Sex During The Civil War - 1271 Words

Sex. Was this connection nonexistent in people s lives during the civil war? When people think of war there is rarely a thought given to the adventurous fulfillment of desire through the act of fornication. In The Story the Soldiers Wouldn t Tell, the author Thomas P. Lowry exposes some truths of the different aspects of sex throughout the civil war era. Lowry accomplishes this feat through a separation of topics, introducing historical information throughout each topic, and presenting interesting evidence through quotations of letters, diaries, newspaper ads, military records and photographs. Thomas Lowry intrigues the reader with juicy information revealed of the minimally discussed aspect of sex during the civil war. The Story the Soldiers Wouldn t Tell is based on diligent investigation of primary sources rather than on ex cathedra pronouncements (Krick, Robert, ix). This book reveals a candid look at some of the less savory activities of our ancestors. He touches on all topics t o include: masturbation, prostitution, homosexuality, rape, marriage, love, sexually transmitted diseases, pornographic book and cards, women disguised as men in the Army, abortion and birth control techniques, and the sentencing of men for rape convictions. Lowry proves that in spite of the mores of the time period, the good and bad or private and covered sexual activities commencing, were all common normal sexual activity. Although the flow of the story may seem confusing at time to someShow MoreRelatedThe American Civil War : Censorship And The Passage Of Time1603 Words   |  7 Pages The American Civil War has captured the popular imagination of the world for more than a hundred and fifty years. Academic scholars and neophyte history buffs alike have published thousands of books on the subject, adding to a growing canon of Civil War literature and knowledge. 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