Name: Elda Mengisto's review of Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott
Item: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy
Rating: 4
Author: Elda Mengisto

Karen Abbott

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.

Four Women Undercover in the Civil War

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

Jessica

Elda Mengisto

This was a book I wanted to read for a long time, so when I've found it in my public library, I had to go get it. And needless to say, it lived up to expectations.

Of course, the highlight of this book were the four women themselves: two from one side. Even though I would've been on the opposite side, I connected with Belle's story a lot. Because she was so young, and was relatively more dramatic in comparison to the other three, it made it look like an adventure story with her. I thought she would be more gun-slinging after her first interaction.

But overall, it connected a bunch of themes: including gender identity, family, and role in society. The former was brought up with Emma's story, which was quite interesting to see in terms of whom she makes friends with and her ways to disguise her identity. I also liked seeing Rose's spying with her daughter; though she says things which I consider problematic, reading her death surprised me and made me feel bad for them.

I liked the writing style and how much information Abbot provided within the book, it felt like I was reading a historical novel. I'm not sure why it comes short of being a perfect book--Elizabeth didn't have a strong story, though Mary Jane's role was strong there. Her epilogue was quite sad, however.

9/10

Deborah Kerr

Fascinating read. Definitely slow at parts and certainly purple-prosey throughout, but an absolute must read for anyone who loves history and the women who made it happen.

Leafling

As someone who's super scared of nonfiction and who hates reading about wars, I was nervous about this book. But when I heard that Karen Abbott was coming to town, I decided it was time to give this book a chance. Everybody who has read it loved it and the subject matter certainly sounded interesting. Badass women undercover?? Sign me up. I've just always had trouble with history, for whatever reason. Abbott makes Civil War history so interesting and accessible, without dumbing it down. All of the women included were incredible in what they were willing to do either for their sides of the war.

Something I really liked was how Abbott doesn't present those who fought on the Confederate side of things like villains. She just presented the facts and the personalities; what the women did without judgement. No side was glorified, every woman flawed and incredible in their own way. Also, when I saw Abbott speak she described one of the women, Belle Boyd, as a mixture of Sarah Palin and Miley Cyrus, which is SO ACCURATE. If that doesn't make you want to know more about these women, I don't know what will.

Full review: Outlandish Lit - 3 Books About People Who Aren't What They Seem

Jessica &
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott

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Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott