A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War) (Paperback)

by Ina Chang (Author) "Angelina Grimke grew up in Charleston..." (more)
Key Phrases: women nurses, South Carolina, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Civil War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-- Chang introduces many familiar names, such as Harriet Tubman, Belle Boyd, and Clara Barton, as well as women who rolled bandages at home, nursed injured soldiers near the front, or fought disguised as men. Through her use of primary-source materials such as letters and diaries, the author personalizes this history without whitewashing it. She also captures the prejudice faced by those women with nerve enough to assist in the war effort in a more public way, especially their poor treatment by men. In one of the most vivid passages, she describes Sojourner Truth facing down an audience of hostile men and bringing them to their feet cheering. The black-and-white archival photographs and reproductions are excellent, some showing how women continued to be portrayed as ``delicate and demure'' even though their work required determination and energy. This is valuable addition to American history and women's studies collections. --Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
In the ``Young Readers' History of the Civil War'' series, a survey of women's many roles, vividly illuminated with dozens of personal stories of both the famous and the obscure. Beginning with abolitionist Angelina Grimk‚, who was born a wealthy South Carolinian but moved to Philadelphia because she abhorred slavery, Chang introduces several other prewar ``Voices for Freedom,'' both black and white, from North and South. Succeeding chapters discuss ``Supplying the Armies'' (not just with sewing skills but with organizational genius); doctors and nurses who had to endure male doctors' prejudices in addition to the appalling hospital conditions; clever and courageous spies and the many women, some never revealed, who posed as men to serve as soldiers; trials and sorrows on the home front, including taking on men's roles and coping with shortages (there were bread riots all over the South); and, finally, the aftermath, when Angelina Grimk‚ reappears to discover that she has half-black nephews, put them through college and graduate school, and declare that ``these young men...far exceed in talents any of my other Grimk‚ nephews.'' Archival photos and engravings, maps, broadsides, cartoons, and boxed treatment of special topics are all skillfully chosen to support the fascinating, well-organized text. This book is Chang's debut: a splendid achievement. Bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140381066
• ISBN-13: 978-0140381061
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars REAL GIRL POWER!, November 2, 1999

By	Diana ([e-mail]) (Lakeland, Florida) - See all my reviews

I bought this book while working on a Women's History project for college and also to help with Civil War living history presentations. Because this book is for young readers I have not used if for much more than an overview and to point out photographs (which are wonderful) during my presentations. However, I recommend this book for any young reader interested in history or teacher wishing to include more women into the curriculum. It gives a great overview of women's roles during the Civil War, how their lives changes, what roles they took on, and what struggles they endured! Now that is GIRL POWER!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction format will grab the most apprehensive reader, July 17, 2004

By	Teacher Friend "middleschoolssteacher" (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

The text looks at the famous and not so famous women who participated in the Civil War. It is written in a narrative format, more like a fictional text than a non-fiction. The book is filled with original pictures and short informational biographies of the most important women featured. The illustrations are very large and would be nice to use with an opaque projector when speaking about some of the women or events covered in the book. I also think it would be an excellent book for independent reading due to the format.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars civil war pic, May 9, 2002

A Kid's Review

this book has tons of info on women and nurses in the Civil WAr