“You’ll be swept away by the passion and power of this remarkable, trailblazing woman who risked everything to follow her own heart.” – Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author “An epic page-turner.” – Christina Baker Kline Named Best Fiction Writer in the Austin Chronicle’s “Austin’s Best 2018” Named one of Lone Star Literary Life’s “Top 20 Texas Books of 2018” The compelling, … one of Lone Star Literary Life’s “Top 20 Texas Books of 2018”
The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve with the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.
“Here’s the first thing you need to know about Miss Cathy Williams: I am the daughter of a daughter of a queen and my mama never let me forget it.”
Though born into bondage on a “miserable tobacco farm” in Little Dixie, Missouri, Cathy Williams was never allowed to consider herself a slave. According to her mother, she was a captive, destined by her noble warrior blood to escape the enemy. Her chance at freedom presents itself with the arrival of Union general Phillip Henry “Smash ‘em Up” Sheridan, the outcast of West Point who takes the rawboned, prideful young woman into service. At war’s end, having tasted freedom, Cathy refuses to return to servitude and makes the monumental decision to disguise herself as a man and join the Army’s legendary Buffalo Soldiers.
Alone now in the ultimate man’s world, Cathy must fight not only for her survival and freedom, but she also vows to never give up on finding her mother, her little sister, and the love of the only man strong enough to win her heart. Inspired by the stunning, true story of Private Williams, this American heroine comes to vivid life in a sweeping and magnificent tale about one woman’s fight for freedom, respect and independence.
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What an adventure the life of Cathy Williams was. I lived in constant suspense of whether or not she would be found out(I was stressed out). The characters were well developed overall great historical fiction I couldn’t put it down.
Created a good picture of the times. Historically fascinating.
I listened to this book and if you have the same opportunity to do so, I recommend it highly! The reader is absolutely fantastic! The thing I most enjoyed about this book were the characters. I have read many books about the civil war, about the “buffalo soldiers” and the country after the civil war. Never have I followed one person from the time of emancipation to the journey west and a female at that! Great story, didn’t want it to end. not to repeat myself, but if you can get this on audio, do it!
Written as a first person oral narrative written down by a news reporter, Sarah Bird’s novel follows the Elmore Leonard principle: she left out all of the morning parts. On more than one night it kept me up later than it should have. A darned good read.
This book is about a female slave who was more or less liberated from her owners by General Phil Sheridan. This happened when he was fighting his way through the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. He brought her along to help assist his cook. While she was with him, the War ended and she was left to her own devices
She and other former slaves who had been with Sheridan were left in D.C. with no food, no money, and no way to earn a living. A recruiter for the Black Regiments such as 54th and 55th Infantry and 9th and 10th Cavalry came around their camp. This woman decided to disguise herself as a man and join the Army. This based on a true story and what I liked most about it was what she went through to keep her secret. The other part is the descriptions of how our Black troops were treated… in the clothes they wore, the equipment they used, the horses they rode, the places they lived, the food they ate…all were vastly inferior to that of their white counterparts. This books gives an excellent accounting of “After Slavery” from the viewpoint of the former slaves.
I looked forward to reading this story about a woman as a member of the Buffalo Soldiers. The story introduces you to Cathy Williams during the take-over of the plantation she is a slave on along with her mother and sister. Union general Phillip Henry “Smash ‘em Up” Sheridan, mistakes her for a male as she is dressed as one and takes her to join his army as an assistant to his cook. Along the way she realizes she is sharing the wagon with a black union soldier and she tells him the story of how she is a daughter of a daughter of a Queen. The story has some ups but mostly drags from one of Cathy’s stories to another. I was very disappointed in the book.
Emotionally gripping from beginning to end. Beautifully written.
Historical Fiction that starts toward the ending of the Civil War and then onto the Buffalo Soldiers and the Western part of the United States to deal with the “Indian Problem “. It’s a fast read and an action packed read.
Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird tells the amazing life story of Cathy Williams. Though born a slave to a father who was an educated free man and a mother who was a slave Cathy never wore the yolk of slavery. Her grandmother was an African warrior wife of the Kingdom of Dahomey who instilled in her family the belief that they were not slaves, they were captives and should have pride in themselves.
As the civil war neared it’s end Cathy was taken as “contraband” by General Henry Sheridan to help his cook. Making the best of it Cathy proved herself to be smart, able and personable. She and the General developed a grudging respect for each other that lasted a lifetime.
After the war, believing her mother and sister are dead, Cathy posed as a man and joined the U.S. Calvary as a Buffalo Soldier named William Cathay. Sent west to fight in the Indian insurrection. Completing her enlistment Cathy vows to find the only man she ever loved, reunite with her sister and lead a life of prosperity and independence.
This is a phenomenal story masterfully told by Sarah Bird. It’s a story that at times made me laugh out loud and at others brought tears to my eyes. The true strength to this book and storyline is the amount of respect and awe the reader can’t help but feel for this amazing American woman. The story development is spot on and engages the reader immediately.
Character development is so well done I feel like I know all of the people in this book, especially Cathy. She is so fleshed out I felt like I could reach out and touch her. She’s someone I wish I could truely know and talk to. I can just imagine the stories she’d have to tell. As a female USN Veteran I know how hard military life can be now, the fact that this woman not only succeeded but thrived in the military at that time is astounding. The reader is taken on the journey with her.
This is one of the best books, best stories, I have ever read. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Cathy Williams is someone I had never heard of and someone EVERY American should know about. She is an example to be held up to our young girls and should be celebrated for what she accomplished. If you have a teen daughter buy her this book. If you have a teen son buy him this book that instills respect for strong women. If you are an adult buy yourself this book because I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen is a page turning work of historical fiction! Cathy Williams was the daughter of a daughter of an African Queen sold into slavery. Cathy was taken from a plantation by a Yankee general to be an assistant to his cook. After the war granted freedom to slaves, Cathy then enlisted in the Army as a man and became the first and only female to enlist as a Buffalo Soldier. I was captivated by all the obstacles that she had to overcome just to survive! Sarah Bird’s writing is beautifully descriptive and made me feel as if I was there along with Cathy.