Barbara Frietchie

by John Greenleaf Whittier

An illustrated edition of the poem describing Barbara Fritchie's dramatic stand with the Union flag against the rebel troops invading her town

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets. Whittier was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful rendering of Whittier’s 1863 poem. The book is made even more memorable by Nancy Winslow Parker’s wonderful illustrations. I highly recommend it to anyone who has spent inordinate amounts of time pondering over too many quaint and curious volumes of forgotten lore (apologies to Edgar Allan Poe). You’ll be refreshed.

[Ai-Ling Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Frederick, Maryland, 1862, just before the Battle of Antietam, the Confederate Army supposedly marched by the house of elderly Barbara Freitchie. The Union sympathizer waved the flag to Gen. Stonewall Jackson's displeasure. The Whittier poem is ably illustrated for schoolchildren by Nancy Winslow Parker.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barbara Frietchie, by John Greenleaf Whittier

Fanciful take on an ugly time of histoty - the US Civil War **

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your country’s flag,” she said.

[Barbara Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poem may not be historically accurate, but it is good. This books includes a few pages describing the actual event that inspired the poem, and some notes on who Stonewall Jackson and John Greenleaf Whittier were.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

if i'd read the paul galdone version i'd probably rate it 4 or 5 stars