Women During the Civil War: An Encyclopedia

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Women During the Civil War: An Encyclopedia is the first A-Z reference work to offer a panoramic presentation of the contributions, achievements, and personal stories of American women during one of the most turbulent eras of the nation's history. Incorporating the most recent scholarship as well as excerpts from diaries, letters, newspapers, and other primary source documents, this Encyclopedia encompasses the wartime experiences of famous and lesser-known women of all ethnic groups and social backgrounds throughout the United States during the Civil War era.

Many works have described women who contributed to or were affected by the 1861-1865 war, but Harper considers the experiences of women from all regions, races, classes, and leading ethnic groups during the conflict even if their lives were relatively untouched by it. She draws on published contemporary accounts, published and unpublished diaries and correspondence, and other sources to describe the experiences of white women of the North and South, African-American women born free or in slavery, Native American women, Mexican-American women, frontier women of the west, and immigrant women. Most of the entries cite individual women, but others look at such topics as bread rebellions, Fort Sumter, and girlhood and adolescence. Each suggests further reading. Distributed in the US by Taylor and Francis. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Nancy Zachary - VOYA

The effect of the Civil War on women's lives is explored in this methodical, expert, readable reference source. Examining only the years 1861 through 1865, biographical sketches and thematic essays choose women from regions of the United States, races, social classes, and ethnic groups. It is clear that extensive research into primary source material provides each essay, which range from four hundred to four thousand words, details of daily life as well as the political and social structure of the times. History students, writers, and the casual researcher will benefit from the clear narrative style of the 128 essays that cover many topics including business women, family life, girlhood and adolescence, prostitutes, refugees, and western women, to biographical essays of a wide selection of pivotal figures including Sara Slater, Maria Mitchell, Vinnie Ream, Sarah Parker Redmond, Harriet Jacobs, Fanny Kemble, and Clara Brown. This reviewer was struck by the comprehensive nature of each essay, noting selected readings, cross references to relevant topics, and direct quotations and photographs when applicable. Personally enjoyable were pieces on government girls, Women's Central Association of Relief, draft riots, and contraband women for their informative presentations. Harper accounts for historical perspective and diversity of viewpoint on a particular person or group of women, and she delivers facts, folklore, and contemporary thought with precision and clarity. This tool is essential for Civil War studies in middle schools and high schools. 2004, Routledge, 496p.; Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Further Reading., PLB. Ages 11 to Adult.

Judith E. Harper is an independent scholar and professional writer specializing in American history. She is the author of Susan B. Anthony: A Biographical Companion and African-Americans During the Revolutionary War. She has contributed articles to the Encyclopedia of New England Culture, the Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, Gay and Lesbian Biography and Feminist Writers.