Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

· Sold by Penguin
3.9
7 reviews
Ebook
352
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

"James M. McPherson’s Tried by War is a perfect primer . . . for anyone who wishes to under­stand the evolution of the president’s role as commander in chief. Few histo­rians write as well as McPherson, and none evoke the sound of battle with greater clarity." —The New York Times Book Review

The Pulitzer Prize–winning author reveals how Lincoln won the Civil War and invented the role of commander in chief as we know it


As we celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, this study by preeminent, bestselling Civil War historian James M. McPherson provides a rare, fresh take on one of the most enigmatic figures in American history. Tried by War offers a revelatory (and timely) portrait of leadership during the greatest crisis our nation has ever endured. Suspenseful and inspiring, this is the story of how Lincoln, with almost no previous military experience before entering the White House, assumed the powers associated with the role of commander in chief, and through his strategic insight and will to fight changed the course of the war and saved the Union.

Ratings and reviews

3.9
7 reviews
A Google user
November 1, 2011
Not very satisfying as it repeats all of the myths about Lincoln's generals failing him. The real story is he was an incompetent leader who failed to set goals and gain the trust of those working for him. Most of the problems were due to Lincoln's poor management and stunning blunders. This book doesn't address these issues. If you want a watered down pro Lincoln view of his leadership that doesn't address the actual problems but merely perpetuates the myths that are popular today, then this is a book for you. But you will not gain much of an insight to the real reasons for the failures of the Union armies.
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About the author

James M. McPherson is the George Henry Davis ’86 Professor of History Emeritus at Princeton University. He is the bestselling author of numerous books on the Civil War, including Battle Cry of Freedom, which won the Pulitzer Prize, Tried by War, and For Cause and Comrades, both of which won the Lincoln Prize.

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