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Book Reviews These are some reviews from a recent issue of
The Civil War News:
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American Family of the Civil War Era: Paper Dolls in Full Color
by Tom Tierney.
Children’s paper doll book, color illustrations, 15 plates, softcover, 32 pp. Dover Publications Inc., 31 East 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501, $5.95 plus shipping.
In this era of high-tech computer games and interactive entertainment the idea of a paper doll book may seem quaint and outdated. This paper doll book, however, might just be a charming way to introduce a young lady to history and historic costumes. The very fact that it is not just another high-tech gadget may make it unique enough to appeal to the younger generation. The idea behind this book is to feature three generations of an American family (grandparents, parents, and children) and to show the appropriate types of clothing for each age group. In the descriptive text the author does a good job of explaining how different age groups often dressed differently and how some clothing was more appropriate for younger, rather than older, people. The text is quite informative regarding fabric types, fashion trends, and cultural mores of the Civil War era. The author features the family in undergarments (very tastefully done), work clothes, day wear, winter wear, and wedding wear. The paper dolls and costumes are colorful, very detailed, and quite lovely to look at. The book itself is well-constructed, with a heavy paper cover and inside pages. The dolls and costumes are not perforated, so they will need to be cut out for use. The paper is heavy enough that the pieces, once cut out, should hold up well although it may not be a bad idea to laminate the pieces if that option is open. While this book features some delightful costumes sure to enchant a youngster, it certainly should not be used as a reference regarding Civil War era clothing. Although the pictures are delightful, many of the details appear to be more along the lines of the common Hollywood misconception of Civil War clothing rather than a detailed re-creation of authentic garments. This book is, after all, a children’s paper doll book and not a reference book. As a charming book to delight a youngster and perhaps keep little hands busy for a while, this book is a good value.
Karel Lee Biggs
Karel Lee Biggs has been active in Civil War Round Tables in California, Indiana and Ohio and is an active proponent of historical preservation. She has written numerous articles on a variety of topics and is pursuing a second career as an elementary scho
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