's books for free?
- Yes. 2 books by Mary Ritter Beard are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Mary Ritter Beard
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.