Gunpowder Girls

The True Stories of Three Civil War Tragedies

By: Tanya Anderson

Narrated by: Carrie Olsen

With thousands of men off fighting in the Civil War, the government hired women and girls - some as young as 10 - to make millions of rounds of ammunition. Poor immigrant girls and widows paid the price for carelessness at three major arsenals. Many of these workers were killed, blown up and burned beyond recognition.

As Steve Sheinkin did with The Port Chicago 50, Tanya Anderson in Gunpowder Girls tells an amazing war story that finally gives its subjects their due. Hidden history comes alive through primary-source research and engaging narrative.

Gunpowder Girls is a story of child labor and immigrant hopes and the cruel, endless demands of an all-consuming war.

©2016 Tanya Anderson (P)2016 Tanya Anderson

Fantastic Look at Women & Work

Would you consider the audio edition of Gunpowder Girls to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version but the audio edition is fantastic. The narrator's voice is crisp, clear and engaging. There are slight intonations to connote different sections, presumably sidebar material.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is nonfiction but there are several characters mentioned throughout, some are the foremen or boys who deliver gunpowder but it's really a book about the women and the work they did during the civil war. There are several personal stories and anecdotes throughout. This is not boring history.

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptions of two of the arsenal explosions are affecting. You can really imagine that you were at the scene. The descriptions are vivid and the author has done a great job of providing not just the facts but the story and context.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this in a few long sessions.

Any additional comments?

The quality of the writing and the narration are superb. As a disclaimer, I received a free review copy but it was a book I requested and very much enjoyed.