No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion
A Composite Diary of the Last 16 Months of the Confederacy from 1864 to 1865
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
"In addition to boasting the best title for a book that this reviewer has ever read, Toalson's contribution to Civil War history has opened a door to a far-too-neglected subject, the day to day strife . . . (through the voices) of . . . 220 men and 50 women . . . The concept of this book is so simple, yet brilliant, and the collection of quoted material is superb. . . The greatest contribution . . . is found in the "voice" that has been given to the personal memories of these 270 courageous men and women, who lived through the darkest of times in our nation's history. By sharing their most intimate and personal recollections, Toalson presents an opportunity for us to learn what really happened as their cause and their country came to an end." Michael Aubrecht - BOOK REVIEW "The Free Lance - Star," Fredericksburg, Virginia April 26, 2008 "From a classroom teacher's perspective . . . educators should welcome this Civil War study, told in the first person, to bring the war to life. . . . It allows students to realize that all wars cause many hardships for soldiers and families . . . I would recommend Mr. Toalson's book to all educators." Sue Goehring - Elementary Principal Wimbledon, North Dakota "If you had a Confederate Ancestor you have to have this book! Mr. Toalson tells the story of the Plight of the Confederacy through the eyes of those who lived it. The diary and journal entries . . . from soldiers and civilians alike . . . are sometimes Humorous and sometimes Haunting but always Captivating." Cmdr. David Barlow - SCV Camp 1471 Franklin, Virginia
Formats
Book Details
Recognition Programs
About the Book
No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion is a groundbreaking study of life during the final sixteen months of the Confederacy.
Civil War studies normally focus on military battles, campaigns, generals, and politicians, with the common Confederate soldier and Southern civilians receiving only token mention. Using personal accounts from more than two hundred seventy soldiers, farmers, clerks, surgeons, sailors, chaplains, farm girls, nurses, nuns, merchants, teachers and wives, author Jeff Toalson has created a compilation that is remarkable in its simplicity and stunning in its scope.
These soldiers and civilians wrote remarkable letters and kept astonishing diaries and journals. They discussed disease, slavery, inflation, religion, desertion, blockade running, and their never-ending hope that the war would be over before their loved ones died. As in all wars, these are the people who suffer the most-and glory is hard to find amid lice, dysentery, starvation, and death.
A significant contribution to Civil War literature, No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentery & Desertion will open vistas to a side of the war with which most are only mildly familiar. The words of these individuals are an honest, powerful, and poetic portrayal of the war's effect on their lives.
About the Author
Missouri native Jeff Toalson earned a BS in business management from Missouri State University. Between the United States Navy and a thirty-two year career selling automotive products, he has lived in Rhode Island, North Dakota, and Minnesota. He currently lives in Virginia with his wife, Jan.