About the book
More than 150 years after its end, we still struggle to understand the full extent of the human toll of the Civil War and the psychological crisis it created. In Aberration of Mind, Diane Miller Sommerville offers the first book-length treatment of suicide in the South during the Civil War era, giving us insight into both white and black communities, Confederate soldiers and their families, as well as the enslaved and newly freed. With a thorough examination of the dynamics of both racial and gendered dimensions of psychological distress, Sommerville reveals how the suffering experienced by Southerners living in a war zone generated trauma that, in extreme cases, led some Southerners to contemplate or act on suicidal thoughts.
Sommerville recovers previously hidden stories of individuals exhibiting suicidal activity or aberrant psychological behavior she links to the war and its aftermath. This work adds crucial nuance to our understanding of how personal suffering shaped the way southerners viewed themselves in the Civil War era and underscores the full human costs of war.
Editions of Aberration of Mind
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469643564
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469643304
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469643588
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469643571
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890854568
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890854575
Read an Excerpt
More than 150 years after its end, we still struggle to understand the full extent of the human toll of the Civil War and the psychological crisis it created. In Aberration of Mind, Diane Miller Sommerville offers the first book-length treatment of suicide in the South during the Civil War era, giving us insight into both white and black communities, Confederate soldiers and their families, as well as the enslaved and newly freed. With a thorough examination of the dynamics of both racial and gendered dimensions of psychological distress, Sommerville reveals how the suffering experienced by Southerners living in a war zone generated trauma that, in extreme cases, led some Southerners to contemplate or act on suicidal thoughts.
Sommerville recovers previously hidden stories of individuals exhibiting suicidal activity or aberrant psychological behavior she links to the war and its aftermath. This work adds crucial nuance to our understanding of how personal suffering shaped the way southerners viewed themselves in the Civil War era and underscores the full human costs of war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aberration of Mind about?
More than 150 years after its end, we still struggle to understand the full extent of the human toll of the Civil War and the psychological crisis it created. In Aberration of Mind, Diane Miller Sommerville offers the first book-length treatment of suicide in the South during the Civil War era, giving us insight into both white and black communities, Confederate soldiers and their families, as well as the enslaved and newly freed. With a thorough examination of the dynamics of both racial and gendered dimensions of psychological distress, Sommerville reveals how the suffering experienced by Southerners living in a war zone generated trauma that, in extreme cases, led some Southerners to contemplate or act on suicidal thoughts.
Sommerville recovers previously hidden stories of individuals exhibiting suicidal activity or aberrant psychological behavior she links to the war and its aftermath. This work adds crucial nuance to our understanding of how personal suffering shaped the way southerners viewed themselves in the Civil War era and underscores the full human costs of war.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Aberration of Mind?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Aberration of Mind?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469643564
How long is Aberration of Mind and how many pages does it have?
Aberration of Mind has 448 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Aberration of Mind?
Diane Miller Sommerville
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Aberration of Mind is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469643564) and paperback(ISBN 9781469643304) and ebook(ISBN 9781469643588) and ebook(ISBN 9781469643571) and pdf(ISBN 9798890854568) and pdf(ISBN 9798890854575)
Where can I buy Aberration of Mind online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Aberration of Mind from below
Where can I buy Aberration of Mind?