an acquaintance with darkness by ann rinaldi

She has the historical notoriety of being the first woman executed by the United States government. Of the eight alleged conspirators, she was the only woman. It was discovered that guns and ammunition were stored there. History shows that on the afternoon of Lincoln's assignation, Booth went to Mary Surratt's boarding house in Washington, D.C. John Wilkes Booth was known to visit the home of Mary Surrat and thus she was implicated with seven others. Mudd, General Custer and the Surrats, Rinaldi provides accurate historical detail regarding the assignation of President Lincoln and the effects of a city and nation in tremendous grief. Weaving a cast of characters including John Wilkes Booth, Dr. Instead, Emily was slated to live at the home of her friend Annie Surrat, daughter of Mary Surrat. Upon her death bed her mother forbid Emily to live with her Uncle Valentine, a prominent physician and teacher. We learn of life in Washington, DC 1865 from the point of view of fourteen year old Emily Pigbush who lost her father in the war and her mother to 'the wasting disease'. Soldiers returning home to the North after the war suffer from disease, loss of limbs and the stress of combat fatigue. Widows with no source of income are pressed to take in boarders.

Expecting President 'Linkum' to find homes for them, they sadly seek shelter and food to no avail. Slaves who were freed now have no where to go. Using the backdrop of Washington, DC at the turbulent time of theĮnd of the Civil war, Rinaldi takes us through the streets of a city in turmoil as the country is reeling with the aftermath of a nation torn apart. This one is worth the time and effort spent reading. I've read a number of Ann Rinaldi's books, some are good, others fall flat.

Many thanks to countrylife for recently recommending this very interesting book.

An acquaintance with darkness by ann rinaldi