One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of Richmond, a daring last-ditch Southern plan for guerrilla warfare, Lee’s harrowing retreat, and then, Appomattox. It saw Lincoln’s assassination just five days later and a near-successful plot to decapitate the Union government, followed by chaos and coup fears in the North, collapsed negotiations and continued bloodshed in the South, and finally, … finally, the start of national reconciliation.
In the end, April 1865 emerged as not just the tale of the war’s denouement, but the story of the making of our nation.
Jay Winik offers a brilliant new look at the Civil War’s final days that will forever change the way we see the war’s end and the nation’s new beginning. Uniquely set within the larger sweep of history and filled with rich profiles of outsize figures, fresh iconoclastic scholarship, and a gripping narrative, this is a masterful account of the thirty most pivotal days in the life of the United States.
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Reads well, in many ways a “ What if” how many things the Generals especially had to do to avoid an extended guerrilla war. Grant, Lee, Sherman, Johnson etal. They stood down, respected Lincoln’s words at the inauguration.
The politicians come off a bit less classy to say the least.
A terrific read with interesting development of each of several key players in the civil war and how their lives, and ours, were impacted by events that month.
A well written and insightful portrayal of the Civil War and A Lincoln.
Excellent synopsis of the days before, during and after April 1865
Jay Winik has essentially taken the bulk of the Civil War, its major actors and causes, and analyzed the entire cataclysmic event in the context of a single month – April 1865. Occasionally I find a book so great that as I read I cannot help 1) annotating the text, willing myself to remember pieces of it and 2) wishing that I might have written it …
Interesting read on the last month of the war. I enjoyed very much and didnt give it 5 stars only because it was a little long winded when going into the background of some of the major players.
A very crazy month in American history! A must read for every civil war buff!
Well written with a significant amount of new information. Highly recommend by a Civil War enthusiast
Superb history, examining often overlooked but critical areas of the Civil War. Narrative style and depth of research outstanding. Five Stars.
This is a thought provoking dose of history with a purpose. I consider this one of the top few history books I have ever read. The author has a thesis and makes a compelling supporting case. If you are interested in the events surrounding the civil war, the Lincoln administration and his assassination, you will find the authors focused, purposeful …
Excellent account of the final days of the Civil War, as well as significant events that led up to April 1865. Connections to twentieth century events added modern-day perspective. Post-war actions to help heal the country were also addressed, providing context that was new to me. Very good read; highly recommended.
Informative and interesting. Did General Lee make the wrong decision by turning down command of the Union Army? I think he is the cause for the war lasting so long and many men dying because of his decision.
I never realized what a turning point that month was. Even more, how close history for the United States might have been different. An excellent book. If you consider yourself to be versed on the Civil War and haven’t read this book, you aren’t as versed as you think!!