The Red Cross in Peace and War

This volume offers a vivid portrait of the American Red Cross from its earliest days, tracing the vision of its founder and the practical steps that turned a modest idea into a national institution. Through Clara Barton’s own words and contemporary documents, readers see how the organization first responded to domestic disasters—floods, fires, and epidemics—laying the groundwork for a network of volunteers and warehouses across the country.

The narrative then turns to the tumult of war, detailing the Red Cross’s rapid mobilization during the Spanish‑American conflict and its work on Cuban battlefields and hospitals. Photographs, transcribed letters, and detailed illustrations bring these scenes to life, showing the challenges of sanitation, medical care, and supply distribution in the midst of combat.

Beyond the battlefield, the book records the society’s expanding international reach, from famine relief in Russia to aid in the Ottoman Empire. Together, these chapters reveal the enduring spirit of service that defined the Red Cross’s early mission, offering listeners a compelling glimpse into humanitarian work at the turn of the twentieth century.