Overview

A thrilling, cinematic saga of a Southern belle whose espionage for Abraham Lincoln and the Union helped win the Civil War. Wealthy Southern belle Elizabeth Van Lew had it all. Money, charm, wit—the biggest mansion in Richmond. So why risk everything to become the Civil War’s most productive Union spy The answer was simple: freedom. In this gripping history of a secret espionage genius, Gerri Willis reveals how Elizabeth built a flourishing spy network in the heart of the Confederate Capitol. Flouting society’s expectations for women, Elizabeth infiltrated prisons, defied public opinion, and recruited an underground movement of freed slaves, secret Unionists, and brave captives. Putting her straitlaced Victorian past behind her, Elizabeth encountered vivid characters—assassins, socialites, escape artists, and cross-dressing spies. From grave robbery to a bold voyage across enemy lines, her escapades grew more and more daring. It paid off. Her agents were so well-placed that she had spies gathering information in both the Confederate War Department and the Richmond White House, and couriers providing General Ulysses S. Grant with crucial, daily intelligence for the war’s final assault. Deeply researched and rich with detail, Lincoln’s Lady Spymaster is a remarkable true story of courage, ingenuity, and resistance. Gerri Willis pulls back the curtain on one of the most fearless heroes of the Civil War, restoring her to her rightful place as an American icon.

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9780063333659

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Gerri Willis’ masterful Lincoln’s Lady Spymaster will have you glued to the incredible true story of Elizabeth Van Lew, the Southern belle turned Union spy. If you thought you knew the most interesting stories of the American Civil War, you didn’t—until now. — Arthur C. Brooks, #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength Antebellum hoop skirts and coming-out parties juxtaposed with the dark scenes—down the street, families inspected and sold by slave traders. Gerri Willis takes us deep inside the history of the Civil War through the eyes of Elizabeth Van Lew, genteel but fierce, whose life takes an irresistible and dangerous turn as ‘Lincoln’s lady spymaster.’ It is shocking that this story—as captivating as it is historically consequential—was under wraps in the archives for so long. Elizabeth is not unlike Gerri in her courage and tenacity, and she seems to have chosen Willis personally to tell us her story. — Martha MacCallum, New York Times bestselling author of Unknown Valor Buckle up! Espionage, courage, and resilience are all woven into this true-life history of forgotten Civil War spy, Elizabeth Van Lew. Gerri Willis takes us on an emotional adventure as she recounts the details of this fascinating woman's life and career. Elizabeth risked it all to change the course of history, and every American should know her story.  — Alison Levine, New York Times bestselling author of On the Edge Just when we thought the American Civil War had little new to offer, along comes Lincoln’s Lady Spymaster by Gerri Willis, a masterful study of Elizabeth Van Lew, a loyal Southerner who operated a highly successful Union intelligence network right under the nose of the Confederate government in Richmond. With a keen eye for historical detail, Willis spins a yarn with enough real-life colorful characters and cloak-and-dagger twists to make even Ian Fleming blush. — William B. Feis, author of Grant’s Secret Service Willis draws on Van Lew’s published diary, a biography of Van Lew, and biographies of Civil War figures to create a brisk, well-populated chronicle of her subject’s perilous work. A fresh look at Civil War history. — Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Gerri Willis is an award-winning journalist, television personality, podcast host, and author. Currently a correspondent and anchor for Fox Business, she was the host of two long-running shows for CNN, and an editor and reporter for SmartMoney, Crain's New York Business, and others. Her journalism earned the prestigious midcareer Knight-Bagehot Fellowship from the Columbia Journalism School. A breast cancer survivor, Gerri received the Susan G. Komen Image Award for her efforts in supporting cancer research. Gerri, her husband David Evans (a fellow Bagehot alumnus), and their poodle puppy, Rufus, divide their time among NY, MA, and SC.  

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