Ersatz in the Confederacy: Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront (Southern Classics Series) [Paperback]

Mary Elizabeth Massey (Author), Barbara L. Bellows (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Southern Classics Series | Publication Date: February 1, 1993

Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront. New introduction by Barbara L. Bellows. The definitive study of the South's desparate struggle to overcome critical shortages of food, medicine, clothing, household goods, farming supplies, and tools during the Civil War. 233 pp., softcover.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press; 2nd edition (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872498778
• ISBN-13: 978-0872498778
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,464,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Civil War as you haven't experienced, July 3, 2006

By 

Tammy M. Prater "morganprater" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ersatz in the Confederacy: Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront (Southern Classics Series) (Paperback)

A refreshing look at a war that has been written about ad nauseum. I AM a Civil War Historian and this book is the book that changed the way the war was studied. Before this book, it was all battles and politics and military. This book opened up studies of the homefront and women's roles in the war.

The book is well written and incredibly researched. It's objective and draws definite conclusions about its subject matter. This was also a new method for historians of Massey's era (1940's).

If you have an interest in the war or women's history-- this book is a must have, must read.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading for a dry subject., July 9, 1999

By 

Caroline (Laguna Beach, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ersatz in the Confederacy: Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront (Southern Classics Series) (Paperback)

I love reading about Southerners during the Civil War and their lifestyles and this book filled a void. I was afraid it would be really hard to read and very clinical but Ms. Massey made the subject entertaining as well as enlightening. She has a great style for a history and social studies writer.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Book, May 4, 2006

By 

A. Huff (Corydon, IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ersatz in the Confederacy: Shortages and Substitutes on the Southern Homefront (Southern Classics Series) (Paperback)

The author does a very good job of bringing out the causes and effects of shortages in the southern states. I would recommend to reenactors or anyone who enjoyes history.