Blanton, Deanne & Cook, Lauren M. They fought like demons; women soldiers in the Civil War.

Random House, Vintage. 277p. illus. bibliog. notes. index. c2002. 1-4000-3315-2. $14.00. SA

Recent discussions about women's place in combat through the centuries have opened up new ways of viewing female soldiers. The role of women soldiers during the Civil War continues to unfold for readers in the 21st century through this carefully researched book. These scholars present an aspect of Civil War history just beginning to be explored in depth. Based on extensive research in government records, manuscript collections, state archives, and private sources, the authors conclude that women who disguised themselves as men, fighting and dying during the Civil War, shared the same duties, hardships, and experiences as male soldiers. Though only a small fraction of the Civil War combatants were female, their contributions need to be brought into the spectrum of Civil War historical research.

The role of women in war as combatants finds voices through the experiences of these often-valiant women who defied the prevailing role models of Victorian times. Extensive notes and bibliography make this volume in the Vintage Civil War Library a timely addition to women's studies and Civil War collections. Mary T. Gerrity, Bel Air, MD

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.