Hoosiers on the Home Front

Wars are fought not only on the battlefields but also on the home front, affecting spouses, families, friends, and communities. Hoosiers on the Home Front: Voices from the Home Front of the Civil War to Vietnam War provides a glimpse into the lives and experiences of ordinary Hoosiers during these times, including diaries, letters, memoirs, and essays from various individuals and perspectives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Wars are not just fought on the battlefields; they also take a toll on the home front. Families, friends, and communities are called upon to make sacrifices and endure the changes that come with war.

Hoosiers on the Home Front is a collection of essays that explores the lives and experiences of ordinary Hoosiers from Indiana who were left to fight at home during various wars. The essays are drawn from the rich holdings of the Indiana Magazine of History, a journal of state and midwestern history published since 1905.

The collection includes original diaries, letters, and memoirs, as well as research essays, all focused on Hoosiers on the home front of the Civil War through the Vietnam War. Readers will meet a diverse range of individuals, including Joshua Jones of the 19th Indiana Volunteer Regiment and his wife, Celia; Attia Porter, a young resident of Corydon, Indiana, writing to her cousin about Morgan's Raid; Civil War and World War I veterans who clashed over the Indianapolis 500 and Memorial Day observances; Virginia Mayberry, a wife and mother on the World War II home front; and university students and professors, including antiwar activist Howard Zinn and conservative writer R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr., who clashed over the Vietnam War.

Hoosiers on the Home Front offers a compelling glimpse into how war impacts everyone, even those who never saw the front line. It sheds light on the sacrifices made by ordinary people and the resilience they displayed in the face of adversity. The essays are written in a clear and engaging style, making them accessible to a wide audience.

This collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Indiana history, military history, or the human cost of war. It provides a unique perspective on the experiences of ordinary Hoosiers during times of conflict and serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who served on the home front.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063465