Abraham Lincoln: The Enigmatic President

  Memoir of Ulric Dahlgren  by Admiral Dahlgren   Like A Meteor Blazing Brightly:  The Short but Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren  by Eric J. Wittenberg These Ulric Dahlgren biographies present the Union and Confederate views of the Dahlgren Affair.   Here is the gist of the “Affair.” In February of 1864, a Union cavalry detachment raided Richmond in the hope of releasing imprisoned soldiers captured by the Confederacy. Colonel Ulric Dahlgren led a major arm of the assault. The raid was unsuccessful, and Dahlgren was killed in an ambush. Papers were found on Dahlgren’s body that ordered the raiding party to murder Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. The Union claimed the papers were forgeries while the Confederacy insisted they were genuine. At the time, the Dahlgren Affair became a cause célèbre. The authenticity of the papers remains unresolved.   Ulric’s father, Admiral Dahlgren, called the papers forgeries and maintained that his son would...

  Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America by Garry Wills Lincoln at Copper Union: The Speech that Made Abraham Lincoln President by Harold Holzer Each of these books covers a single important speech by Abraham Lincoln. The Cooper Union Address set a course for his presidential quest, and the famous Gettysburg Address reset the course of the war. The speeches were delivered about 3.5 years apart. The Cooper Union Address was given in New York City on February 27, 1860, prior to Lincoln’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate. The Gettysburg Address was delivered on November 19, 1863, about four months after the battle. Both books are highly readable and well-researched. Wills won the Pulitzer Prize for Lincoln at Gettysburg, and Holzer won the Lincoln Prize for his book on the Cooper Union Address. It might seem hard to write an entire book about a single speech, but Wills and Holzer had no difficulty filling the pages. More importantly, readers wil...

    Confederates in the Attic Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War  Tony Horwitz Confederates in the Attic is a present-day (1998) memoir of a Civil War tour. The book is appropriately titled. When you rummage around an attic, you find all kinds of junk. Junk that’s past its prime, odd reminders of bygone days, nostalgic twaddle, and utter fantasies. Tony Horwitz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, finds all of these and more. Unfortunately, he spends too much time in the shadowy recesses of his metaphorical attic. The encountered characters and whimsical writing make the tour fascinating, but there’s not much substance added to the lore of this bloody conflict. That’s not a criticism because the book’s intent is to investigate lingering sentiments, not to uncover facts or artifacts. The narrative actually references a great deal of Civil War history, and I found no errors of note. (The characters in this memoir would prefer the War Between the States, or even bett...

    Bitterly Divided: The South's Inner Civil War by David Williams  Bitterly Divided by David Williams makes sense. If the political establishment in a bunch of states decided to secede, there would obviously be inhabitants who retained a stronger loyalty to the United States of America. After all, they had been proud U.S. citizens for their entire lives. I bet you saw a but coming. The but is that although Williams presents voluminous evidence of insurgence within the CSA, it is not clear that it materially hampered the Confederacy’s war efforts until the last year or so. The catchphrase, ‘rich man’s war, poor man’s fight,’ may have been a truism, but Southern men continued to fight until victory became hopeless or they received news from home that their families were starving. Williams contends that slaveholders masterminded the war, but, for the most part, non-slaveholders fought it. Three-fourths of southern whites owned no slaves, so arithmetic alone proves Wi...

  Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War: How the North Used theTelegraph, Railroads, Surveillance Balloons, Ironclads, High-Powered Weapons,and More to Win the Civil War Thomas B. Allen & Rodger MacBride Long title and a bit of a misnomer because this book also deals with the  use of technology by the  Confederate States of America. Granted, the Confederacy was limited by its scarce industrial capability, but it focused what it had on its navy, including the first ironclad in combat and the first submarine. Both were effective when let out of the barn, but neither lasted much beyond their first engagement. That’s the way it goes with military innovation; failures often precede a workable design. Most people view the American Civil War as a series of bloody battles fought with muskets and cannons. It all looks so backward from a modern perspective. In truth, the American Civil War changed warfare dramatically through technological advances. Before the Civil War, Napoleon de...

  Dixie Betrayed, How the South Really Lost the Civil War  by Davis J. Eicher To understand the Civil War period, it is necessary to study the war from both sides. Dixie Betrayed by Davis J. Eicher provides the view from the Confederate side. Dixie Betrayed is a different book than the title implies. The last words of Eicher’s book are “Jefferson Davis had lost his power as Confederate president — but not before the whole cause of the Confederacy was lost. Dixie was Betrayed.”  The title and these final words actually betray the worth of this book.  Nearly twenty thousand books have been written about Lincoln and almost a hundred thousand about the Civil War. Less than an estimated twenty percent of these were written from a Confederate perspective, and many of those were Lost Cause screeds. Since the Confederacy lost, official documents were often destroyed, requiring historians to rely on sources like newspapers, letters, and memoirs—and these are not nearly as w...

  Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by William T Sherman   In turns fascinating and boring. General Sherman wrote a valuable memoir for historians, but too much minutia for the casual Civil War buff. Sherman includes innumerable orders and other correspondence and describes his entire command structure every time there is a significant change or battle. Although historians, especially military historians, will find this invaluable, it can often be dull reading. Sherman frequently allows these documents to tell the story without presenting a description in his narrative. This means the reader must at least review the correspondence to gain a sense of the events. Disappointedly, Sherman seldom shares his opinions or even thoughts about significant issues. It’s sort of the Jack Webb version of his life. When Sherman does express an opinion, it’s pure gold, especially the chapter when he recounts what he believes are the military lessons from the Civil War.

  Bitterly Divided: The South's Inner Civil War by David Williams Bitterly Divided by David Williams makes sense. If the political establishment in a bunch of states decided to secede, there would obviously be inhabitants who retained a stronger loyalty to the United States of America. After all, they had been proud U.S. citizens for their entire lives. I bet you saw a but coming. The but is that although Williams presents voluminous evidence of insurgence within the CSA, it is not clear that it materially hampered the Confederacy’s war efforts until the final year or so. The catchphrase, ‘rich man’s war, poor man’s fight,’ may have been a truism, but Southern men continued to fight until victory became hopeless or they received news from home that their families were starving. Williams contends that slaveholders masterminded the war, but, for the most part, non-slaveholders fought it. Three-fourths of southern whites owned no slaves, so arithmetic alone proves Williams correct. S...

  Abraham Lincoln, The Boy The Man by Lloyd Ostendorf This book, illustrated by the author and enhanced with photographs, tells the story of Lincoln's life through pictures and brief narratives. As noted in the acknowledgments, it targets younger readers. (First published in 1962.) When I write a historical novel, I find books aimed at younger readers invaluable. They provide three benefits. First, books for youths tell history as a story, just as a historical novel does. Second, they focus on highlights which can provide an outline for a more extensive narrative. Third, they present the popular view and mythology of historic events. This is valuable because a historical novelist must know when he or she is diverting away from common perceptions. Without proper setup, running counter to general belief can jar the reader out of the story, and the cardinal rule for storytelling is never pull the audience out of the story. Abraham Lincoln: The Boy The Man accurately portrays Li...

  A World on Fire, Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War by Amanda Foreman Few Civil War history books convey another country’s perspective. Amanda Foreman has done history buffs a service by offering a British perspective on our great conflict. Along with fascinating details about spy operations in Canada, Foreman supplies information on French, Irish, and German participation as diplomats, soldiers, and observers. The book may not quite depict a world on fire, but it’s eye-opening to learn how much our civil war affected other nations. A World on Fire 's greatest contribution is its insight into the issue of British and French recognition of the Confederate States of America—arguably the war's most significant political battle. Abraham Lincoln ultimately thwarted Jefferson Davis in this contest, which many considered an easy Confederate win. Had recognition been granted, the South likely would have achieved independence. A World on Fire   is a dazzling research...

Lincoln’s Sanctuary Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home   By Matthew Pinsker Lincoln’s Sanctuary offers a fresh vantage point on Lincoln. With thousands upon thousands of Lincoln books available, pulling off something new is a feat—yet Pinsker succeeds. In this work, he explores Abraham Lincoln’s time at the Soldiers’ Home, a cottage in the heights of Washington that served much as Camp David does today. From 1862 to 1864, Lincoln and his family spent summers at the cottage to escape the heat and city pressures. To paint a vivid picture of Lincoln’s personal and political life during this period, Pinsker, a historian, draws on primary sources. The book links the cottage to key wartime events—such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the firing of General McClellan, and Lincoln’s evolving public image. Lincoln buffs looking for a revealing, intimate perspective into Lincoln’s private life and decision-making moments will find this book compelling.

  Abraham Lincoln by Lord Charnwood To get a clearer perspective on the Civil War, it helps to read books from multiple viewpoints. Lord Charnwood wrote only fifty years after the war (1916), bringing an almost contemporaneous perspective to his depictions. His biography has the advantage of proximity, but with enough time elapsed to dampen the passions of the moment. More importantly, as an English depiction, it is simultaneously a distant point of view. It is a distance of more than nautical miles. Lord Charnwood also brings his English noble bias to his descriptions.  This book is essential for understanding the diplomatic imperative for both sides. The Confederacy desperately sought European recognition of its legitimacy, while Lincoln did everything in his power to deny international recognition and suppress arms and funding from abroad. Lincoln’s success was arguably pivotal to the eventual victory. Abraham Lincoln  can be a tough read. A simple, declarative sentenc...

  The Trent Affair: The Diplomatic Incident that Nearly Brought Great Britain into the American Civil War Historians have given the Trent Affair short shrift. This book promises new revelations about the diplomatic incident, primarily through quotations from primary sources such as letters, newspaper articles, and official documents. While it is always useful to read primary source material, the sources presented do not offer a different perspective than historians have presented. Granted, historians gloss over the nuts and bolts of the Affair, but it’s because the issue was resolved before it could impact the course of the conflict. Still, understanding these details is important for context. What if the Trent Affair hadn’t been agreeably settled? If Great Britain had entered the war on the Confederacy’s side, it was likely that the South would have won. That would have made the Trent Affair a huge deal. Jefferson Davis’s top diplomatic priority was to drag a European power into c...

  Desperate Engagement How a Little-Known Civil War Battle Saved Washington D.C . Much happened between July 9 and 12, 1864. Marc Leepson focuses on this brief Civil War period in his book Desperate Engagement . In the end, the battle changes little, except perhaps delaying the end of the war. General Grant continued his stranglehold on the Confederate Army until Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Nonetheless, if the Hail Mary pass had been completed and General Jubal Early had sacked Washington, we might all be speaking with a Southern accent. According to Leepson, this outcome was almost realized. He would want us to believe it was close—heart-stoppingly close. Other historians and this reader think that once General Grant's reinforcements arrived, General Early's attack on Washington was doomed. The risky moves and countermoves, potential payoff, and unbridled heroism on both sides should have made this an exciting book. The Battle of Monocacy and the attempted siege are nicely ...

  The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army   by Adam Rankin Johnson When I am trying to get a perspective on a historical period, I like to read books written by people who lived through the period. Examples would include The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin , Roughing It by Mark Twain, The Virginian by Owen Wister,   An Editor on the Comstock Lode by Wells Drury, James Madison’s notes from the Constitutional Convention, A Short History of the Confederate States of America by Jefferson Davis, and The Impending Crisis of the South by Hinton Rowan Helper. When I began researching the partisan rangers of the Civil War, I was thrilled to find General Johnson’s memoir. However, I found the book to be dull and largely uninformative. The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army is a short autobiography, with over half of the content comprising recollections from minor participants. The autobiographical section was a screed of flawless military derring-do...

Except for the Monitor vs. Virginia ( Merrimack ), naval battles get short shrift in Civil War history. James M. McPherson  fills that gap with War on the Waters, The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865.  Land battles were certainly decisive, but the Union might have lost the war without Gideon Welles and the Navy Department. McPherson even makes a strong argument that Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut deserves to be ranked with generals Grant and Sherman when giving credit for the Union victory. Inventions and innovations by both the Confederate States and the United States revolutionized naval warfare. Steam power, screw propellers, ironclads, submarines, weaponry, and naval tactics all advanced significantly during those four years. By Appomattox, the United States owned the largest navy in the world, and arguably the most technologically advanced. War on the Waters does an admirable job of describing blue-water and brown-water (river) battles and explaining the signi...

Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were fascinating figures—precisely the kind of characters a novelist needs to carry a story. Both presidents had strong personalities, enormous drive, and inner confidence. They were also strikingly different people. Perfect for storytelling. In Maelstrom , I strived to give Lincoln and Davis equal billing. I got the idea from the 1979 novel, Kane and Abel , by Jeffrey Archer. There are always two sides to a story, and Archer did a masterful job of alternating chapters between characters to present the alternative perspectives. The idea intrigued me, and I used it in Tempest at Dawn , my dramatization of the Constitutional Convention. Although it requires extensive preplanning of chapters, it is an excellent technique for presenting opposing views. There are no more strident opposing views than in a civil war. In Maelstrom , I alternate chapters between Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, allowing the two narratives to show how each dealt with the s...

I last read  The Killer Angels  four decades ago. I liked it the first time, but really grew to appreciate it with this reading. Great story, well written, and enlightening. My project,  Maelstrom , is also a historical novel that alternates between Union and Confederate viewpoints, so I appreciated the difficulty of portraying events in an entertaining manner while remaining historically accurate.  The advantage of historical novelizations is that they can bring characters to life and make readers feel as if they were present when events unfold. Novels are first and foremost stories, and stories must move. History has a way of unfolding in a haphazard fashion, hindering storytelling. The difficulty is maintaining a good pace while remaining faithful to the historical presentation. In this reading, I could lift myself above the story and admire the craft. Sharra does an excellent job and deserved the Pulitzer Prize he won for  The Killer Angels .

  Abraham Lincoln is considered one of the most enigmatic presidents in American history. His law partner, William Herndon, described Lincoln as "the most shut-mouthed man who ever lived." Despite his constant pursuit of an audience, Lincoln rarely revealed his true thoughts. He often waffled, deflected questions, or told stories to avoid disclosing his plans. This tendency is one reason historians and critics can depict him as having seemingly contradictory opinions on various issues, conflicting motives, and a range of personal characteristics encompassing every imaginable human behavior. This blog will not attempt to resolve these contradictions. Instead, it will present them all to readers so they can draw their own conclusions. So, sit back, enjoy, and feel free to participate in the discussion. Additionally, this blog promotes Maelstrom , A Civil War Novel coming soon. American history is our story, and Maelstrom  places you right in the middle of the action.  

A gush of air ruffled my hair. Was that a bullet whistling past my head? Where am I? What the heck is happening? My eardrums throbbed with piercing pops and massive explosions. The stench of rotten eggs and burning charcoal seared my nostrils. Soldiers yelled orders, screamed in pain, or shouted insults at the opposition. Beyond clear-cut fields, I saw countless flashes made dim by smoke and distance. I wondered what the flashes represented until I heard sharp thuds and saw wood splintering. They were gunshots coming toward me at a frantic pace. The entire encounter was unreal. Standing on a sturdy parapet eight feet above the ground, I overlooked a raging gun battle. The relentless noise dazed me. To my left and right, soldiers returned fire, and deafening blasts of cannon fire made it nearly impossible to think clearly. I should have felt a desperate urge to escape, yet I sensed no such need. I was not afraid. Something told me that I was not a participant in this drama. As I glanced...