Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I think those who didn't like this book (judging from the reviews) are the sort of people who aren't used to modern non-fiction. Someone mentioned in their review that it reads like a novel, not like a non-fiction book. Exactly. It's a story of 4 (remarkable) women in the Civil War, not a Civil War textbook.
I found the book engaging (though not riveting) and the shift between the four women allowed for appropriately dramatic pauses that helped move the narrative along at a good pace. While I wanted to punch Rose and Belle in the face at times, Elizabeth Van Lew's story buoyed my spirits. The author did a tremendous job making these women (and their extraordinary stories) come to life.
I highly recommend it on audiobook, as Karen White did a great job reading it.
I found the book engaging (though not riveting) and the shift between the four women allowed for appropriately dramatic pauses that helped move the narrative along at a good pace. While I wanted to punch Rose and Belle in the face at times, Elizabeth Van Lew's story buoyed my spirits. The author did a tremendous job making these women (and their extraordinary stories) come to life.
I highly recommend it on audiobook, as Karen White did a great job reading it.
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
This book was great! It gave me a better view of the movement of the civil war, and was balanced between the two sides well. It was incredibly well-researched and written.
This book took me awhile to finish, but it was worth it. I was so engaged as the characters- I mean, these women’s stories unfolded. An amazing non- fiction narrative that wants me wanting to know more and read more from this period in time. My favorite story was that if Emma/Frank. A great read and fantastic book to listen to- which is what I recommend.
This is the story of four women who acted in untraditional roles during the Civil War. Interestingly, two of the women in this book worked for the Confederate cause and two worked to preserve the Union. I have been wanting to read this one for a long time. I’ve read several fictional accounts of Elizabeth Van Lew (Miss Lizzie’s War and The Spymistress), and listened to a Missed In History episode about Sarah Emma Edmonds, so when I was offered the chance to participate in the book tour, I grabbed it!
As much as I was looking forward to this book, it still took me awhile to get into it. I think that is partially because the book started with the least interesting (to me) woman. But I think I also had to get used to the author’s writing style. I think I had anticipated that the book would tell four different stories, one woman at a time. Instead, she told the story of the war, chronologically, through the eyes of these women. Once I got to know each woman, the story flowed smoothly. I think this would make a great five-part docudrama!
This would also make a great book club selection for the right book club. The book is a little long, and not all book clubs would have the time or desire to tackle this. But for those that are motivated, there is plenty to discuss; the motivations of the women; the ways they influenced the outcome of the war and how things might have turned out differently; the character flaws of the women; the traditional roles of women in this era! There is a reading guide on the author’s website, where you can also find an excerpt.
If you enjoy reading about the Civil War, or enjoy reading about women in non-traditional roles, this one is for you!
This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes.
As much as I was looking forward to this book, it still took me awhile to get into it. I think that is partially because the book started with the least interesting (to me) woman. But I think I also had to get used to the author’s writing style. I think I had anticipated that the book would tell four different stories, one woman at a time. Instead, she told the story of the war, chronologically, through the eyes of these women. Once I got to know each woman, the story flowed smoothly. I think this would make a great five-part docudrama!
This would also make a great book club selection for the right book club. The book is a little long, and not all book clubs would have the time or desire to tackle this. But for those that are motivated, there is plenty to discuss; the motivations of the women; the ways they influenced the outcome of the war and how things might have turned out differently; the character flaws of the women; the traditional roles of women in this era! There is a reading guide on the author’s website, where you can also find an excerpt.
If you enjoy reading about the Civil War, or enjoy reading about women in non-traditional roles, this one is for you!
This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes.
I read this book in about a day. And as big as this book is that should say something about the compelling prose that Abbott uses. I had read previously about Van Lee but did not feel like it was a re-hashing of known facts nor were there discrepancies in what was told here and in previous works where Van Lee is mentioned.
This was fascinating! Wish I had history like this back in school. Very well-written. Would give 10 stars if I could.
This book was not my usual kind of reading. It had its good moments though. I am just glad to be finished with it.
I loved Karen Abbot's Sin in the Second City. I love reading about the Civil War, particularly what the ladies where up to. I was tremendously excited to read this book, and Abbott did not disappoint.
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy reads like a thriller. Oh my gosh, the skill it must have taken to weave these four stories together in such a way that they interlocked and moved apart and left the reader always wanting to read ahead. I have to confess that more than once I HAD to read ahead to make sure that things turned out okay for one or more of the heroines.
We need more books like this.
There. I said it. Women haven't even had the vote for a hundred years yet, and history still ignores the lives of women in favor of military and political moves, both of which are primarily dominated by men. Abbott has captured in this book all the ways in which women directed the outcome of the war despite not having the right to vote and despite being restricted by society's own rules of what a woman could or could not do. Emma Edmonds, in many ways bucked law and tradition the most. She impersonated a man and went to war. People forget she wasn't the only woman to do so, too. Belle Boyd and Rose O'Neale Greenhow both worked within their social positions to gather intel for the Confederacy. These were women who weren't afraid to fight dirty; they would call Yankees ungentlemanly even while they had secret letters and weapons stashed underneath their skirts. Finally, Elizabeth Van Lew used and abused the society where she lived to help the northern cause.
Now, if you're looking for even a remotely sympathetic portrayal of the Confederacy, you need to look somewhere else. At this point in time, though, I think it's past time to recognize exactly how wrong slavery was. Abbott lets Belle and Rose condemn themselves. That said, they are women who have to be admired for their bravery and ingenuity even if you're not a fan of their cause. To me, Emma was the most interesting, followed by Elizabeth.
Not a one of these ladies emerged from the Civil War happy and intact. Even those on the "winning side" still suffered ill health and/or loss of prestige and wealth. This book is a fascinating read. Oh, and did I mention we need more books like it?
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy reads like a thriller. Oh my gosh, the skill it must have taken to weave these four stories together in such a way that they interlocked and moved apart and left the reader always wanting to read ahead. I have to confess that more than once I HAD to read ahead to make sure that things turned out okay for one or more of the heroines.
We need more books like this.
There. I said it. Women haven't even had the vote for a hundred years yet, and history still ignores the lives of women in favor of military and political moves, both of which are primarily dominated by men. Abbott has captured in this book all the ways in which women directed the outcome of the war despite not having the right to vote and despite being restricted by society's own rules of what a woman could or could not do. Emma Edmonds, in many ways bucked law and tradition the most. She impersonated a man and went to war. People forget she wasn't the only woman to do so, too. Belle Boyd and Rose O'Neale Greenhow both worked within their social positions to gather intel for the Confederacy. These were women who weren't afraid to fight dirty; they would call Yankees ungentlemanly even while they had secret letters and weapons stashed underneath their skirts. Finally, Elizabeth Van Lew used and abused the society where she lived to help the northern cause.
Now, if you're looking for even a remotely sympathetic portrayal of the Confederacy, you need to look somewhere else. At this point in time, though, I think it's past time to recognize exactly how wrong slavery was. Abbott lets Belle and Rose condemn themselves. That said, they are women who have to be admired for their bravery and ingenuity even if you're not a fan of their cause. To me, Emma was the most interesting, followed by Elizabeth.
Not a one of these ladies emerged from the Civil War happy and intact. Even those on the "winning side" still suffered ill health and/or loss of prestige and wealth. This book is a fascinating read. Oh, and did I mention we need more books like it?