PDF Ersatz in the Confederacy: Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront (Southern Classics) by Mary Elizabeth Massey in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Chicory?By David CWhile more focused on the substitutes and ersatz commonly used in the South during the period of the Confederacy than the "Refugee Life in the Confederacy" by the same author; the overall impact was more along lines of the social impact of dislocation and deprivation than actual substitutes. Reading "Refugee"; then this book will fill the bowl of curiousity; but lack the savor of impact on the great mass of people affected. The papers and diaries used as references described the impact on the more educated classes and those with sufficient importance be be followed by the newspapers. The reactions among the poor and how they adapted are still to be told. Still; informative as background for historian and modern day readers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Women's part in the duration of the Civil WarBy ZoiderellaFascinating information on how the cleverness and frugality of women factored into the duration of the Civil War. Lots of details; stories; antidotes based on facts; letters; personal reports and newspapers. I did not know how much the Germans were involved in running the stockades. I am only about 1/4 through the book but it is an interesting read that I savor after having read many books on battles; conflicts and analysis of the war.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Hardship in the SouthBy John F KilpatrickMy wife wanted this book because it was recommended to her as a way to learn about what substitutions one might use if society collapses. I did not find it very useful for that. I did get two ideas that I will investigate. One might be important.The book does tell about the overwhelming hardships on the people of the South imposed by the war. Part of the problem for the South was that most of what they used was not locally produced. That is far more true today. One of the biggest; if not the biggest factor in how a society does in war or disaster is the strength of their industrial base. The US today has destroyed its industrial base. People say that does not matter because of US military production but most of us are civilians and need things to survive. Food is barely available at the best times today. People eat food products that come from very distant places. In the South when the transportation system broke down; even when food was available; it could not be distributed. This happened very early in the war. We are very vulnerable this way today. We depend on electricity and gas for shipping. If something happens to these systems the whole transportation system is down in a day or two. In a few days there is no food. Something to think about. We have not learned a thing from the tragedy in the South. I guess we deserve what we get.The US blockaded the South and this eventually prevented people from having food; medicine; shelter; clothes; cleaning supplies and everything else. The US has used the same strategy against the people in the middle east. We hear about half a million babies dead from the economic sanctions and it is very abstract. This book puts a human face on these figures and helps you understand the suffering of an innocent and helpless civilian population.Massey does not interject judgment. The book is based on diaries; letters; newspaper articles; etc. from the war period. It is non-political and does not take sides. I am a Southerner and to my mind it highlights the mistakes of the Southern governments and people and downplays the actions of the US. It is important to us to realize that the US government and people are still making the same mistakes today while not under pressure that the Southern governments and people made then under extreme hardships.It is not quite appropriate to say one enjoys a book like this if you do not have a disturbed mind. I did find the book interesting and had a hard time putting it down. I doubt you will get many specific survival ideas but you will learn a lot about what it is like when supply systems break down. This is not a typical war book. It is the story of women when the war is where you live. My guess is that it could apply to any war or disaster at any time in history. I highly recommend this book.