Bodies in Blue: Disability in the Civil War North

Sarah Handley-Cousins' book "Bodies in Blue" explores the diverse experiences of Civil War disability, challenging the notion that amputation is the only form of disability during the war. She examines the cases of well-known individuals and ordinary soldiers, highlighting the complex negotiations disabled soldiers faced in accommodating their impaired bodies and satisfying observers' expectations of martial masculinity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2021
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

Civil War disability is often associated with amputation, but the war had a profound impact on the body in various ways, which are often overlooked by historians. In her book, "Bodies in Blue," Sarah Handley-Cousins delves into the experiences of individuals with disabilities during the Civil War era, examining a wide range of bodies and ailments, from temporary to chronic, and encompassing both physical and mental conditions. She explores the cases of well-known figures such as Union general Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, as well as numerous cases drawn from the ranks, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how soldiers, civilians, and institutions dealt with war-related disability in the North. During the Civil War and beyond, the bodies of Union soldiers and veterans became sites of powerful cultural beliefs about duty and sacrifice. However, the realities of living with a disability often clashed with the expectations of manhood, leading to scrutiny of men who failed to perform the role of wounded warrior properly. Disabled soldiers navigated difficult negotiations as they attempted to accommodate their impaired bodies and satisfy observers. Some managed this process with ease, while others struggled and suffered. "Bodies in Blue" challenges the traditional narrative of Civil War history by embracing and exploring this apparent contradiction.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820361673