Book cover of When Women Invented Television: The Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who Pioneered the Way We Watch Today

Book description

New and Noteworthy -New York Times Book Review
Must-Read Book of March -Entertainment Weekly
Best Books of March -HelloGiggles

"Leaps at the throat of television history and takes down the patriarchy with its fervent, inspired prose. When Women Invented Television offers proof that what we watch is a reflection of…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked When Women Invented Television as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Jennifer Keishin Armstrong (writer for such publications as Entertainment Weekly and New York magazine) has smartly chronicled the medium in single-show books (most famously Seinfeldia). Here, she does the same for a reach back to TV's defining days to focus on four pioneering industry women, on and off camera: Gertrude Berg, Hazel Scott, Irna Phillips, and Betty White.

We love Armstrong’s crisp narrative style, eye for behind-the-scenes moments, and respect for each character's strength and tenacity. While her "Invented Television" title is a deliberately bold thematic declaration, we think the subtitle “The Untold Story of Female Powerhouses” best captures…

If you love When Women Invented Television...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like When Women Invented Television?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like When Women Invented Television.

Browse books like When Women Invented Television

Book cover of The Twilight Zone Companion
Book cover of The Moose That Roared: The Story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, a Flying Squirrel and a Talking Moose
Book cover of Mad Men Carousel: The Complete Critical Companion

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

181

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like When Women Invented Television, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!