In this engrossing and informative companion to her New York Times bestsellers Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty; Cokie Roberts marks the sesquicentennial of the Civil War by offering a riveting look at Washington; D.C. and the experiences; influence; and contributions of its women during this momentous period of American history.With the outbreak of the Civil War; the small; social Southern town of Washington; D.C. found itself caught between warring sides in a four-year battle that would determine the future of the United States.After the declaration of secession; many fascinating Southern women left the city; leaving their friends—such as Adele Cutts Douglas and Elizabeth Blair Lee—to grapple with questions of safety and sanitation as the capital was transformed into an immense Union army camp and later a hospital. With their husbands; brothers; and fathers marching off to war; either on the battlefield or in the halls of Congress; the women of Washington joined the cause as well. And more women went to the Capital City to enlist as nurses; supply organizers; relief workers; and journalists. Many risked their lives making munitions in a highly flammable arsenal; toiled at the Treasury Department printing greenbacks to finance the war; and plied their needlework skills at The Navy Yard—once the sole province of men—to sew canvas gunpowder bags for the troops.Cokie Roberts chronicles these women's increasing independence; their political empowerment; their indispensable role in keeping the Union unified through the war; and in helping heal it once the fighting was done. She concludes that the war not only changed Washington; it also forever changed the place of women.Sifting through newspaper articles; government records; and private letters and diaries—many never before published—Roberts brings the war-torn capital into focus through the lives of its formidable women.
#828994 in Books 2011-06-07 2011-06-07Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.33 x 6.00l; 1.29 #File Name: 0061958867432 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. American mythBy Jonathan Weller“The Whites of Their Eyes: Bunker Hill; the First American Army; and the Emergence of George Washington†is a rather in-depth account of the leading up to; and subsequent battle of Bunker Hill; as well as the appointment of George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army besieging Boston in 1775. The book covers a great majority of the year 1775; and gives hints at what would eventually happen in 1776 and beyond.Since I was a little child the Battle of Bunker Hill has long fascinated me because of its story of the upstart and ill trained Americans; being able to not only fight the more professional British soldiers; but to fight till the bitter end in some instances. The fact remains that the Americans were not outright defeated by the British; but only began falling back after their ammunition supply had been exhausted. Incredible story; no? That is the topic of this book by Paul Lockhart; and he does a tremendous and detailed work on the battle; and its subsequent meaning throughout the rest of the war. Lockhart lays out his work with precision and research that easily allow you to see the amount of love and effort that he put into his work on the battle. The book is engrossing and riveting; and often times makes you feel like you have a musket and you are standing behind the defenses waiting for the Brits to scale the hill. The book is a terrific glance at this American mythological battle; and provides a pathway to see why this underdog was able to scrap with; and eventually defeat a much bigger junkyard dog.While this work is truly engrossing for any fan of the Revolutionary American period; fans of more overview history may want to pass on this book. The author is extremely dedicated to his love of the period; and often goes really deep into detail. I had no issue with his depth; but some may find it to be a bit too deep for their liking.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Must read!By TOM OWENSI have a Master's in history and have read this book through twice. It is outstanding. The preface contains some of the most moving writing I have encountered since Bruce Canton's A Stillness at Appomattox.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Great Read Which Really Brings The Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution to LifeBy RJ StokelyThe Whites of Their Eyes: Bunker Hill; the First American Army; and the Emergence of George Washington is a good read for anyone interested in military or US History. Lockhart not only shows how and why Washington became the ultimate choice to lead the continental army; but demonstrates Washington's role during the siege at Boston. Boston itself is shown as a different place than it is today; as locations changed for different buildings and other purposes - all within 50 years. These changes in location and atmosphere are made very clear. Lockhart; while perhaps a bit technical at times (his descriptions of locations; and some of the more technical aspects of the Battle of Bunker Hill and events leading to it can get a bit tiresome) shows an excellent study of the unsung heroes of the revolution. The Whites of their Eyes provides detail into the lives of many men who are rarely discussed in classrooms but should be. The lives of Israel Putnam (who sounds like the basis for Natty Bumpo); Joseph Warren; William Prescott; and John Stark. These men were not only amazingly brave; but had great stories. Lockhart brings these stories to life; to the point that the reader feels they know these men. A great read; I would highly recommend it.
