ebooks Lincoln’s Greatest Journey: Sixteen Days that Changed a Presidency; March 24 – April 8; 1865 by Noah Andre Trudeau in History

Review

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Treat yourself to a great reading journey with Trudeau's Lincoln's Greatest Journey!By C. M MillsYour humble review has thousands of books on the Civil War. Many of them are great reading and some are downright as dull as ditchwater!Over 16;000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln our sixteenth and greatest POTUS. Many of the books rehash old canards; myths and tales lifted from earlier biographers. Hold on! This new book by Noah Andre Trudeau; has everything to whet the appetite of Lincoln and Civil War buffs! The story that is told deals with the sixteen days our sixteenth president spent inCity Pointr Virginia in his attempt to escape the confinements and hassles he was forced to deal with in Washington City. City Point was the headquarters of the Army led by General US Grant. It was from this key spot that the attacks on Petersburg; and Richmond would be successfully launched. The battles of Five Forks was won and Lee's Army was forced to flee from the Richmond area to face ultimate defeat in the Appomattox Campaign leading to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant on Good Friday April 9; 185. You will meet such fascinating characters in these eloquently written pages as Lincoln; his son Tad and Mary his volatile wife. Good insights on military men Grant; Sherman; Sheridan and others are etched in colorful prose. Battles are explained in understandable and succinct style.The book is well illustrated with period art and photograph and a good bibliography is provided. Maps are also provided. This is a book which will enlighten a little known period in Lincoln's presidency. A fine minor classic of the Civil War historian's art. A great gift for a Civil War orLincoln fan.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Long overdue and well written book!By Angela MayerThis examination of Lincoln's trip to City Point; VA in the spring of 1865 is such a long overdue book!I even enjoyed the introduction (I usually find them somewhat tiring and hardly ever finish) in which the author argues the case for writing about this topic.Not only are there so many scraps of information spread in so many different places that it is difficult to paint a full picture without bringing them together; but Mr. Trudeau also argues that this 16 day venture of President Lincoln is – in many descriptions – overshadowed by his assassination which happened only days after his return to Washington.He intensely focuses on a different viewpoint throughout the day-by-day narrative that looks certainly not for symbols of impending doom but rather the important insights Lincoln collected on the front in order to round his plans for reconstruction and how to best serve the men who won this war for him.The narrative is straight forward and a very enjoyable read.Any Lincoln insider who might miss a popular anecdote here or there is in for a treat when the author discusses his reasons for composing the chapters as he did in the appendix.While there are many footnotes throughout the book; the true insight to the author’s extensive research can be found here and – once again – it is organized on a day-by-day narrative.I thought this a brilliant idea to add more information to the sources he used.The book is packed with little anecdotes I heard for the first time.For example – the fact that the NY Herald enjoyed Lincoln’s dispatches from the front so much that it’s editors mock offered him a job at their publication. I mentioned this here on another thread.Another was the fact that Lincoln insisted on riding one of Grant’s horses – a pony; really – only because it was called Jeff Davis.Even for this little incident Mr. Trudeau offers various sources.These little yarns are peppered throughout the book and make a truly insightful study an enjoyable and fun read at the same time.I have spoken to the author and learned that he will be one of the ALA speakers next February in Springfield as well as give a talk on “Virtual Book Signings” from the ALincoln-Book-Shop in Chicago in the first week of December.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well Worth the ReadBy Janet K. SchwartzkopfI enjoyed this book a great deal; and yet I didn't come away with any firm conviction that the days Lincoln spent with Grant away from Washington as the Civil War moved to its conclusion really changed Lincoln or his presidency. And; of course; it really wouldn't have matter if it had changed Lincoln and his direction because his life was down to a handful of days remaining by the time he returned to Washington.In reality; it reads more like the account of a busman's holiday. Lincoln came. He met with Grant; Sherman and Sheridan. He traveled to Petersburg; and later to Richmond after they fell. He spent a lot of time conversing with some of Grant's subordinates. He left a few unfortunates to deal with his wife and her problems. He reviewed troops. He sent telegrams back to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton that became the basis for some on-the-spot reporting of the last days of the war. In the end; he went home; and almost immediately Lee surrendered.Still; for me; a few things really stood out. Of course; the accounts of his visits to Richmond are well known; but Trudeau supplies testimony from some lesser-known lights that aren't frequently utilized; or haven't been until now. In fact; the author's efforts to sort out the wheat from the chaff at the end of his narrative are quite interesting; and he doesn't hesitate to say who he believes offers up the truthful and accurate accounts; and who has embellished their memories. He also works hard to pin some lesser events to their correct days. Lincoln's efforts to treat with the Confederates are also explained; although they aren't much different from what he had had done in Louisiana following its capture and occupation. Perhaps what struck me the most was his kindness; from meeting with a captured rebel general whose brother had served with Lincoln in Congress to his visit to the army field hospital and his commitment to shake the hands of all the approximately 7;000 patients being cared for. Writers frequently cite Lincoln's kindness and humanity; but Trudeau does an excellent job providing examples.As I say; while I doubt Lincoln had any major breakthroughs in his thinking during this trip; I did enjoy the book; it's well-written and certainly worth the time of anyone who enjoys reading about the American Civil War and our greatest president.