Gilder Lehrman Book Breaks is a new program that features the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books with host William Roka live, followed by a Q&A with home audiences.

Join us online on Sunday, August 30 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET (11: 00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT) with Catherine Clinton, as she discusses her book "Stepdaughters of History: Southern Women and the American Civil War" here.

In "Stepdaughters of History", noted scholar Catherine Clinton reflects on the roles of women as historical actors within the field of Civil War studies and examines the ways in which historians have redefined female wartime participation. Clinton contends that despite the recent attention, white and black women’s contributions remain shrouded in myth and sidelined in traditional historical narratives.

New historical evidence has given rise to fresh insights, including important revisionist literature on women’s overt and covert participation in activities designed to challenge the rebellion and on white women’s roles in reshaping the war’s legacy in postwar narratives. Increasingly, Civil War scholarship integrates those women who defied gender conventions to assume men’s roles—including those few who gained notoriety as spies, scouts, or soldiers during the war.

Through a fuller appreciation of the dynamics of sex and race, "Stepdaughters of History" promises a broader conversation in the twenty-first century, inviting readers to continue to confront the conundrums of the American Civil War.

Purchase books for Book Breaks at https://bookshop.org/shop/GilderLehrman.
All purchases support the Gilder Lehrman Institute and independent bookstores.

Everyone who registers will be sent a Zoom meeting link and instructions in the confirmation email.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or visit us at gilderlehrman.org/bookbreaks.