Karen Abbott; the New York Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and “pioneer of sizzle history†(USA Today); tells the spellbinding true story of four women who risked everything to become spies during the Civil War.Karen Abbott illuminates one of the most fascinating yet little known aspects of the Civil War: the stories of four courageous women—a socialite; a farmgirl; an abolitionist; and a widow—who were spies.After shooting a Union soldier in her front hall with a pocket pistol; Belle Boyd became a courier and spy for the Confederate army; using her charms to seduce men on both sides. Emma Edmonds cut off her hair and assumed the identity of a man to enlist as a Union private; witnessing the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The beautiful widow; Rose O’Neale Greenhow; engaged in affairs with powerful Northern politicians to gather intelligence for the Confederacy; and used her young daughter to send information to Southern generals. Elizabeth Van Lew; a wealthy Richmond abolitionist; hid behind her proper Southern manners as she orchestrated a far-reaching espionage ring; right under the noses of suspicious rebel detectives.Using a wealth of primary source material and interviews with the spies’ descendants; Abbott seamlessly weaves the adventures of these four heroines throughout the tumultuous years of the war. With a cast of real-life characters including Walt Whitman; Nathaniel Hawthorne; General Stonewall Jackson; detective Allan Pinkerton; Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln; and Emperor Napoleon III; Liar; Temptress; Soldier; Spy draws you into the war as these daring women lived it.Liar; Temptress; Soldier; Spy contains 39 black photos and 3 maps.
#210571 in Books Madeleine Albright 2013-02-19 2013-02-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.08 x 5.31l; .0 #File Name: 0062030345480 pagesPrague Winter A Personal Story of Remembrance and War 1937 1948
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is the first book by Madeleine Albright that I ...By Constance J. WellnitzThis is the first book by Madeleine Albright that I have read. I was impressed with her cogent style of writing and how she wove her story through the larger narrative and had it make sense as a part of that story; and not something just grafted on. Having lived there for a short time I understood some of what she talked about in terms of national viewpoint and feelings toward Germans. During that time (in the former Sudentenland); it was the 50th anniversary of WWII and there was a lot of emotion running high concerning reparations to those families forced to leave at the end; this book was very helpful in giving much of what was going on around me at that time a context. I had learned the bare bones of the issues from the people I got to know; but this book provided a lot of material to fill in the many holes and questions that lingered.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I loved seeing the pictures in the paper formBy JCBPThe content was not only an insight into history; but written in a very personal conversational way. I loved seeing the pictures in the paper form. The one I got was personally autographed10 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent readBy Lisa RiemersmaConsidering that I am a history buff; especially concerning the WW2 years in Europe; naturally; I enjoyed this book tremendously. This is not a history book per se; but rather a family biography of those years but does touch on many facts of those times; especially pertaining to (the former) Czechoslovakia's role. One could even consider this a mini history lesson on Czechoslovakia's history; but written in a personal manner that makes it pleasant to learn. Good subject material and well written.I give it an A rating.
