Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly Enjoyable, January 22, 2012
This review is from: Civil War Wives: The Lives and Times of Angelina Grimke Weld, Varina Howell Davis, and Julia Dent Grant (Borzoi Books) (Hardcover)
This is an incredible read. Normally, when I read nonfiction/history books, I would often find my eyes crossing while reading different names and places among the mumble and jumbles ... but not this time. This author, Ms. Berkin, has brought these three women (that I really didn't know anything about) and their differences and unique temperaments alive in these pages. The only thing these women have in common is the fact that they were born and raised in slave-holding families of the South. The Civil War affected each of them in different ways. They all were married to famous men, strong leaders in their own rights. History is often mute on the subject of women and how they view wars in their lifetimes. Ms. Berkin brought these women's voices alive. I have to say that I really enjoyed getting to know each of these women in these pages. I would now think that Mrs. Weld is really the forerunner of the feminism movement that took off in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She and her sister were fighting hard in their days to allow their voices to be heard. They also balanced traditional housewifery chores alongside with raising kids and teaching their kids as well as other kids ... bringing the realities of housewifery as a lot of work back then across to the modern readers (I definitely appreciate my washer and dryer now!). It never occurred to them or to Mrs. Weld's husband, that there is a need for balancing the housework along with going on the lecture circuit among the three of them. It is an interesting biography to read. Mrs. Davis is a strong woman tempered by her genteel upbringing where women are encouraged to think that their husbands are the mainstays of the household and yet she struggled with it since she was a very intelligent woman. She fought at having to control her naturally inquisitive mind and to keep in check so she wouldn't inflame her husband, who expected a more traditional woman. Mrs. Davis, as an intelligent woman, has fought against those restraints that society has put on women, and yet tried to surrender herself to it. It was not an easy fight, especially when she never got support from anyone especially from the man she married. She is admirable in fighting for her husband's release after the war's end. Mrs. Grant was not brought up to be educated or radical thinker and even her husband, U.S. Grant didn't encourage her to be a smart woman, but in her own way, she was just as unassuming as her husband was. Her main goal was to keep her Uyls happy and her children nourished and loved. Mrs. Grant brought smiles to everyone even though she was not a beautiful woman, but she was kind. It was really enjoyable reading her biography in these pages. I cannot believe how much I enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it for anyone who is interested in history especially history of strong women!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Deep Look Into The Lives of American Civil War Women, January 12, 2010
This review is from: Civil War Wives: The Lives and Times of Angelina Grimke Weld, Varina Howell Davis, and Julia Dent Grant (Borzoi Books) (Hardcover)
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a woman during the Civil War, especially one who wanted rights and freedom at a time when women were second class citizens? Carol Berkin delves into these questions in her well researched book Civil War Wives: The Lives & Times of Angela Grimke Weld, Virginia Howell Davis, and Julia Dent Grant. These women led vastly different lives, yet they all had one thing in common. They were strong and opinionated women who challenged their society's view of a women's place and made a big difference in their communities. The woman who stood out the most to me was Varina Howell Davis, the wife of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis fell in love with Varina for her sparky personality, but disproved of her behavior once they married. Why couldn't she just be a good, obedient wife? She had opinions about politics and vocally opposed some of her husband's political moves. Jefferson Davis was so unhappy with his wife's opposition that he declared she was a "difficult person to grow fond of" and concluded that her behavior must be caused by pregnancy hormones. Despite her husband's resistance, Varina continued to develop her personal political beliefs and became an expert political lobbyist for her husband's eventual release from prison. This book is full of interesting facts, amusing stories, and detailed research. It's an interesting read for anyone who loves Civil War history. I found it rather tedious to read through and read it in short intervals. However, it is definitely worth the effort. Weld, Davis, and Grant's stories will touch your heart and leave you a more informed person than you were before this book fell into your hands. by Jennifer Melville for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Civil War Wives, January 10, 2012
I enjoyed this book, it was well written and interesting. There were two glaring errors in the text though that make me question the research. On page 165 she refers to William McClellan's Peninsular Campaign. Uh, that would be George B. McClellan not William, arghhh. Later on page 279, Salmon Chase is referred to as Samuel Chase. These errors are glaring to anyone with even a passing interest in the history of the American Civil War and I was shocked to see them. Don't know whether to blame the publisher or the author but it makes me suspicious of the fact checking done on this publication.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
