A review by mamalemma
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott
4.0
Interesting tale of four women who worked as spies during the Civil War. Two spied for the Union, two for the Confederacy. While I recognize that victors write the history, the women selected for the book followed a definite pattern: the Union women were noble, while the Confederate women were coy and manipulative. I hated them -- truly, they made me angry, despite the years of distance between us. While the Unionists used their intellect to outwit the Confederates, the Confederate women used their looks and charm. "You wouldn't harm a poor, helpless woman, now would you?" Puh-leez.
The stories, nonetheless, were fascinating. In particular, Elizabeth's Union underground operation out of the Confederate capital of Richmond was pretty astounding, and she was never forgiven by her neighbors.
As an aside, I listened to this on several trips between the D.C. area and Richmond area, and much of the book took place along that route, in places I was seeing, so the timing was great.
Recommended reading for history buffs and people who like bad-ass women.
The stories, nonetheless, were fascinating. In particular, Elizabeth's Union underground operation out of the Confederate capital of Richmond was pretty astounding, and she was never forgiven by her neighbors.
As an aside, I listened to this on several trips between the D.C. area and Richmond area, and much of the book took place along that route, in places I was seeing, so the timing was great.
Recommended reading for history buffs and people who like bad-ass women.