Tells the stories of ten successful female historians who came of age in an era when it was unusual for women to pursue careers in academia, especially in the field of history. These first-person accounts illuminate the experiences women of the post-World War II generation encountered when they chose to enter this male-dominated professional world.

"A remarkable collective autobiography of how a generation of women historians of the American South challenged and overcame entrenched perceptions in allegedly enlightened academia to build successful teaching and research careers not only for themselves, but also for the women who came after them. Each account is both frustrating and inspiring: there were indeed no straight paths to success, and the work for full equality is not yet over."--David Goldfield, Robert Lee Bailey professor of History, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

"No Straight Path consists of moving autobiographical essays by ten prominent women historians of the South who relate the complicated and various paths by which they became accomplished scholars. Each had to overcome obstacles and faced sometimes shameful gender discrimination and harassment but though grit and ability triumphed nevertheless. Every scholar who directs graduate work should read this marvelous book, as indeed should every college professor."--John B. Boles, William P. Hobby professor, Rice University