FIVE STARS

PRAISE FOR THE CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS’ ORPHAN SCHOOLS OF PENNSYLVANIA 1864-1889

“As the only modern text compiled on the little known Civil War orphan schools… provides a fascinating look into a unique humanitarian effort…. (Gold) meticulously documents the schools' existence from inception all the way to when they were rocked by scandal in 1886 and had their reputation further damaged through partisan fighting. With a bonus story on the tragic fate of the Gettysburg Orphanage… (the book) sheds light on a little known facet of American history, one that has eerie parallels to our own modern society… Gold provides the reader with such an intriguing amount of material, as well as enhancing his research with almost two hundred photos and drawings... great for anyone looking to learn more about the Civil War, its aftermath, or American history in general.”

By Kayti Nika Raet for Readers’ Favorite - FIVE STARS

“Meticulously researched and comprehensively annotated, this volume of neglected Americana history, The Civil War Soldiers’ Orphan Schools of Pennsylvania 1864-1899, heavily illustrated with fascinating photographs, drawings, and period documents, is particularly well-attended to by its author … Digging deeper into his subject, (Gold) removes layer after layer of contemporary opinion to reveal a more sinister, disturbing, and certainly more accurately complex depiction of these supposedly safe havens for the children, beginning with a questionably unethical financial motivation for their existence, and certainly a later ruthless and greedy syndicate co-option of their operation, not to mention the intrinsic political graft and manipulation attending the continuance of their initial charters… a masterful job of parsing through conflicting historical evidence in order to tell a balanced story that bears examination for its relevance today... What begins as an uncontested, popular issue of the heart often becomes distorted by the politics of self-interest, the stubbornness of inertia, and even the simple but profoundly unexpected flukes of history…. (Gold) decisively covers each in this fascinating tale of a warm-hearted promise gone deathly cold.”

By Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers’ Favorite – FIVE STARS

“…. informative, well-researched text that looks at the original unselfish motives for the creation of special orphanages. With input and oversight from some of the leading educators of the time, the SOS (Soldiers’ Orphan Schools) were devoted to turning these homeless children into productive, respectable members of society ... the history continues with partisan squabbling that unearthed a scandal and brought about the end of the program… Gold provides a historical look back at this collapse and is able to explain how changes in American society, due to the Industrial Revolution and the need for skilled workers, caused the ineffectiveness of the orphanages….Tremendous detail is presented clearly and concisely, supported with a spectacular 170 pictures, samples of letters, ledgers, and newspaper clippings… (this book ) provides a look at an important point in American history that offers insights into the way education and social services have developed and changed over the past 150 years. An added bonus is the unforgettable story of a private orphanage in Gettysburg that brought the horrors of the treatment of lower class homeless children to national attention.”

- Reviewed By Melinda Hills