American Women in Science Before the Civil War contains brief life histories, analyses of writings and a bibliography of the works of each of twenty-two American women who published in science before the US Civil War. Each entry contains a short biography, and a listing and critique of all the subject’s scientific publications, with comments on each scientist’s work from both contemporary and modern perspectives. A shorter section reports the activities of women who were members of scientific societies, collectors, teachers, volunteer data collectors and scientific illustrators. All the information is taken from original primary sources. The 208-page book is illustrated with contemporary drawings, diagrams and title pages and includes an extensive bibliography.

The web version of the book also includes a short biography of author Elizabeth W. Reed, a short history of the book, and photos.