Fighting in the Shadows

I think this choice of subject matter is inspired. I have heard that many stories of the Deaf Community during this time period are more like a myth. The author has done substantial research and successfully brought the facts to paper in an in depth look at the Civil War and Deaf people.

This was such an amazing and well researched book. I didn't even realize deaf soldiers were used in the civil war, so I really enjoyed learning more about it. This book has a good pace and is entertaining. I would recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars.

A well researched book with very nice photographic additions. This is a topic not covered in traditional historical lessons. A different look at politics and common viewpoint through the years. It gives the reader much to consider and is a great stepping off point for further study or research.

Confession time, this book took me seven months to read. It is densely packed with so much information, that I wanted to read it slowly so I would learn and retain more. It was my goal to finish it in the new year, so I did read it above all other books (I usually am in the middle of at least three or more books at a time.), which helped I think.

This book was amazing and incredibly well researched. So much information on a topic that I had never thought about before, to be honest. I learned so much! I didn't realize that so many leaders in the American Civil War were hard-of-hearing or deaf. Not to mention all of the men and women who were journalists, soldiers, nurses, spies and regular civilians trying to survive the war years.

While war is hell, it did bring about reform in some ways. The way prisoners of war were treated before and during the war was HORRIBLE. The book gives an example of how one Union soldier went into a Confederate prison as 173 pounds and left 78 pounds with scurvy and deafness caused by an exposure induced illness. This encouraged those appalled by prisoner treatment to move for reform.

Also, the war deafened a lot of soldiers and sailors and they were given very little in the way of recompense from the Government, much less than those who lost limbs or eyesight. All important, but the deaf were treated as less than. This sparked a push for equality and help for those who were deafened while in service of their country.

And this book made me start crushing on Lincoln. I knew he was pretty awesome already, but didn't realize how open-minded and equality driven he was. He wasn't just trying to free the slaves, which is huge, but he was also very open to assisting those who faced prejudice because they were deaf and considered "half a man" and foreigners who "may not even speak English".

The same day Lincoln signed the charter for a school for the deaf into college-level branches, was the same day the Senate passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. There were a few in politics who said that they shouldn't waste money on educating the deaf because they were but "half a man" and they wouldn't be able to learn because of it. Lincoln obviously didn't believe that and made provisions so the deaf could have higher learning.

Lincoln wanted a German man by the name of Schimmelpfennig to be appointed to be leader in the military. Someone spoke up against the idea, saying this Schim, what's his name, might not be able to communicate with the men because he probably didn't speak English. Lincoln pronounced his name VERY CLEARLY and enunciated while banging his hand on a table and said that if he didn't speak English, then they would get men under him who would understand him. The man got the job.

So heart-eyes when I think of Lincoln now. : )

These are just a few of the gems from this book. I truly loved this book. I learned so much from it about something that I know isn't covered in school, at least when I was attending. I don't think American history is really looked at through the lens of those who are seen by society as "less than", even when they are quite obviously not less than anyone else. In fact, considering that those who were deaf were seen as "less than" and didn't have much in the way of assistance from the Government or other institutions, many did quite well and exceeded what would have been expected from a hearing person, let alone one who was deaf. Such an interesting and necessary book. It made me think and I believe it will make others think as well. And we can always use more of that in the world.

5, highly recommended I love Lincoln even more now, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Gallaudet University Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

An amazing look into a severely underrepresented community’s history. As a historian who works primarily with Civil War era history and is hard of hearing, this book was lovely in so many ways and just an uplifting joy to read. I so hope to see more biographies of this ilk come to light because we need to know more about stories like these!

historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, deafness, America

I think of it as a social history of the deaf in America from early days through the American Civil War including the restrictive attitudes of many hearing people. Even more, it is a testament to the individuals who fostered change as much as those who were oppressed because of an aspect of themselves which no one had any control over. Not just those profoundly deaf from birth, but those with acquired hearing loss from Illness (Scarlet Fever, Meningitis), or injury (blast concussive effect, noise of war). There is excellent research done and well documented and complete with assorted photographs. I think it's GREAT!
I requested and received a free PDF copy from Gallaudet University Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was an interesting read and is written from an angle and perspective that I haven't seen in anything else. Seeking out tons of first-hand accounts of the deaf and their contributions to the war effort both on the front lines and behind the scenes.

This is truly remarkable and I'm sure there are countless other stories from throughout our nation's history that would fall into this same vein.

Well done, thanks for the informative and interesting read.

5 Stars!

I enjoyed reading this book and I was not aware that deaf people were used during the Civil War. Definitely a part of history that needs to be talked and taught about more.

This would be a good read for someone who loves the intricate part of history. I reread several parts over for a better understanding.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review.