A Vast Army of Women : Maine's Uncounted Forces in the American Civil War. [Hardcover]

Lynda L. Sudlow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000 | ISBN-10: 1577470494 | ISBN-13: 978-1577470496 | Edition: 1st

A detailed and revealing exploration of the role played by women of Maine and their organizations in the Civil War. Sudlow spent most of the decade gathering the names of virtually every Maine woman involved in the war. The description of women-run organizations for relief is a revealing model for how women from all states endeavored to support the war effort.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Pubns; 1st edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577470494
• ISBN-13: 978-1577470496
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,570,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Study of CW Women valid for North, August 8, 2000

By 

Debra Miller (Athens, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Vast Army of Women : Maine's Uncounted Forces in the American Civil War. (Hardcover)

A Vast Army of Women not only relates the stories of Maine women and their important contributions to the war effort, but provides some very important contextual information about the formation of the Sanitary Commission. Furthermore, the book discusses the relationship between the Sanitary Commission and the army. Sudlow's history reveals that although unprepared for the casualties of war, the U.S. Army strongly resisted the help of the Sanitary Commission that saved many lives merely because it was from a source outside the military.

Sudlow's research uncovers the tales of women, although having Maine connections, that could have been from anywhere in the northern United States. In fact, one woman lived in Tennessee. These stories, collected from manuscripts and lesser known documents in many cases, highlight the important roles that women filled during the Civil War and in fact may have influenced the outcome of the war. Also, the stories illustrate that although disharmony existed between some of the nurses, many long-lived friendships were formed. Within the biographies included here, a reader can also discern the changing role of women as they took on burdens far greater than the traditional domestic role.

Do not be fooled into thinking that this book is about local history. It reflects northern history during the civil war with its indepth look at Maine women.

This is a very valuable addition to women's history.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read: "A Vast Army of Women", August 25, 2001

By 

Zada Rose (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Vast Army of Women : Maine's Uncounted Forces in the American Civil War. (Hardcover)

What a wonderful job Lyn Sudlow did! This is such an important book, which highlights not only the unsung Civil War heroines of Maine, but represents the "vast" contributions of all of those women who will never be identified, from every State. The book clearly folows their struggle to rise to the unimaginable duty required of them during the War, and how the strengths they exhibited (rewarded, but often not), set the stage for the Suffrage Movement which was to follow. They proved themselves on many levels, and there would be no turning back! I cherished reading about each one of these women, most biographies being accompanied by a photo. The book was thoroughly researched, intelligently written, and well-edited. You don't need to be a historian to love this book! I enjoyed learning about everything from the shapes of the donuts sent to the troops, to the strength, courage and fortitude it took to manage a major medical operation on no budget and scarse supplies. (And, of course, an occasional "cat fight." I wonder how well I would have interacted with Dorothea Dix, whose responsibilities were unfathomable.) Again, this is a great historical contribution. I'm so grateful to Ms. Sudlow for publishing her extensive research, and look forward to her next work!

5.0 out of 5 stars History Buff, March 9, 2010

By 

K. Miles - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Vast Army of Women : Maine's Uncounted Forces in the American Civil War. (Hardcover)

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