Lincoln Books

If this book is not a finalist for a major award in Lincoln and Civil War history, we will have a gross injustice. This intelligent, interesting, readable book is one of the most original informative Civil War histories I have read this year. The author is retired from the U.S. Naval Academy after 30 years of teaching. During that time, he won both the Naval Academy's "Excellence in Teaching" award (1988) and its "Excellence in Research" award (1998). This shows in his ability to construct a sentence that contains a lot of information without boring or losing the reader.
His portraits of the players are excellent. We never lose sight of the fact that they have not read the history book and do not know what is happening. Each crisis has the feel of current events unfolding as we read. Lincoln's management style is fully developed and we understand what a masterful politician he is. The fighting between the departments of State, War and Navy are fully developed and completely understandable. While the book is written from the Navy's perspective, the author never takes sides and faithfully reports the whole story.
Most Civil War history ignores the Nay's role. This book gives us a detailed history of naval operations and the development of combined Army Navy actions. Lincoln never had a quite day as President. He had just sat down when the problem of supplies at Fort Sumter dropped on him. The author provides a detailed account of the decision-making and the problems associated with that action. His account of the Trent Affair could be one of the best accounts in existence. The same can be said of his Red River Campaign and his discussion of the impact of cotton on the war.
This is not a book of blazing guns! It is a book of politics, technology and personalities interacting during war. Ambition, personal preferences and personality quirks make up the story. This is not a view of the war we often see but it is a very important view that we need to be aware of. Craig L. Symonds gives us this view in an entertaining and informative book that belongs in every library.

It is difficult to imagine that some aspect of Lincoln and the Civil War has not been covered in detail, but until now that was the case with Lincoln's role as commander in chief of the Navy. Craig Symonds has not only filled that void but has done it masterfully. In the tradition of the finest Civil War authors, he has created what will surely become a classic that will be treasured by scholars and buffs alike. Could not have been done better.

This book by Craig Symonds should be read alongside McPherson's work in order to understand why Lincoln was an excellent commander in chief. Lincoln had a difficult time in ordering his admirals into action. Lincoln pressured his admirals to link up with each other on the Mississippi River and also to take Yorktown in the spring of 1862. Also Lincoln's relationship with admirals DuPont and Goldsborough was very similiar to the one he had with McClellan and eventually had to replace them both for their inaction. The failure of the navy to take Fort Fisher in North Carolina was very much like the unsuccessful attempts by the Army of Potomac to destroy Lee's army. Like the Army of Potomac, Lincoln had to wait for the navy's Grant which happaned to be Admiral Porter. Porter's agressive style eventually led to the capture of Fort Fisher in 1864, and in the same year the navy subordinated itself in order to support Grant's army around Petersburg. The navy's new argressive leadership and working together with the army helped the North to acheive victory in 1865.
Symonds also describes Lincoln's pragmatic leadership when it came to avoiding a potential naval conflict with Great Britain. Lincoln returned the Confederate diplomats Slidel and Mason to Great Britain after they were captured by the Union navy. In another crisis, Lincoln forbade the reading of British mail after the capture of the British flagged steamer the Peterhoff. Both of these acts of conciliation prevented the British from interveing in the Civil War. Overall Symonds does a masterful job at how Lincoln was sucessful militarily and politically in handling of naval affairs.

I have read quite a lot on the Civil War and the events leading up to it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in the period. It is a a history of the Northern polical crisis from the time of the election in 1860 to the firing on Sumter. It is completely from the Northern perspective, the South perspective is completely ignored (it was about 4/5 through the book before the election of J. Davis is mentioned). With that in mind, the story that comes to life in this book is fascinating. This is a period that tends to be glossed over by most histories. The author does a phenominal job at putting the reader in the mindset of the times as the crisis evolved. I learned quite a few new things and enjoyed it.

McClintock's first historical non-fiction fully engages the reader in the politics and personalities that defined the most important four months in the history of the United States, the months between Lincoln's election and the firing on Fort Sumter. Although clear that the ultimate decision for the war lied with Lincoln, McClintock provides insight into the significance of other key players, from Democratic leader Stephen Douglas to Republican party leader William Seward. However, more than just a politcal history, letters and quotes from common townspeople provide a complete view of the perceptions of the time. As an avid reader of history, I can safely say that this work combines the detail of Shelby Foote with the adventure of David McCullough. Bravo McClintock!

The normal historical point of view for November 1860 to April 1861 is Southern. Lincoln and the efforts to find a comprise are noted but the main story is what the South is doing. This book changes that by concentrating on Northern politics and reactions. Secession and all the maneuvering for and against it, take place off stage. Except for South Carolina, leaving the Union was a wrenching process. Many Southern states resisted secession until the very end. Kentucky was not able to make a choice and Maryland may not have been able to choose. Their stories are the subject of most histories about this period.
What about the North? How did the political, personal and public opinion shape a response to the crisis? This book tells that story and what a story it is. The Democrats, badly damaged by the events 1860, try to blame everything on the Republicans. While they work to construct a comprise to save the Union one more time. The Republicans are not united nor are they sure how to proceed. A substantial part of the party sides with the Democrats in trying to find a comprise. Another large faction is ready to allow the South to leave the Union. Large numbers feel that secession is wrong but that the Federal government lacks the authority to force states back into the Union. Many question if it is desirable to use force to maintain the Union and if doing so would not destroy the Union. Added is the plea of Southern Unionists for something to stop secession.
Lincoln, Douglas, Seward stride across these pages. Each man with multiple agendas that create and destroy alliances. Each man trying to lead his political party, maintain the Union and do what he feels is best for the nation. Shifting priorities, new developments, regional pride and abrupt changes of position make this a rollercoaster ride even if we know the story.
Russell McClintock is an excellent author. He tells this story in a straightforward manner with minimum back tracking. This allows each event to be placed in the proper perspective of the time and almost makes the reader forget we know the story. While moving from Washington to Springfield to New York, we never lose the story line nor the reason for the trip.
The decisions made during this time were difficult ones. The issues were complex and the correct response unclear. This book captures that and explains it to the reader in an informative and enjoyable way.

Lincoln Finds a General - A Military Study of the Civil War is a 5 volume
masterpiece in the old style. Kenneth P. Williams is not afraid to take all the time he thinks necessary to explain the military side of the war to his satisfaction and he is forward enough to state his opinion on the participants competency, honesty and sense of honor. Things not normally found in a modern history. If you can't get your hands on the entire set, try picking up the first volume. And believe me, if you are a Civil War enthusiast, you will end up getting the entire collection.

(This pertains just to Volume I) We have had three Presidents who conducted a major war: Lincoln, Wilson, and Franklin Roosevelt. Wilson had John J. Pershing; Roosevelt had George C. Marshall. Lincoln had none; his greatest prospect was Robert E. Lee. So the very title of this book conveys a task for Lincoln that had to be done, if the Union were to survive. And so, Professor Williams starts out telling us in no uncertain terms that the beginning of the war showed no generals likely to be able to do the job . . . he completes Volume One with McClellan--who is not the general Lincoln wants. And we are anxious for subsequent volume(s) for Professor Williams takes us to Sam Grant--the general Lincoln finally found. This book moves along, and as it does, we fairly ache with the disappointment Lincoln suffered time and time again.

Excellent analysis of beginning of Civil War and McClellan's rise/beginning of his fall. William's easily readable, yet thorough analysis of the political and military goings-on just prior to the fall of Fort Sumter through Antietam makes one anxious to read the complete set of Lincoln Finds a General. Obviously no fan of McCellan, Kenneth Williams makes an eloquent case against "the redoubtable McC" and gives a clear picture of the difficulties he made for Lincoln by his hesitancy and obtuseness. In this volume, Williams paves the way for other volumes illustrating the further trials of Linclon in his search for a military man who could help him save the nation-one who was not overawed by Bobby Lee. One can imagine his thankfulness and relief when he found Grant: "I can't spare this man--he fights!" As a Civil War buff of 40 years, I was enchanted by this book and have spent over 10 years searching for the complete set--I found it once in an antique book store in Columbia, SC for $350 (first edition set of the complete original volumes) at a time when that seemed a fortune to me. I wish I had gotten that set as I have never seen it again, but I have re-read this little volume so many times that it is greatly worn--proof of its readabiliy and texture. A real treat for any Civil War buff.

THE LINCOLN FUNERAL TRAIN is the story of an extraordinary journey never before told with such thoroughness. It brings the importance of state funerals for PResident Abraham Lincoln into clear focus. The book is laced with maps, photos, illustrations and things like detailed maps, train schedules, copies of the telegraphs, accounts of the preparations by many funeral committees and stories of the many ceremonies and memorials held as the train passed through seven states over 22 railroads annd two ferry transfers on the Hudson River.

The book is 224 pages, 8 1/2 x 11, hardcover with color dust jacket.

Chapters include:

The Events of April 14 and 15, 1865

Planning the Funeral Train and the United States Military Railroads

Washington - Baltimore - Harrisburg April 21, 1865

Harrisburg - Philadelphia April 22, 1865

Philadelphia - New York April 24, 1865

New Your - Albany April 25, 1865

Albany - Syracuse - Buffalo April 26-27, 1865

Buffalo - Erie - Cleveland April 27-28, 1865

Cleveland - Columbus April 28-29, 1865

Columbus - Richmond - Indianapolis April 29-30, 1865

Indianapolis April 30, 1865

Indianapolis - Michigan City - Chicago May 1, 1865

Chicago - Bloomington - Springfield May 2-3, 1865

A Long Journey's End May 4, 1865

Comprehensive Appendices

ABSOLUTELY READ THIS BOOK IF YOU READ NO OTHERS!

BUY IT FOR SURE!!!!!

This is a profound book focusing on the presidential funeral journey for Abraham Lincoln. It is beautifully done, well illustrated, excellent maps, with photos and a marvelous and captivating story line that follows through. Eash chapter seems to surround the events at the stop for that day. It gets down to the trackside level of the ordinary person and really brings out the common man's response to the president's death. This ought to be required reading for every presidental and history scholar. It definitely should be in every public and school library. Destined to be a classic! A keeper in my library!!!! I hope this author writes more books of this quality. If you don't read another history book, read this one.

This is an extraordinary accounting of the journey of Lincoln's funeral train and how America responded. From start to finish this is a detailed book with maps, photos and text following closely. Just not another dry book about the life of Abraham Lincoln. The author takes you there, through the big state memorials to the little trackside memorials and brief stops. The reader only need close his eyes to hear the train, the hymns and other demonstrations of sorrow. It is not hard to imagine the endless miles of mourners, the expressions of sorrow shown by a merciful and humble nation. Truly, this book demonstrates the extraordinary national observances of Lincoln and the first national funeral for a fallen president. A very impressive book and worthy of every library. The book is well assembled with color dust jacket and solid case. Worth every penny.

Comprehensive examination of primary documents gives credibility to the conclusions drawn by the author. Those interested in the Civil War era, Abraham Lincoln, or simply the motivation behind great men and women will enjoy this book.

Kudos to Mr. Burkhimer. Finally a well documented case history of the religious beliefs of our favorite President. Mr. Burkhimer manages to use scores of primary sources to prove his conclusions. His style is smooth and erudite. This is a very controversal subject among historians but, Mr. Burkhimer handles it deftly. Many will find the conclusions interesting and surprising. I highly recommend this book to all scholars who collect Lincoln books, and also to anyone interested in our country's past and the thoughts and motivations of our former leaders. This book will certainly prove to be a classic!

Very informative A great read with a different perspective on Lincoln's spirituality. A timely subject. I highly reccomend it.

This is not a review but a call for help. A market that needs to be met is a fact based but fictional history of the Union blockade of the Confederacy along the lines of C. S. Forrester's Hornblower novels.

The growth of the American Navy as a permanent force on the seas began in the Civil War and the building of the blockading force should provide a rich background to any solid writer of fiction that choses to devote the time to it.

As a wargamer, i bought this book to have detailed information and pictures about ironclads but i got much more. The author not only gives plenty of details for each class of vessels but you also get insider information on how to build an ironclad, the life at sea at the time and a description of every shipyard then in use, some still as it were. For the navy buff and/or wargamer. Lots of pictures.

A good source of information on the Organizatin, Ships, men and equipment of the American navy of the civil war.

A must have for anyone interested in the naval aspects of the american civil war.

This book was soooo good. I read it from cover to cover in 2 days I could not put it down. A love story mixed with some action and some drama, this book was great. I agree with the review below even though the lead character was a grimey individual I found myself rooting for him to make it through. And the crazy cousin across the street was all too real. Lincoln Lee has done it again I cant wait to read his next book.

For all those who read "teflon", also by lincoln lee, Loyalty and Betrayal is a definite must read. This book takes a realistic approach to all of its characters enabling the reader to bond with them all the more. Teflon was good but Loyalty and Betrayal is huge step up. As a whole product this one is just better. Better story, characters, writing, just the total package and presentation shows progress on the author's part. good stuff.

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author & I enjoyed the 1st book but this book was even better. I couldn't put this book down. This book kept my heart pounding trying to see what would happen next. Even though the main character was so ruthless you could not help but bond with him & root him on hoping that he would make it through. This book was great!

I'm just writing to correct the Midwestern Book Review's review. The translation is the Revised (not "Roman") Standard Version, Catholic Edition. The RSV is the finest translation available, in my opinion. The RSV-CE Bible is available by Ignatius Press as the Ignatius Holy Bible.

If you want to see the cover of the book, go to the Ignatius Press homepage.

A Medieval Christmas illustrates words of scripture (taken verbatim from the Roman Standard Version, Catholic edition, of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke). Gorgeous medieval-style color illustrations of humans and angels illuminate the scriptural tale of the birth and early life of Jesus Christ. A Medieval Christmas is an enthusiastically recommended holiday season treasure for all ages.

Currently the amazon detail page for this 28 page product lists the Ignatius Press itself as the author, yet their website lists a Frances Johnson as author, the cover image here being to blurry to see. Therefore I have submitted a request for product update to list the author as listed by the publisher.*

Nevertheless, as the publisher's own product description page mentions in detail the RSV's translation of Saint Luke and of Saint Matthew as source of the text, and three other artists as illustrators, perhaps Ms. Johnson's role might better be described as editor or compiler. Here in part is the publisher's presentation of the pictures's provenance:

"Gerard Horenbout, one of the illuminators of The Sforza Hours, illustrates a simple Nativity using rich reds, greens and blues; the Annunciation to the Shepherds, depicted by the Master of the Duke of Bedford, is marvelously detailed and surrounded by classic miniatures; the Master of the Dresden Hours, a prolific Flemish artist of the late 1400's, has strewn his Epiphany with flowers, so realistic that it seems possible to pick them off the page."

Certainly a slim selection at 28 pages but one worthwhile, despite any scholar sniffing at the exact date when the medieval age drew to a close.

For further reading along these lines please see the numerous Christmas commentaries, in particular the meditations of Charles De Foucauld in the Poor Claire's garden in Bethlehem, the Reverend Father John Dear's Mary of Nazareth: Prophet of Peace, and of course Father Leonardo Boff's new book on the Hail Mary and Our Father, etc.

*please note that our great and mighty amazon has made the corrections as requested. We must all give thanks each and every one of us for this remarkable service unimaginable just a generation ago.

The moon is tempted to earth to see what the bogels are up to. She gets captured trying to save a boy from their clutches, and the moon disappears. The boy must figure out how to save her. The artwork is wonderfully creepy, and the clutching, grasping, creaking, slurping descriptions bring to life the will o' the wisps and the bog-filled countryside. Not overly firghtening but thrilling enough (especially the bogels) to introduce an old, spooky, English folktale to youngsters.

The book was so well illustrated and colorful. Story was real scary. What a unique book.
Sally Molock

My husband, daughters (4 & 5) and I all loved the book. Beautiful art work. A little more sophisticated story line.

I have this book Its a great book and gives you a glimps of the Man John Kennedy who was also President.Its a well rounded book giving the reader the feel of being there.

my twelve years is a very interesting book because
it's the remembering of his secratary who know him.
we can learn how he was and not only his politics.
so read it!

The book was really great and I have read a lot of books on John F Kennedy. The book gave a human aspect of the campaign and the day to day life of the kennedy administration.