Book Review: Women of the Blue & Gray by Marianne Monson

Women of the Blue & Gray by Marianne Monson

Book Description:

Hidden amongst the photographs, uniforms, revolvers, and war medals of the Civil War are the remarkable stories of some of the most unlikely heroes—women.

North, South, black, white, Native American, immigrant—the women in these micro-drama biographies are wives, mothers, sisters, and friends whose purposes ranged from supporting husbands and sons during wartime to counseling President Lincoln on strategy, from tending to the wounded on the battlefield to spiriting away slaves through the Underground Railroad, from donning a uniform and fighting unrecognized alongside the men to working as spies for either side.

This book brings to light the incredible stories of women from the Civil War that remain relevant to our nation today. Each woman's experience helps us see a truer, fuller, richer version of what really happened in this country during this time period.

Rorie's Review:

This book was equally fascinating and heartbreaking, spellbinding and hard to read. I'm no history buff, but I have always found stories of our history fascinating. Upon choosing to read this book, I was hopeful that it would be less dry, history bookish and more historical storyish. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. This is definitely a book that you read a chapter or two at a time, taking time to digest what you've just read. War is horrifying, no matter how necessary it is, and even after reading so many of those details in this book, I can't even begin to imagine just how awful it was to live through for all of the people affected by it. It definitely reinforces my desire to raise my children to be good, morally-strong people. Also to help them learn of our nation's history - without whitewashing it - so they can hopefully help prevent atrocities like this from happening again.

Andrea's Review:

I don't spend many of my reading hours on non-fiction, but I was drawn to Women of the Blue & Gray. I think most of the draw was that women haven't really taken much of a role in what I've learned about the Civil War-or who I think about when I picture it. Of course, I've heard of Harriet Tubman and her work with the Underground Railroad and Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and the part it played in the Civil War, and Clara Barton, but I don't recall having ever been taught that quite a few women (both in the North and South) joined the ranks and fought side by side with the men (mostly in disguise). The stories shared about those women really surprised me.

It was eye opening to read about all of the different ways that women were involved with the Civil War. Not only were some women fighting, but many were nurses, and others were writers and activists. Many mothers were widowed and had so much on their plates while they tried to protect and nurture their children all while dealing with troops in their homes and scarce supplies.

It was so interesting to have view points from the North and the South. Women on both sides felt very strongly about their cause, and it was good to try to understand why they felt the way they did.

Women of the Blue & Gray was not a fast read for me. I read a few pages at a time, but I found it to be enlightening. I don't think I will be able to think about the Civil War from here on out without thinking of the many women who were involved.

Title: Women of the Blue & Gray
Author: Marianne Monson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: August 2018
ISBN: 1629724157
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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