It’s April 1861, and the Union Army’s Medical Department is a disaster, completely unprepared for the magnitude of war. A small group of New York City women, including 28-year-old Charlotte Waverly, decide to do something about it, and end up changing the course of the war, despite criticism, ridicule and social ostracism. Charlotte leaves a life of privilege, wealth-and confining expectations-to be one of the first female nurses for the Union Army. She quickly discovers that she’s fighting more than just the Rebellion by working in the hospitals. Corruption, harassment, and opposition from Northern doctors threaten to push her out of her new role. At the same time, her sweetheart disapproves of her shocking strength and independence, forcing her to make an impossible decision: Will she choose love and marriage, or duty to a cause that seems to be losing? An Irish immigrant named Ruby O’Flannery, who turns to the unthinkable in the face of starvation, holds the secret that will unlock the door to Charlotte’s future. But will the rich and poor confide in each other in time?
Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey’s letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured.
Jocelyn Green’s debut novel is endorsed by historians and professors for its historical accuracy and detail, by award-winning novelists for its spell-binding storytelling, and by entertainment journalists and book club leaders for its deep and complex content, perfect to share and discuss with others.
Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.
The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.
Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, strawberry-rhubarb pie, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.
Visit her at jocelyngreen.com.
My Impressions:
If you are an historical fiction fan and have not read a novel by Jocelyn Green, then hurry up and remedy that situation! She is my go-to author for well-researched and beautifully written stories that capture the essence of the time period in which they are set. I must admit I hadn’t read her debut novel, Wedded to War, until recently. Boy was I missing a gem. It opened up a world I didn’t know about — medicine and nursing during the American Civil War. It also introduced me to characters I did not want to say good-bye to. This book is definitely a Very Highly Recommended read.
Inspired by real-life pioneers in modern nursing, Wedded to War has everything a fan of historical fiction could want — authentic details, historical figures interacting with credible and realistic fictional characters — plus the added bonus of an intriguing plot that includes suspense, adventure, and a bit of romance. I learned a lot about the deprivation the ill-equipped soldiers faced, and the daunting task of providing adequate care in the face of overwhelming numbers and the most rudimentary of techniques and treatment. The novel also depicts the very limited resources women of the time possessed. Above all Wedded to War is an excellent story with heart and soul. There are characters to love and some too despise. And without giving too much away, you will be very satisfied with the ending!
Wedded to War is the first in Green’s 4-book Heroines Behind The Lines series. It is not necessary to read them in order, but I would recommend doing so. You’ll have a better historical context that way. I have one left to read — Spy of Richmond. I can’t wait!
Very Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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This sounds like a good series that I would enjoy. Thanks for sharing this one.
It is a fabulous series!
I just finished this about a week ago, and have ordered the next one in the series. I absolutely loved it! She did a great job of making me feel like I was right there! It’s the first book I’ve read by her and I can’t wait to read more!
Yay! You have a lot of great books ahead of you!