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62nd out of 386 books
—
412 voters
Story the Soldiers Wouldn't Tell: Sex in the Civil War
First book to cover all aspects of sexuality during the Civil War. Based on area original sources, including the soldiers' jokes, songs, letters, and diaries.
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
June 1st 1994
by Stackpole Books
(first published January 1994)
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Quite a fascinating look at the private lives of American soldiers during the Civil War. It doesn't surprise me that the descendents of these soldiers did their best to expurgate the papers of these all-too-human men and women, so the record left behind of such subjects is rather sparse. Dr Lowry does an excellent job of piecing together the bits he was able to research into an intriguing peek into such personal matters.
That said, I found it difficult to get through the chapters on swearing and...more
That said, I found it difficult to get through the chapters on swearing and...more
The fascinating (and very readable) primary sources were the best part of this book; there was very little analysis or non-superficial larger view, and I didn't find most of the editorial flourishes or the author's actual writing very engaging. (Though there was an exception; I did laugh out loud at "This term of shameless corruption and immorality prepared him for his next step: election to Congress.") It's not quite an academic historical analysis, though the depth of sources is really impress...more
In actuality it's the stories that somehow slipped past the censors, whether the soldiers themselves or their descendants. However, Dr. Lowry has gathered much evidence that sex occurred during the Civil War. Rather he sets up a straw dog or not I couldn't say, but a lot of the letters and diaries of the soldiers and others during the Civil War had been heavily censored by those who possessed them and did not want the memories of their loved ones sullied by records of 'sinful' activities. Using...more
I saw this book a few years back when I visited Pamplin Park but only just now got around to reading it as research for a story I’m going to be working on this autumn. The book is very well written, and the documentation is quite thorough. I wish that there had been more on the homosexual relationships during the Civil War ~ only one chapter addressed homosexuality, half devoted to gay men and the other half to lesbians. That bit was a little disappointing, actually, because the gay men section...more
Everything about this book is excellent: the writing, the research, the content. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it, and encourage everyone to read it. My favorite part is the priest's love letters which include drawings of his penis (exaggerated, of course). This book covers every topic about sex and the Civil War soldier possible, both while taking it seriously and making light of it. Thomas Lowry is an fantastic researcher and writer, I look forward to reading his other books about...more
Again I had high hopes that were a little dashed with poor writing. The portions of the book that highlight soldiers letters are fascinating; however, it is poorly compiled and the opinions a bit much.
The sources are what really made me give this three stars. As a work of history, it's lacking in overall analysis, organization, and structure, but the materials the author found are fantastic.
This was an amazing insight into the bawdy and debauched history of the civil war that the romanticism surrounding it prevents people from seeing - and also has some HILARIOUS songs!
Wonderful book for my research. I too wish the chapter on m/m relationships during the Civil War was more detailed, but otherwise, really terrific.
Jul 08, 2012
Sherri *The Lady Hillindale*
marked it as dnf
Interesting topic however the presentation is so dry this literally put me to sleep. Great for insomnia, bad for reading. DNF
1 like · like · see review
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Why does it continually surprise people that during wars soldiers have sex?
First book to cover all aspects of sexuality during the Civil War. Based on area original sources, including the soldiers' jokes, songs, letters, and diaries.
fascinating
An education.
It was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.
Sex has never been a new thing. People have been getting it on since the beginning of time. It is interesting to read about the civil-war era and to see how things were much more hush-hush than they are now.
Evaluates prostition and sexually transmitted diseases as they pertain to the American military.
Jan 14, 2008
Lafcadio
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Flank
Recommended to Lafcadio by:
Tom
Written by my uncle Tom. Some disturbing pictures...
May 14, 2013
Kevin Lee
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Jim Kerr
added it
Apr 21, 2013
Gary
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2013
Kate
marked it as to-read
Apr 14, 2013
Sean Andres
added it
Mar 12, 2013
Caroline
marked it as to-read
Mar 04, 2013
Steve Framke
marked it as to-read
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Thomas P. Lowry is a retired psychiatrist and associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco. He is the author of Curmudgeons, Drunkards, and Outright Fools: Courts-Martial of Civil War Union Colonels, available in a Bison Books edition, and The Story the Soldiers Wouldn’t Tell: Sex in the Civil War.
More about Thomas P. Lowry...
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