Synopsis: The American Revolution was a home-front war that brought scarcity, bloodshed, and danger into the life of every American. In this ground-breaking history, Carol Berkin shows us how women played a vital role throughout the conflict. The women of the Revolution were most active at home, organizing boycotts of British goods, raising funds for the fledgling nation, and managing the family business while struggling to maintain a modicum of normalcy as husbands, brothers, and fathers died. Yet Berkin also reveals that it was not just the men who fought on the front lives, as in the story of Margaret Corbin, who was crippled for life when she took her husbands place beside a cannon at Fort Monmouth. This incisive and comprehensive history illuminates as fascinating and unknown side of the struggle for American independence. (from the back of the book)Review: As I've been gathering and reading books on Women in the American Revolution, Berkin's work (this book and others) consistently show up in the bibliographies. I had to read it. I'm very glad I did. Berkin clearly knows her history and how to impart the information. Each chapter centers on a different group of women - including First Nations and African-American. Berkin gives an excellent overview of the many different roles women played in this war - some good, some bad, some for Britain, so for the USA. I highly recommend this work as a starting point for more in depth research or reading about Women in the Revolution. I'm also eager to get my hands on more books by Berkin. She has several I mostly eagerly want to read.
Bookmarks: 7.5 of 10
Awards: None
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7532-4
Date Finished: 11-29-13
Pages: 194
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