Women in the American Civil War

Thoroughly 'user friendly', Women in the American Civil War is a seminal and important contribution to the growing library of Civil War reference literature and an important, core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library collections. * Midwest Book Review * An accessible and easy to use reference work that should find a welcome home in both academic and larger public libraries. * Against the Grain * Recommended for academic libraries, especially those specializing in women's studies and Civil War history, and for larger public libraries. * Booklist * Recommended. Academic and public library collections; lower- and upper-level undergraduates, general readers. * Choice * Recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries. * ARBA * For schools with research projects on women during this time period, this is a solid reference with information beyond most resources on this topic. * Library Media Connection * Lisa Tendrich Frank's ambitious Women in the American Civil War is a well-conceived, richly illustrated encyclopedia, written in clear and concise prose, that I can imagine being put to many uses, from reference source to gift. The work achieves its goals, which are, first, to 'detail the experiences of women during the American Civil War without necessarily glorifying them' -- although there is still a little glorification -- and second, to reveal 'the centrality of the Civil War to the lives of American women and American Society.' [] The primary source collection is a slam dunk. Here, Frank carefully balances her sources, alternating between South and North, standards and surprises. * Journal of Southern History * One of the most impressive features is the encyclopedia's extensive 28-page bibliography of scholarly books, journal articles, and published primary resources, like diaries and journals. This bibliography is certain to be a useful tool for students, researchers, and educators. While certainly developed with an academic audience in mind, the encyclopedia entries are approachable and are enhanced with many interesting illustrations. Along with the additional features this set offers (e.g., chronology, primary documents), this set may appeal to a wider audience, including general and high school users. * ARBA * Books with substantial content relating to women's roles in our history are hard to come by. Women in the American Civil War is a most welcome addition . . . The text is extremely friendly to the high school reader and I wish I had this set years ago! An important addition to any high school collection with a strong history focus. * Pennsylvania School Librarians Association *

Lisa Tendrich Frank, PhD, is an independent scholar in Coral Springs, FL. Her published works include numerous articles on Southern women during the American Civil War.