Customer Reviews

MEMOIRS OF A SOLDIER, NURSE, AND SPY: A WOMAN'S ADVENTURES IN THE UNION ARMY

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found the first two thirds of this book exciting and very interesting, the author certainly was a brave lady who played a significant part in the Civil War (masquerading as a man). Just how significant is open to debate as some historians say her claims are embroidered.

Anyway, I started to lose interest towards the end of the book as it got a bit weighed down with factual information such as letters from Generals etc about the Civil War, which I am inclined to think the author added to add weight to her elaborated claims about her involvement as a spy! Regardless it is an exciting read, and a good historical account of battles during the Civil War.

A beautifully written and heartbreaking account of Emma Edmonds' experiences during the first two years of the Civil War. It's been said that some aspects have been exaggerated or blown out of proportion, but I went into reading this with the expectation that she would had a slant towards making herself look good and making those she didn't like look bad. I was surprised. She refrains from name calling her enemies, and even when she complains about someone's behavior, she does so delicately and diplomatically. She relates stories about other people, and I have chocked up during some of them, like when she talks about a nurse who refused to leave his patients even if it meant he would be captured by the Confederate Army.She reminds us that even the Confederates are humans and expresses her wish that the war would end so people can stop suffering and hurting each other, even as she faces the opposite side's army with pistols drawn. I bought the book to help me in researching Civil War era women spies, and her details and explanations helped me understand what went into spying before James Bond was created.In between thrilling stories about her adventures as a spy, and emotion churning stories about those she watched suffer the effects of the war, she finds optimistic stories to share to remind us to see the good in life.

This is an original source for Civil War History, and it's been meticulously documented with endnotes that set the text in context of what else was happening at the time. Amazing job on the part of the 20th century editor, and facinating reading for the history buff or researcher alike.

I have in my possesion a leather bound with goldleaf letters on the cover(somewhat faded). A first edition which I purchased in Michigan in 1969. Emmas's story is profound. It provided quite an insight into the civil war and I have no doubt as to the veracity of the story. It interests me as she is a Canadian from New Brunswick, and I believe it would make an interesting series and could well become a Candian "content" movies for Global/ CTV/ CBC.

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