Dr. Carol Berkin discusses her book Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence.  She begins by explaining what aspects of American colonial society would be understandable to modern women and what aspects would be abhorrent.  As an expert in the Revolutionary War, she explains why the war is often incorrectly interpreted as a simple, quaint, and harmless conflict.  Berkin details the horrors and violence of the War and specially how that impacted American women.  She discusses the political roles women assumed during the 1770s with their voices, raising money, and the use of their purchasing power as a political weapon.  She talks about the importance of "camp followers" in the camps of the British and American armies and the problems that arose from the presence of women in the camps and forts.  The discussion included the presence of Martha Washington and other wives of key officers in the camps.  One of the most entertaining aspects of the conversation was regarding the female spies, saboteurs, couriers and heroines who helped win America's independence.  There are some specifics stories you will really enjoy.  She finishes the discussion with a desire for Americans to return to normalcy at the conclusion of the war, but indicates the strides women made as a result of the fight for independence.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Every Day-Hero Session IPA, Revolution Brewery, Chicago, IL

BOOK:  Revolutionary Mothers:  Women in the Struggle for America's Independence
https://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-Mothers-Struggle-Americas-Independence-ebook/dp/B000XUAEA8

MUSIC:  Bones Fork
https://bonesfork.com/