Amazon.com: America's First Woman Warrior: The Courage of Deborah Sampson (9781557785145): Alma H. Bond, Lucy Freeman: Books

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1782 a 22-year-old Massachusetts farm girl disguised to avoid repetition, "distinguished herself" follows/good fix.gs as a 17-year-old boy if she's a girl at 22, then a she's a boy at 17 distinguished herself for bravery as a ranger and general's aide-de-camp for the next 18 months in the Continental Army. In their well-researched, novelistic biography, Freeman ( Fight Against Fear ) and psychoanalyst Bond ( Who Killed Virginia Woolf? ) recreate dialogue and describe their heroine's emotions as they theorize about her mixed patriotic and psychological motivations, discussing also recurring nightmares. Despite constant fear of discovery, Deborah Sampson, known as Robert Shurtliff, was an excellent soldier can you rephrase? the sexist language of marksman is particular awkward here; "was an excellent soldier"? and successfully adjusted to the war's primitive conditions, training and battles. The discovery of her ruse by a doctor treating her for fever near war's end brought praise from the military and the first congressional award of a war pension to a woman. Sampson later married and gave lectures about her experiences. Her story provides valuable insights into Revolutionary War history. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In 1782, disguised as a man, Deborah Sampson joined the Continental Army, where she fought, was wounded, and managed to conceal her identity nearly to the war's end and her discharge in 1783. This should make for an exciting biography, especially with today's controversy regarding women in the military. Unfortunately, this book falls far short of expectations. The writing is overly simplistic, and the lack of notes often makes it difficult to separate fact from "fictionalized fact." In addition, inconsistencies occur: first Deborah almost drowns as "she had never learned to swim," yet later she is "swimming . . . against the mammoth waves and fierce currents." The greatest disservice, however, is the Freudian psychosexual analysis of childhood "traumas" that allegedly led to her enlistment. The attempt to psychoanalyze Sampson and interpret her dreams and experiences across nearly 200 years is an injustice to both the living and the dead. Not recommended.
- Kathleen L. Atwood, Pomfret Sch. Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Alma H. Bond Page

My 19th book, Michelle Obama, a Biography, will be be published by Greenwood Press in February, 2012. Jackie O: On the Couch, was just published by Bancroft Press. Some PR about the book:
"In this fascinating psycho-biography, psychoanalyst Dr. Alma H. Bond takes us into the eloquent and complex mind of the unforgettable Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. A much-remembered fashion icon throughout the 1960s, and famously reticent first lady of the assassinated president, John F. Kennedy, her voice is finally available for readers. Exploring Onassis's lavish but demanding upbringing, two marriages, and one final relationship, Bond proves that this mysterious woman's voice is worth listening to. In addition, the book demonstrates how this glamorous but grieving widow deserves the appreciation and respect she did not always receive during her lifetime. Written in the first-person, Jackie O: On the Couch demonstrates convincingly what Onassis's voice would have been like if she had actually written an autobiography. The reader discovers how this woman distinguished herself as a dedicated wife and mother, and later, as a hard-working and devote d book editor. Onassis lived through some of the most important times of history and attempted to pick up the pieces of her life after frequent mourning, and sometimes frequent media criticism. Fleshed out beautifully through descriptions and sentiments, this alluring icon's identity is, ultimately, fully and finally unveiled to readers--it is a gem of a book that many readers the world over will find irresistible."

-Clara RobertsTowson, MD

I am now hard at work on Lady Macbeth: On the Couch. Freud said that nobody knows why she helped Macbeth to kill King Duncan. To find out why, read the book.
All my future biographies will be published under the brand, On the Couch, by Bancroft Press. Many of my earlier biographies will be republished under that brand name.