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 … 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.
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Karen Abbott ‘s telling of these four women spies during US Civil War is brilliant. Women from the north and south, each presented with depth and compassion.
A rare glimpse of the American Civil War from some of the women who intrigued on both sides of the conflict.
Interesting historical about a subject I didn’t know anything about.
An intriguing and novel take on the Civil War
There were so many inspirational characters in this book. We don’t really know much about women in history so this was a treat. This book didn’t pick sides, you learn about the daring women from both sides of the war. It was very entertaining it didn’t take long to finish.
Very unique and enjoyable tales.
A wonderful window into the conflict of the Civil War that led to numerous, little known cross allegiances. Highly recommended.
it’s apparently historical. I’m still trying to slog thru it. how spy reality in the Civil War can be made dull, annoying and hard to finish, I don’t know, but the author managed.
This book follows four women who are spies of one sort or another during the Civil War. When I described it to someone she thought it was fiction because the women’s actions are outlandish at times! Some of the stories are definitely more interesting than others, but it’s an interesting look at a history that we don’t often get to see.
I just could not get into this book. I typically love history and historical novels so I thought I would enjoy the true story written like a novel but I did not.
The women in this book are inspirational and should be mentioned in history books.
Interesting period stories of the Civil War.
This is a great book about courageous women.
A little slow but lots of detail about the war from both side. Intersting finding out how much women took part in, supported, were committed to their beliefs and duty to their leaders
Great read about a woman heroine.
I haven’t finished it yet. While I find it interesting, it’s a slow read for me.
Nonfiction that reads like fiction, with the stories of four remarkable women who took on electrifying, risky, boundary-pushing roles during the Civil War. Abbott is a master of bringing history to life. A great read and a great reminder that women had way more to do with how history unfolds than our high school textbooks saw fit to mention.
a bit hard to follow at times
It is sad what these women went through in doing what they thought was the right thing to do in their live during the civil war.
Historic content was interesting.