Elizabeth Van Lew

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9Among the vast number of spies operating behind Confederate lines, one of the most effective was Richmond socialite Elizabeth Van Lew. By the time the war began, her reputation as a Unionist was well known, although it was chalked up as mere eccentricity. She used this ruse to her advantage, often playing the part of ``Crazy Bet.'' She eventually lead an extensive spy ring that not only smuggled out intelligence reports, but assisted escaped prisoners as well. She destroyed most of her personal papers, including the journals chronicling her wartime escapades. Zeinert has brought Van Lew to life, using what little remains of her personal writings. She has gone to great lengths to ensure that her subject's story is told within its historical perspective, giving a thorough background on the causes of the Civil War, descriptions of life in Richmond, and information on the major figures in the war. Black-and-white reproductions and photographs are scattered throughout. Unfortunately, Van Lew's exciting and dramatic life is sometimes lost in the midst of all the historical detail. Still, this is an excellent introduction to the issues of the time, and a good biography of an intriguing woman.Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN