Yankee Woman examines the experiences of women in the Civil War and, in particular, the lives of three courageous and independent women: one a frontline nurse, the second a community organizer, and the third the only woman to serve as a Union army surgeon in the war. Elizabeth Leonard's in-depth research and her ability to spin a captivating tale combine to make Yankee Woman both a fascinating study of gender politics in society and a thoroughly absorbing story--the story of three women ahead of their time.