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My Imprisonment And The First Year Of Abolition Rule At Washington
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
- GenresMemoir
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 10, 2013
A somewhat incomplete and biased view of the early Civil War...I wish Rose had revealed her sources (knowing that she couldn't, of course) and that her story could have been more fleshed out by talking about her life before the war and how she came to be a spy for the Confederacy. Also, Rose's memoirs are the first I've come across from that contemporary period with really appalling levels of racism, though prison does bring out the worst in everyone.
June 12, 2023
Rose Greenhow’s memoir following her release from imprisonment for spying for the Confederacy is an excellent example the mindsets and rationalization of those trying to break up the United States. Emily Lapisardi’s excellent annotation improves on that insight.
Greenhow is erudite and connected, seemingly having insinuated herself into pre-Civil War political society. She is on intimate terms with so many of the political leaders of both the North and the South that one starts to wonder if she is exaggerating; yet there are letters and records backing her up. She is highly knowledgeable about history, has a sharp wit, and unafraid to write what she thinks. Alas, what she thinks is a blend of delusion and dishonesty, fantasy and fabrication, and reeks of arrogance and treason. She gives insight into the Confederate – and today’s like-minded ilk – of constantly playing the victim, whining about being incarcerated (for a significant part of the time in her own home with her child and access to her personal library and servants) for something she did not do, while simultaneously bragging about doing exactly what she is being accused of doing. She is a case study in how one can convince themselves that they are doing nothing wrong while openly acting against the United States. Her last chapter is particularly intriguing since it states on the first page that the Civil War had nothing to do with slavery, but then spends over thirty pages demonstrating how it had everything to do with slavery. And yet seeing no contradiction.
Lapisardi’s annotations are first rate. She identifies each of the players mentioned by Greenhow, translates the frequent French and occasional Latin words, explains obscure classical references, and provides insight into the relationships, and rumored relationships, with key figures such as Secretary of State William Seward and Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson (not to mention that Greenhow’s daughter is Stephen A. Douglas’s second wife). The annotations convert the often rambling propaganda memoir (written in England in 1863 to help gain British support for the Confederacy) into a useful window into the mind of a Southern spy.
David J. Kent
Author: Lincoln: The Fire of Genius
President: Lincoln Group of DC
Greenhow is erudite and connected, seemingly having insinuated herself into pre-Civil War political society. She is on intimate terms with so many of the political leaders of both the North and the South that one starts to wonder if she is exaggerating; yet there are letters and records backing her up. She is highly knowledgeable about history, has a sharp wit, and unafraid to write what she thinks. Alas, what she thinks is a blend of delusion and dishonesty, fantasy and fabrication, and reeks of arrogance and treason. She gives insight into the Confederate – and today’s like-minded ilk – of constantly playing the victim, whining about being incarcerated (for a significant part of the time in her own home with her child and access to her personal library and servants) for something she did not do, while simultaneously bragging about doing exactly what she is being accused of doing. She is a case study in how one can convince themselves that they are doing nothing wrong while openly acting against the United States. Her last chapter is particularly intriguing since it states on the first page that the Civil War had nothing to do with slavery, but then spends over thirty pages demonstrating how it had everything to do with slavery. And yet seeing no contradiction.
Lapisardi’s annotations are first rate. She identifies each of the players mentioned by Greenhow, translates the frequent French and occasional Latin words, explains obscure classical references, and provides insight into the relationships, and rumored relationships, with key figures such as Secretary of State William Seward and Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson (not to mention that Greenhow’s daughter is Stephen A. Douglas’s second wife). The annotations convert the often rambling propaganda memoir (written in England in 1863 to help gain British support for the Confederacy) into a useful window into the mind of a Southern spy.
David J. Kent
Author: Lincoln: The Fire of Genius
President: Lincoln Group of DC
December 3, 2020
This was a slog. Gave me some things to think about though.
November 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews