A Blockaded Family: Life in Southern Alabama During the Civil War

by Parthenia Antoinette Hague
176 pgs.

This reminiscence of daily life on a Southern plantation during the War Between the States is filled with vivid details of everything from methods of making dyes and preparing foods to race relations and the effects of the conflict. The author provides an unusual and beautifully-written primary source of Southern life inside the Yankee blockade, told from a point of view that is noticeably different from most post-war accounts.

Customer Reviews
I thought this was a very well written, well researched book. Tt is good to read about the war and its aftermath from someone who was actually there and experienced the effects on the people's lives. I think the author writes with a factual and unbiased viewpoint. I highly recommend the book. - Anonymous

Ms. Hague recounts her personal recollections of the civil war, describing the ingenious and laborious efforts to maintain a decent life in a small village in Alabama. The descriptions of the textiles made from the cotton field to the dress were particularly interesting, and the friendly joint effort of the young women was heartening. I gave it three stars because of the somewhat elaborated descriptions, and the claims of ethnic superiority might offend some. However the general tone of the book is conciliatory, perhaps unrealistic, but probably pretty true of her experience. I would recommend it for a quick read about homely lives. - Jackie

She reveals how the family lived during the Civil War. A great deal of information is how they made clothes and shoes. The last few chapters describe how devastating the Union soldiers were. Basically, it is a description of life. - Jackie

Very interesting account from a generous heart. It certainly illustrates that necessity is the mother of invention and the learning of new ways to cope with everyday shortages. Kind of a unique viewpoint different from the typical war book. - Anonymous

Very detailed descriptions of the struggles and challenges of Southerners during the darkest time in the history of the South. The strength and ability to improvise to meet their needs was extraordinary. - Ron