4 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
FIGHT
LIKE A
LADY
Author Marianne
Monson captures the
incredible untold stories
of Civil War-era women
By RYAN HUME
FOR COAST WEEKEND
arianne Monson returns to the 19th centu-
ry with her new nonfiction book, “Women
of the Blue & Gray: True Stories of Moth-
ers, Medics, Soldiers and Spies of the Civil War.”
Released in August by Shadow Mountain Pub-
lishing, the book is available online and in local
bookstores.
The Astoria author will continue to roll out the
book with a number of local events. The official
book launch will be at KALA, 7 p.m., Thursday,
Sept. 13.
This opening will be followed by two events on
Saturday, Sept. 15: A book signing is scheduled at
Lucy’s Books between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed
by a lecture and signing at the Astoria Library at 3
p.m.
Monson will also speak at Clatsop Community
College’s Ales & Ideas lecture series at Fort George
in November.
The KALA event is $8; the rest are free.
Following up her book “Frontier Grit: The
Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women,”
Monson, a contributor to Coast Weekend and writ-
ing instructor at Clatsop Community College, has
always been drawn to the tumultuous 1800s.
“I think a part of me has always lived in this
era,” she said. “I decorated my room in high
school with lace gloves and bonnets. I’ve always
been fascinated by the juxtaposition of elegance
and strength that this era represents — particularly
for women.”
M
Continued on Page 15
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
BY COLIN MURPHEY
Author Marianne Monson
in her living room with her
latest book, ‘Women of the
Blue & Gray.’