The Divided Family in Civil War America

“A fascinating study of actual families, North and South, white and black, divided by war. . . . Taylor writes well, easily mixing absorbing details of family dysfunction with cogent and complex analysis.” — Journal of American History

“Taylor’s deeply researched and thoroughly readable book is the first social and cultural history of Civil War-era divided families. . . . The dynamic portrait painted here ably renders any simple stories as much more complicated and complex narratives, and therefore ultimately much more historically satisfying.” — Civil War History

“[The Divided Family in Civil War America] is a sophisticated and multi-faceted treatment of an ambitious topic. Taylor makes as significant a contribution to gender and family history as she does to that the on the Civil War home front, and her book deserves a wide readership from those interested in either field.” — Journal of Southern History

“Taylor provides us with a convincing interpretation of the ways in which Americans used familiar ideas, behaviors, and rhetoric to cope with the colossal failure of family that was one aspect of the Civil War. Her work adds considerably to studies of Civil War popular culture and family life, her sources are comprehensive and well-mined, and her writing is thoughtful and at times downright lyrical. Well done.” — American Historical Review

“Broad, deep, and thoroughly current.” — Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

“A rich, new perspective on the Civil War.” — Virginia Magazine

“A deeply researched and well-written book.” — Arkansas Historical Quarterly

“A must for any historian who wants to know more about how war affected the people who lived in the border states, both before and after the conflict.” — North Carolina Historical Review

“Taylor engages us in thinking about the divided family in a more complete way through the sheer variety of her perspectives. . . . Interesting and well-written.” — H-Minerva

“A valuable book on a fascinating subject, and Taylor has provided a valuable historical service by giving voice and personalities to the often characterless stereotypes of the divided family. . . . Well-written and well-constructed. . . . A compelling study of the divided family within American popular culture, and a testament to the importance of family within everyday society.” — H-South