I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author left me wanting more. Other than knowing that Cathy Williams was a real person, I’m ashamed to say I don’t know how historically accurate the balance of this book is. That being said, if only half of the cruelty described in this book actually happened, slavery was one of the most abhorrent parts of our country’s history. The author made Cathy Williams come so alive for me that after I finished the book I spent a couple of hours reading about her. There is nothing better than reading about strong women and she certainly was that.

Cathy Williams was a slave in 19th century Missouri when the Civil War changed her life forever. Torn away from her family and the only way of life she ever knew, Williams disguised herself as a man and joined the army yo fight with the Buffalo Soldiers. Struggling to keep her identity hidden, trying to deal with the graphic horrors of war and never losing sight of her ultimate goal of finding her family, this is a remarkable story based on a real woman. Bird reminds us of all the forgotten women in history, women whose stories should be told, women whose names we should all know