Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Photographs of Civil War injuries, hospitals and amputations that some may find disturbing)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The American Civil War was fought both on and off the battlefield. Even healthy soldiers lived in conditions rife with dysentery and other illnesses that both weakened the body and contaminated others. Doctors were not aware that microbes caused disease, so they operated with dirty hands, not even washing between patients. The medicines used to treat the sick were at least ineffectual and often poisonous. Hospital staff were not well trained, doctors who had only delivered babies were removing bullets and amputating limbs. But because of the necessity of battlefield medicine, many advancements were made that are still used today.
Gail Jarrow is one of my favorite non-fiction authors. Her chapters are long enough to be thorough, they are full of illustrations, photographs and spotlights of the key players in the Civil War battle of saving lives. Unfamiliar medical terms are defined in context and then redefined again if necessary. Includes a timeline and glossary, places to visit (both in person and online) a great author's note, bibliography and sources. Gross enough to get initial interest, and so interesting, appropriate for both middle and high school.
Lisa Librarian
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