The Diary of Lady Riedesel

by Fredericke Riedesel

English translation of the Diary of Lady Riedesel and personal letters from the period of her departure to North America in 1776 through the mid-1780's and her return to Germany.

184 pages, Paperback

Reviews

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Fredericke Riedesel was the wife of the general commanding the Brunswick forces serving under General Burgoyne. These forces played a key role in the Saratoga Campaign. And were captured and interned with the English forces. Lady Riedesel accompanied her husband on the campaign. The Diary of Lady Riedesel is a compendium of her diary and personal letters.

The Diary is a significant primary source for the period. Additionally, Lady Riedesel was a bright, educated and observant woman. This Diary adds a human/personal element to what otherwise might be a dry and two dimensional historic record.

I first heard of the Diary when it was mentioned many times by Ketchum in his excellent history of the Saratoga Campaign. Based upon his endorsement, I purchased a copy of the Diary while at the Saratoga National Battlefield. I found the Diary well worth reading and agree with Ketchum.

I have only three complaints. First, the large numbers of typos in the translation. Second, the glue binding of the book is extremely poor, and I expect that the book will deteriorate quite quickly. Third, I would have benefited from more information regarding the author and her family. A short biography would have been helpful. (Yup, time to google her on the internet.) And, for example, whether her husband was able to save any of her letters to him. The letters she received from him, she obviously carefully saved and were reprinted in the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in either the Saratoga Campaign. (After reading the Ketchum book.) Or interested in an upper class woman's views of English and American society of the time period.

[Samantha Laing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I returned to Saratoga Battlefield to buy this book after finishing Ketchum’s book on Saratoga. It is what it is, a diary of Lady Riedesel’s time following her husband throughout America during the war. It was divided pretty accurately between her experience on the battlefield and then her experience as prisoner of war. Would recommend this book to anyone who wants to receive insight as to what life was like during this time.

[Rebecca Lohnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

ZZZ - I tried valiantly to get through this book. I picked it up several times but kept putting it down because it just didn't hold my interest. I bought it because I enjoy history and it came highly recommended but I was disappointed.