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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Let me start with the comment that I liked this book. Primarily because it tells the impact of women in history and just how divided this country was during the 1860's. You can fill in the blanket over the issues under debate because there were many beyond just slavery. Debates which continue on in some extent today. With that said, I thought this book tried to take on too much. This 'stories of four courageous women—a socialite, a farmgirl, an abolitionist, and a widow—who were spies in the Civil War' best sums up what this book is about.
I have read a excellent book about Elizabeth Van Lew and her support of the Union Army from within Richmond, Virginia. This book did not go far enough with her involvement. There is a character named Emma Edmonds that lives as a man to avoid marriage. In this disguise, she joins the Union Army. I would have liked to see more about her life. As for the two women that were supporting the Confederate armies while living inside Union territory, I read just about enough to know I did not like them and don't really want to read any more of their life. You'll have to read the book to see if you agree.
Although I learned from this book, it lost one star due to the pace … or perhaps the loss of star reflects how much I disliked the two confederate supports. With that said, it was interesting book and worth the read.
I have read a excellent book about Elizabeth Van Lew and her support of the Union Army from within Richmond, Virginia. This book did not go far enough with her involvement. There is a character named Emma Edmonds that lives as a man to avoid marriage. In this disguise, she joins the Union Army. I would have liked to see more about her life. As for the two women that were supporting the Confederate armies while living inside Union territory, I read just about enough to know I did not like them and don't really want to read any more of their life. You'll have to read the book to see if you agree.
Although I learned from this book, it lost one star due to the pace … or perhaps the loss of star reflects how much I disliked the two confederate supports. With that said, it was interesting book and worth the read.
informative
medium-paced
Interesting tale of four women who worked as spies during the Civil War. Two spied for the Union, two for the Confederacy. While I recognize that victors write the history, the women selected for the book followed a definite pattern: the Union women were noble, while the Confederate women were coy and manipulative. I hated them -- truly, they made me angry, despite the years of distance between us. While the Unionists used their intellect to outwit the Confederates, the Confederate women used their looks and charm. "You wouldn't harm a poor, helpless woman, now would you?" Puh-leez.
The stories, nonetheless, were fascinating. In particular, Elizabeth's Union underground operation out of the Confederate capital of Richmond was pretty astounding, and she was never forgiven by her neighbors.
As an aside, I listened to this on several trips between the D.C. area and Richmond area, and much of the book took place along that route, in places I was seeing, so the timing was great.
Recommended reading for history buffs and people who like bad-ass women.
The stories, nonetheless, were fascinating. In particular, Elizabeth's Union underground operation out of the Confederate capital of Richmond was pretty astounding, and she was never forgiven by her neighbors.
As an aside, I listened to this on several trips between the D.C. area and Richmond area, and much of the book took place along that route, in places I was seeing, so the timing was great.
Recommended reading for history buffs and people who like bad-ass women.
There are some non-fiction books that are very dry and difficult to get through. Then there is Karen Abbott who builds the worlds and characters as thoroughly as any historical fiction novel and you are swept up in the action and wanting to know what happens to each woman. I listened to this as an audiobook and did struggle quite a bit. I know that the book was set to follow the Civil War timeline, but given how unique each woman's experiences were, it was hard switching between the perspectives in this manner. I think I would have enjoyed and gotten more out of the book if each woman's tale had been told as its own part. Otherwise, I really liked the style and learning about these women during the War. I have read tales of WWII women but did not know there were so many different women fighting that long ago. The courage is remarkable.
So impressed with the level if research and detail that went into this! I found Emma in particular to be a fascinating woman and I'm glad her story has been told. The Civil War has never been my favourite historical topic, but living outside Washington DC and relatively near so many battlefields (plus visiting Gettysburg last November) has rekindled the small interest I had before.
Very interesting, but the pace was a little slow and I don't think it needed to be quite so long.
A very enjoyable read! I knew a little bit about each of these four women featured, but it was wonderful to read another Karen Abbott book that wove their stories together with so many more details and tidbits to keep you intrigued.