Richard Williams simply won't be held accountable for what he says, because he fails to substantiate his claims. I've already documented that he's a hypocrite and a fraud, and he nicely documented that he's also a coward. That leaves me with the sense that he's had his fifteen minutes, and it would be best all around not to give him the attention he so desperately craves. Just a suggestion.

First, I think you are referring to “Intimate Strategies of the Civil War: Military Commanders and Their Wives.”

Second, Kevin, I understand the point of your post, and I think you are right, but specifically there has been little written about Julia Grant. There is one biography that I am aware of, published in 1959, “The General's Wife,” which sort of reads like a novel and is of questionable scholarly value. I must confess I had never heard of Carol Berkin, but when I first heard of this book I immediately pre-ordered it. I have not read the sections on Angelina or Varina, but I have read the section on Julia and I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I am now re-reading it and marking the places I think she is in error or just is misleading in her descriptions.

A couple examples: In the opening paragraph, she describes White Haven as “an elegant showcase” The paragraph leads a reader to envision a Southern plantation style mansion. (Later she calls it a mansion.) Anyone expecting to see a mansion at White Haven, I think would be surprised to find a fairly simple two story farm house.

She writes: “In building White Haven, the Dents had successfully transplanted plantation life to the northern-most outpost of Dixie.” Colonel Dent did not build White Haven, he purchased it.

She states that “the family owned more than a dozen slaves.” The 1850 census shows Colonel Dent owned thirty slaves, though that number fluctuated.

She states that Frederick Dent was Julia's “oldest brother” and that he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks. There were two Dent sons older than Frederick who was not stationed at Jefferson Barracks.

These kinds of errors can be overlooked I suppose, but I'm also troubled by her overall interpretation of Julia. Not that she has Julia entirely wrong, but she seems to indict her for not living up to the more activist Angelina or the more rebellious Varina. She states: “[Julia] never shared Angelina Grimke's insight into the tragedy of bondage or Grimke's sensitivities to its cruelties.” Well, how many southern women were like Grimke? She was rare. In addition, I would question whether Julia's experience with slavery at White Haven, which was essentially a family farm not a large scale plantation, was the same as Grimke's.

There are end-notes, and it seems as though Berkin relies very much on Julia's own Memoirs, without providing additional analysis or context. She also cites “The General's Wife,” Jean Edward Smith's biography of Grant, Grant letters, and little else. She seems to have pretty much taken Julia's writings at face value. I have stated in past comments here that Julia did not actually own any slaves, because her father never legally transferred ownership to her. Berkin misses this completely, along with other points regarding the Dents, the Grants, and slavery in Missouri. Also, I don't think Berkin ever visited White Haven or ever spoke with our site historian, which would have been beneficial to her.

Furthermore, Berkin's statements on the situation in Missouri in early 1861 are extemely simplistic and misleading.

I could go on, but this is already a long post. There has been a lot of praise here for Berkin's scholarly abilities and I trust that she has done good work, but unfortunately, I think she falls short with this one.
We could use a good biography of Julia Grant at White Haven. Maybe having three bios together like Berkin has done with this book is too restricting.

I am anxiously waiting for our site historian to read it, so we can discuss it more fully.

Brooks, you said let's focus on the book. I would very much like to hear your take on Berkin's portrayal of Julia Grant.

Oh yeah, she has Ft. Donelson spelled Donalson. Where are the editors?

Yes, I'm aware of all those books, and heck, I'd point out Peg Lamphier's book about the William Sprague-Kate Chase marriage as one deeply informed by knowledge of the period and the scholarship about American women. That book eluded Berkin's attention.

I think it unfortunate to pair Berkin with Williams. I also think it unfortunate to give Williams much attention, although there are times I can see why some people do it. I confess that he's easy to ridicule, and easy to corner. Too easy, especially when he does much of the work for you.