Bushwhackers adds to the growing body of literature that examines the various irregular conflicts that took place during the American Civil War. Author Joseph M. Beilein Jr. looks at the ways in which several different bands of guerrillas across Missouri conducted their war in concert with their house- holds and their female kin who provided logistical support in many forms. Whether noted fighters like Frank James; William Clarke Quantrill; and “Bloody Bill†Anderson; or less well-known figures such as Clifton Holtzclaw and Jim Jackson; Beilein provides a close examination of how these warriors imagined themselves as fighters; offering a brand-new interpretation that gets us closer to seeing how the men and women who participated in the war in Missouri must have understood it.Beilein answers some of the tough questions: Why did men fight as guerrillas? Where did their tactics come from? What were their goals? Why were they so successful? Bushwhackers demonstrates that the guerrilla war in Missouri was not just an opportunity to settle antebellum feuds; nor was it some collective plummet by society into a state of chaotic bloodshed. Rather; the guerrilla war was the only logical response by men and women in Missouri; and one that was more in keeping with their worldview than the conventional warfare of the day.As guerrilla conflicts rage around the world and violence remains closely linked with masculine identity here in America; this look into the past offers timely insight into our modern world and several of its current struggles.
#2924683 in Books Coffeetown Press 2009-04-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .50 x 6.00l; .67 #File Name: 1603810218200 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting ReadBy CustomerI really liked this book! The author paints such a vivid picture of an addictive personality through Mary Todd Lincoln. We are currently having an opioid add I tion crisis in the USA; not that much different than what we experienced in the 1800's. Those who forget the past. . .Mary Todd Lincoln is such a tragic historical figure. The very real possibility of her addiction now makes sense of ererratic ; mood swings and other personality traits.The author illustrates by example the extreme need to procure these drugs for survival. Not having an addictive personality having these examples helps foster understanding in the add I tion processes in my own family.I recommend this book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Understanding MaryBy Patricia C. StendalThis is an extremely important book. I hope it is read by many people. Poor maligned Mary Todd Lincoln may have been a drug addict. In her day; laudanum; an alcoholic solution containing morphine; prepared from opium. was given to patients; primarily women; for severe headaches. Doctors and druggists did not yet realize the addictive quality of this medication. It is documented that Mary Lincoln as a young woman in Springfield; IL suffered with severe headaches; probably migraine. Later in the White House; Mary was infamous for her erratic behavior. Ms Beidler theorizes that she was probably either high on laudanum or wild with withdrawal symptoms. An interesting note is that the Grants; Julia and Ulysses; had been invited to the Ford theater with the Lincolns that fateful night of the assassination. Unknown to any of them; General Grant was also on the hit list of the murderers; but Julia turned down the invitation saying; "I refuse to spend the evening with that crazy Mary Lincoln." So the Grants got into their buggy and left Washington; thus saving the general's life. Julia's comment illustrates the opinion that other people of that time had of Mary. In addition to all his other burdens with the Civil War; etc.; Abe had to try to keep Mary under control. We have all felt so sorry for him having to contend with "Crazy Mary;" but now Beidler's research indicates that Mary was most likely struggling a lonely struggle with drug addiction. Later after the tragic assassination; Mary really went off her rocker. Robert; her oldest and only living son; tried to help her. He took her to Springfield; but her behavoir became so erratic that he committed her to an asylum for the insane. Robert has been judged very severely for this act; but Ms. Beidler explains it for us. Men of the day if they became addicted; usually to alcohol; had center of treatment dedicated to their rehabilitation. There were no such places for women. Addicted women; if the family couldn't handle them and their addictions; we sent to the insane asylum. Mary did not stay there long. In something like four months she proved her sanity and was released. Sadly; she did not stay sane. She knocked around Europe for several years; Beidler postulates that she was probably looking for doctors who would give her laudanum. Then she returned to her sister's home in Illinois and soon died. She was never reconciled with Robert again. I have only given you highlights here. This amazing book will open your eyes to a major problem among middle class; middle aged women in the mid 20th century. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the history of this era or the history of social work. Ms. Beidler is to be commended on her research and application. I give it 5 stars.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Addiction of Mary Todd LincolnBy Diana EardleyI could not stop reading this amazing story. I highly recommend it. This book should be a mandatory read to those who are prescribing opiates and some people who just don't take the drugs as required. It is a delima. At first the opiates help with the pain; then with long time abuse; the pain is no longer being treated; and creates more pain. Mary Todd Lincoln is thought to have also been suffering from Bi-Polar Disorder. That makes sense. When she is in a manic high; she over spends; she entertains over the top and causes her husband no end of problems. Then when something bad happens; as when her son dies in the White House; she has no grasp on reality to get her through and the roller coaster of emotions and the opiates take her into a deep depression.How Mary was able to function at all is beyond me. She seems to become an inconvenient bother; by many who judged her. Mrs. Keckley; who was her malatto dress maker; friend and confidant. was the only person she could truely depend on. And in a way; as Elizabeth Keckley put it; paraphrasing; she was the only one who gave her positive re-enforcement by telling her; "You are courageous". Somewhere in her deluded mind there was still some part of the independent young woman who was going to marry a president.I think everyone in this sad; co-dependent scenerio; were doing their best; to take care of Mary. Unfortunately; the long abuse of a the opiates; that were given to her regularly; and with No Betty Ford Clinics in sight; her family and friend had to make do with what they had. That was deeming her leagaly insane; putting her in an Insane Assylum and quieting her outbursts with Morphine. What a tragedy for the pretty young woman who was bright; politically savvy and was from a well to do family with money and the means to have the world at her feet.I hope you like it as much as I did. Diana
