Reviews of my book, Behind the Rifle: Women Soldiers in Civil War Mississippi
*"The old argument that there is nothing new to write about the Civil War is obviously wrong, as illustrated by Shelby Harriel’s Behind the Rifle: Women Soldiers in Civil War Mississippi. Full of new research and insightful analysis, Behind the Rifle provides a wonderful overview of the important role of fighting women in Mississippi’s Civil War history." (Timothy B. Smith, author of Mississippi in the Civil War: The Homefront; Corinth 1862: Siege, Battle, Occupation; Shiloh: Conquer or Perish; Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg; The Real Horse Soldiers: Benjamin Grierson’s Epic 1863 Civil War Raid Through Mississippi, and others)
*"Harriel offers fresh evidence and cogent insight into the phenomenon of women soldiers fighting and dying in the American Civil War. Her exhaustive research brings to light stories previously undocumented and is presented in an engaging narrative that crucially places these women in their social and historical context. Behind the Rifle is a welcome addition to both Civil War and women’s history. I couldn’t be more pleased to recommend it." (DeAnne Blanton, coauthor of They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the American Civil War)
*“Absorbing reading, 'Women' is an eye-opening treatise on the role of women combatants during the Civil War in general and Mississippi in particular.....well written, admirably detailed and amply foot noted for further study, a remarkable and ground-breaking book." (Jim Ewing, former writer and editor at the Clarion Ledger, is the author of seven books) Read the entire review [HERE].
*"This is a fascinating book – careful and confident when dealing with facts, shrewd when judging conflicts and choices, eloquent when speaking for those whose voices are lost to history." (Allen Boyer, Book Editor for HottyToddy.com) Read the entire review [HERE].
*"The descriptions of Mississippi women and their contributions are a tribute to the author’s considerable research skill...[T]he book offers an excellent study of a little-documented subject. Behind the Rifle fulfills the spirit of the quote for the chapter about Mississippi’s women soldiers, “To Arms, Brave Girls!” Military Images Magazine. Read the entire review [HERE].
Reviews of my power point presentations
“I really have to say it was very well done. I had questions prepared in my mind, but they were all answered during the presentation, so I never had to ask them! This topic is especially pertinent as today the United States military is exploring the possibility of putting women in combat roles.”
-Ranger Rick Martin, Chief of Operations (retired), Vicksburg National Military Park
“I have always been fascinated and yet confused with the readings of women in the Civil War where too often the numbers, places, and faces change in each reading. I found Ms. Harriel's program answering, confirming, and giving an honest yet sometimes humorous assessment of some of the questionable areas dead on. Shelby also brought to my attention additional information that I was not aware of on women that fought at our battlefield.”
-Ranger John McKay, Education Coordinator, Stones River National Battlefield
"I had the pleasure to observe Ms. Harriel's presentation "Forbidden, Hidden, and Forgotten - Women Soldiers During the Civil War" at the Petersburg National Battlefield. Her presentation provides a unique perspective of the war which is relatively unknown. I found her to be both insightful and inspirational. I hope to have the opportunity to work with her again in the near future."
-Ranger Aaron Rowland, formerly Rock Creek National Park, presently Petersburg National Battlefield
“Your program provoked a number of people in attendance to re-think their views about women’s roles in the war, much less giving them a more complete picture of who served on the front lines. Your interest, knowledge, and structure of the program came together in a way that made it easy for the public to get involved and want to learn more about this aspect of the Civil War.
-Ranger Grant Gates, Petersburg National Battlefield
"A very powerful presentation that you’ll not want to miss."
-Prince George County Historical Society
“Shelby's presentation at the Franklin Civil War Round Table was informative, thorough and fun. We all learned a lot. One of the most unique presentations we have had.”
-Gregory L. Wade, founder, Franklin Civil War Round Table
"This is an outstanding program that I highly recommend to professional historians and interested parties alike."
-Richard H. Holloway
Louisiana Sesquicentennial Civil War and Reconstruction Task Force
"Always interesting to learn a new aspect about the War Between The States that we were not familiar with. And this was one of the most fascinating."
-Charles Neal, Civil War Round Table of Central Louisiana
"I thought Miss Harriel's presentation was very interesting. I never knew that women impersonated men and fought as soldiers during the Civil War. It is something you do not hear about. It was enlightening that they were willing to do that."
-Roger Wise, Lifeway Book Stores, attendee at the Civil War Round Table of Central Louisiana meeting
"The program was amazing. I have heard a few other programs about women in the Civil War, but nothing to compare with this. Shelby was terrific."
-Renee Shelfer, attendee at the Alabama Civil War Round Table meeting
"Shelby’s presentation of Forbidden, Hidden, and Forgotten was fantastic. Her passion about this subject came through in this dynamic, interactive presentation. She took the time to research information specific to our state. The presentation got rave reviews from the
attendees."
-Amy Law, Westhaven University
"As program chair for 16 years, I get honest feedback about memorable presentations (and those not). Yours was well organized, interesting throughout, professionally presented and dealt with a fascinating topic most roundtables never hear about. Bravo."
-John Liepa, Des Moines Civil War Roundtable
"Shelby Harriel did a fantastic job with her program.......What an honor to have her and Mark come and present for us and fill in this little known piece of Civil War History. I cannot imagine or fathom how men fought each other in that war, standing in open fields or charging across open fields. The degree of difficulty with the wool clothes, the marching everywhere under a heavy pack, the lousy living conditions. That these woman managed to do this amazes me and that we don't know them saddens me. A female posing as a male dying on a battlefield and placed in an unmarked grave, or marked with their male name, they are lost to the ages, never to hear us say thank you, never to see their name engraved upon a plaque, or listed as a veteran from their county. Never to be recognized, I can think of no greater tragedy than to be forgotten.
Thank goodness for Shelby to take the time and dedication to research this for no other reason than a passion to let these women live."
"Shelby Harriel did a fantastic job with her program.......What an honor to have her and Mark come and present for us and fill in this little known piece of Civil War History. I cannot imagine or fathom how men fought each other in that war, standing in open fields or charging across open fields. The degree of difficulty with the wool clothes, the marching everywhere under a heavy pack, the lousy living conditions. That these woman managed to do this amazes me and that we don't know them saddens me. A female posing as a male dying on a battlefield and placed in an unmarked grave, or marked with their male name, they are lost to the ages, never to hear us say thank you, never to see their name engraved upon a plaque, or listed as a veteran from their county. Never to be recognized, I can think of no greater tragedy than to be forgotten.
Thank goodness for Shelby to take the time and dedication to research this for no other reason than a passion to let these women live."
-Doug Stout, Licking County Library, Newark, Ohio
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this fine work and am quite pleased. I have been a student of the American Civil War and history in general for nearly forty years and can say that only rarely have I found a work so engaging. Scholarly works are rarely so engaging and often dry enough to set on a bookshelf or worse forgotten. Professor Harriel has created a book that I expect to reference more than a few times in the future.
ReplyDeleteMost importantly she has helped to keep these women from being merely a footnote in history; she has kept their memory and their stories alive.
This work contains a well set series of notes with a bibliography and index that makes further research easy to do. I look at this book not only as a scholarly reference but as a guide on how to present research in an easily read and referenced volume.
I found the conclusion excellent and rather telling: "War was the domain of men. Yet, women, too were behind the rifle. They, too, made the ultimate sacrifice for their respective causes and lie beneath headstones marked as unknowns. Consequently, the stories of these women warriors deserve to be told so that we may honor them..."
Bravo and well done.
Shane, this means so much coming from someone as knowledgeable as you. I am truly honored, sir.
DeleteShelby has taken what could be dry "someone did this at this time" information and made the people within the covers spring to life. As a fellow researcher and reenactor, I really appreciate the map at the beginning of the book, showing what battles women fought at. Being a visual learner, the map actually shows where these female soldiers were and when far better than any list of names, dates and places could.
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the many times female soldiers (as well as their male counterparts) would change names, which has led to a lot of confusion. Shelby traces the threads and allows us to match the names to the person that we *thought* we knew.
This is a wonderful book for the beginner or the professional researcher. Now I await .. book 2? :-D As ever my friend, I am more than impressed with your work.