Stephanie McCurry is a preeminent historian specializing in the American South during the tumultuous nineteenth century, with a particular emphasis on the Civil War era. Her scholarly work deeply investigates the intricate histories of women and gender, offering profound insights into their roles and experiences. McCurry’s rigorous research and analytical approach illuminate the complex social and political landscapes of the past, making her contributions essential to understanding this pivotal period of American history.
The Civil War is remembered as a war of brother against brother, with women standing innocently on the sidelines. But battlefield realities soon challenged this simplistic understanding of women's place in war. Stephanie McCurry shows that women were indispensable to the unfolding of the Civil War, as they have been-and continue to be-in all wars.
The attempt to repress a majority of its own population backfired on the Confederate States of America as the disenfranchised demanded to be counted and considered in the great struggle over slavery, emancipation, democracy, and nationhood. This title presents the story of this epic political battle.