The Chosen Path: Based on the Life of Elizabeth Van Lew

by Donald Paul Wyman

Knowledgeable experts have ranked Elizabeth Van Lew as one of the best female spies of all time. Until Dr. Wyman's comprehensive The Chosen Path, little was known about the full perilous life and valuable contributions of this Richmond, Virginia born socialite who became "Grant's Spy" during the Civil War. From triumph to tragedy, her life was filled with extraordinary drama. As with most covert operations, her successes were un-heralded. For her overt acts of loyalty to the Union, her rewards were ridicule, threats, unmerciful cruelty, humiliation, and arrest. Why did she do it? How did she do it? The Chosen Path -because of its novel format with dialogue-allows readers to know the true character and motivation-the human side of Miss Van Lew-as well as describing the many intelligence accomplishments of this American Patriot. Spymaster Elizabeth Van Lew is enshrined in the United States Military Intelligence Hall of Fame along with one of her spies, Elizabeth Bowser, who has been rated the highest placed spy in United States History.

286 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Hope Irvin Marston · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is of the LitFire Publishing edition, published in 2018.)
I was attracted to this historical novel because I had done extensive research on Elizabeth Van Lew and her former slave, Mary Jane Bowser, who became her spy in the Confederate White House, prior to writing my own book about the two women. The author has a great imagination and the ability to weave history into an intriguing tale. However, I would have appreciated it more if it hadn't read so much like a documentary and if Mary Jane had been given more credit and coverage.
My research verified that Generals Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Butler, and George H. Sharpe acknowledged the importance of information received from Van Lew...up-to-date attack plans that Mary Jane had overhead as she carried out her servant's duties in the Confederate White House and passed on to Van Lew as promptly as she could.

[Barbara J · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is based on the journals and memories if Elizabeth Van Lew. Because of the narrative style it is listed as a novel but details the actions of this remarkable woman from Richmond on behalf of the Union and Union soldiers during the Civil War. Her bravery and spirit in the face of ridicule and threats are a testament to her achievements.