Civil War Women: The Civil War Seen Through Women's Eyes in Stories by Louisa May Alcott and others

by Frank D. McSherry Jr.

Stories deal with the experiences of women during the Civil War

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Civil War, Womens, American Civil War

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking. I didn't care for a couple of the stories (King and Welty), but the others were very good.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never really thought about what happened to the women (during the Civil War), to all those women who stayed at home with their children when all hell broke loose. How they lost everything, their spouses, their possessions like clothing, food, homes. Women were volunteering in the make shift hospitals, using their finest linens and any cloth to wash out wounds or for tourniquets; by either trying to nurse some back to health or to help those who were dying to a peaceful death. The smell of dead bodies in ditches in the very field where her husband courted her. Lack of food, and the threat of rape on both white and african american females by soldiers. All of these tragic stories written by famous women writers such as Louisa May Alcott, Kate Chopin, Eudora Welty, Constance Fenimore Woolson and many more.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A though-provoking collection of stories focusing on women during the Civil War and also all written by women. Most of the them were written during the war or shortly thereafter, although the last one, "The Burning" by Eudora Welty, was written quite a bit later. Some, such as "The Brothers" by Louisa May Alcott and " "Comrades" by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, are quite good, showing women being a vital part of the war in terms of nursing and support, while some of the others, "Bayou l'Ombre" by Grace King and the Welty story, for example, are a bit more tedious or precious. A bit of a mixed bag, but a different slant to Civil War fiction.

[Jenb500 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smart collection of women's stories about their role and perspective
in the dangerous time. Louisa May Alcott's story is an intense and wellwritten
story about the heroism of Civil War nurses. The other stories reflect
less extraordinary acts of heroism...like, being a thin, hungry and hope starved
mother with three children hearing Lincoln's Gettysburg address.

Super short read for any one interested in Civil War era issues and womens' perception of them.

[Lorraine Tosiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of short stories about the civil war, as seen through the eyes of women. Women who lost loved ones, women who burned to join the fight, and women who finally tasted freedom from slavery.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a different slant to Civil War fiction.

[Donna Stuedeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read short stories written by women who were there.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great to read about multiple sides of the Civil War from a woman’s view point. Some of the short stories were fantastic, some just entertaining.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from Skye.
So good! It was very interesting to read about Union and Confederate women alike and their different perspectives, but equal passion for the cause. Especially interesting when they gave their viewpoint on the other side's soldiers.

[Miami University Libraries]

King Library (2nd floor) | PS648.C54 C54 1988

[Jess]

I think this was renamed and used to be "Civil War Women II."

[Nancy Schneiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in Lexington, VA shortly after it came out in 1990. Wane and I were in town looking for a house. I finally read it in the bedroom of said house in December 2012.