Introduction

The idea of being under attack—by enemies, by fellow countrymen, or by circumstances—is a frightening one. What lengths does one go to in order to protect oneself, one's children, and one's community? What possessions and liberties could one be willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive? What allegiance is owed to one's nation? These are only a few of the recurring questions asked by women in diaries, memoirs, short stories, novels, and essays on the subject of war. Over the boundaries of time, place, and culture, the literature of women on the subject of war often presents a perspective unique from that of soldiers or men in combat. Whether at the home front or the battle front, women experience war and its aftermath differently. In turn, their stories help readers understand the other side of war, distinct from the traditional...