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MicheleB
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 7:05am | IP Logged
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Hi, Jenn Mack, (and anyone else with experience with this book) 
Somewhere on your blog I saw that your family was reading "Hands of Mercy" by Norah Smaridge.
We are studying the War Between the States this year, and I thought it looked like it might be a good book for us. I have two girls, and "battle books" don't generally appeal to them, but nuns and nurses during battle might.
It seems to be an expensive book to track down , but I made an offer on ebay and received a counter offer that I am willing to pay.
But first......
How is the South portrayed? A Georgia Girl wants to know. I'm not expecting "Gone With the Wind," but I can't stomach too many digs and jabs. Does that make sense? Are the Sisters above the fray? Are both sides presented with warts AND honor? Is it about individuals and not just slamming the confederacy?
THanks!
__________________
Wife of 18 years, mother to daughters Nutmeg 13.5 and Buttercup 10.
http://thestripedrose.blogspot.com/
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 8:22am | IP Logged
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Hi Michele! 
Hands of Mercy: The Story of Sister Nurses in the Civil War by Norah Smaridge is a book I read aloud with my older students last year while we had an ongoing study of American history along with our other history studies. Originally published in 1960 by Benziger Brothers as a part of the Banner Books series, it is now out of print so finding a copy is left to hunting it down in used book sources, as you have done. Buy it!!!
The book does not detail political sides or concerns of either the North or the South, but rather details in a most heroic and compelling way the story of the many orders of Sisters that served the wounded, both in the North and the South, during the Civil War. Because no one could distinguish between the different orders as they served, all the sisters were called the Sisters of Charity, but in truth, many, many orders served heroically. Of particular note was the first chapter detailing the service of the Church in fulfilling Christ's teaching that he came not to be ministered to, but to minister and how special religious groups began to develop and organize for the care of the sick - even in the early Church. It was a short section of the chapter, but I found it provided great context into the service of the Church in assisting the suffering and the sick.
During the Civil War, the Sisters themselves were much scrutinized, and there was a great deal of prejudice toward Catholic Nuns at that time. The stories of how the Sisters served with such self-sacrifice and devotion won over even the most hardened of those that would eschew Catholic assistance. There are many stories recounted of the devotion which the soldiers came to have for the Sisters whom they initially viewed with skepticism, some of which are so precious and humorous (like the soldier who most sincerely wanted to repay in kindness the Sister that had assisted him, so as he was recovering he utterly exhausted himself, walking up and down the streets of Washington DC, in search of another bonnet to replace Sister's "old bonnet"  ...to no avail. Heartwarming, is it not?)
The stories often detail their Catholic faith, and how their only reward, their only payment, was often a very shoddily assembled chapel where they would pray. The Catholic faith and the deep devotion of these Sisters during the war was the primary story line in this book. It's a wonderful read for anyone who might be studying the Civil War and is a stirring and wonderful example of the Catholic faith lived out quietly and faithfully amidst the most horrific of circumstances.
When I review books and tools and things for others, I often encourage folks to discern carefully, not entirely sure if the book/thing that I may have found so wonderful, so useful, would be a good fit for all. This is one of the very few books that I recommend wholeheartedly, without any reservations - for all - because it is a good example of our history during the Civil War, and primarily because it shows in such a respectful and honorable light the service of these faithful women shown to those that were suffering.
As an independently read book, it would probably work for any child reading at a 4th grade+ reading level. The content is never gratuitously gross, but do bear in mind that the Civil War, and the casualties and suffering that resulted, was by its nature sometimes gruesome. There are not details of amputations or the like, but the sad and often common conditions of the Civil War (finding amputated legs just sitting in the floor of a room) are not whitewashed either. For this reason, if you are concerned about those instances, the book makes a good read aloud so that a parent may choose to leave out some bits for younger, or more sensitive children.
Hope that's a help.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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MicheleB
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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That is fantastic! It sounds like exactly what I am looking for! I appreciate your ever-willingness to so thoroughly review resources for us! 
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Wife of 18 years, mother to daughters Nutmeg 13.5 and Buttercup 10.
http://thestripedrose.blogspot.com/
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 12:15pm | IP Logged
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I happened to notice that this book is available as a "print on demand" book from several sources from around $25.00.
Not sure what you were going to pay for it, just thought I'd share.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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MicheleB
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for finding that, Theresa. I actually bought it on ebay for 13$ plus 3.99 shipping. The seller was asking 20$, but accepted counter offers. I offered 10$, and was very pleased when the counter came back as 13$. 
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Wife of 18 years, mother to daughters Nutmeg 13.5 and Buttercup 10.
http://thestripedrose.blogspot.com/
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: JennMack!! Hands of Mercy book
