1858: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and the War They Failed to See

1858: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, JEFFERSON DAVIS, ROBERT E. LEE, ULYSSES S. GRANT AND THE WAR THEY FAILED TO SEE BRUCE CHADWICK SOURCEBOOKS, INC., 2008 HARDCOVER, $24.95, 368 PAGES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, ENDNOTES, INDEX, PHOTOGRAPHS The seven figures who suddenly leap onto history's stage and shape the great moments to come are: Jefferson Davis, who lived a life out of a romantic novel, and who almost died from herpes simplex of the eye; the disgruntled Colonel Robert E. Lee, who had to decide whether he would stay in the military or return to Virginia to run his family's plantation; William Tecumseh Sherman, one of the great Union generals, who had been reduced to running a roadside food stand in Kansas; the uprising of eight abolitionists in Oberlin, Ohio, aho freed a slave apprehended by slave catchers, and set off a fiery debate across America; a dramatic speech by New York Senator William Seward in Rochester, which foreshadowed The War Between the States and which seemed to solidify his hold on the 1860 Republican Presidential nomination; John Brown's raid on a plantation in Missouri, where he freed several slaves, and marched them 1,100 miles to Canada, to be followed a year later by his catastrophic attack on Harper's Ferry, Virginia; and finally, Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas' seven historic debates with little-known Abraham Lincoln in the Illinois Senate race, that would bring the ambitious and determined Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States. As these stories unfold, the author shows how the country reluctantly stumbled towards that moment in April, 1861, when South Carolina opened fire on Fort Sumter. Author Bruce Chadwick offers insight into a time too often distorted by popular myths and half-truths while at the same time putting a human picture on Lincoln, Davis, Lee, and Grant. An engrossing account of a critical time in U.S. history. Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard Orlando, Florida

This was a very interesting take of how the Civil War became inevitable. The parallels to current politics is very eye openning. Very quick and good read.

1858 is an historical account of three years prior to the war between the states and gives the reader insights into the thinking of A. Lincoln, J. Davis, President Buchanan, Robert E. Lee and others prior to the 1858 election. It is very enjoyable and tells why President Buchanan was not very good at his job.

There are years in our history that have become the defining periods of events that they preclude. 1858 is one such year. In his new book 1858, Bruce Chadwick brings to print the defining year in our nation history. In many ways this particular year is not known for what great things were done, but for things that could have been done, but were not. Chadwick details the political environment of the year in such a way as to provide the reader with a "well that explains that" moment in regards to the cataclysmic events that would take place in the United States of America in the thirty-six short months that followed. Abraham Lincoln was an unknown state politician in Illinois; Robert E. Lee was facing the largest challenges of his life keeping his family's land holding together. Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecusah Sherman were near destitution. Jefferson Davis nearly died. Yet these men and many others would rise to the forefront of American history in the following two years and shape our country into what it has become today. 1858 was the year of the Kansas/Missouri border clashes, John Brown, and the first year the Republican Party won election in any major political battle. Political infighting between Stephen Douglas and President James Buchanan, indirectly leading to Abraham Lincoln's election win in 1860, leaving Buchanan with the legacy of being the most naïve and least effective president in the history of our country. If not for Buchanan's unethical double-dealings, lack of focus on America's internal troubles and contemptible lack of leadership, the Civil War may not have taken place. Author Chadwick is to be commended. 1858 is a true literary gem in the American History genre. It should be read by every citizen and shared with generations to come-lest we not forget our mistakes. Armchair Interviews says: If you love American History, this book is a necessary addition to your library.

In a very engaging style, Bruce Chadwick offers a look at some of the most influential players of the civil war: Lincoln, Davis, Sherman, Lee, Grant and William Seward; what was going on in their lives and the country. Buttressing the backdrop to the stories of those great men are the stories of Stephen Douglas and John Brown. Tying the players together, Chadwick uses the ineffective and wrathful presidency of James Buchanan (a stubborn president determined to ignore the slavery issue while being consumed with personal and political vendettas and pursuing a Don "Quixote-like foreign policy"). Chadwick does an excellent job in his history of 1858. Although it is highly unlikely any of the historic figures of the times might have put off the war John Brown insisted was imminent, it seems Buchanan's stubbornness simply stoked the fires leading to war (through his attempted orchestration to destroy Stephen Douglas and a host of other political enemies he made burning bridges along the way). Buchanan's belligerence may well have been the blessing that brought Lincoln to center stage as well, so there is much to contemplate after reading what Chadwick offers. It's certainly all fascinating and the author does a wonderful job bringing us along (it is a true historical page turner). The anecdotes throughout (of all the players) are wonderful tidbits of information most of us have probably never heard before. A highly recommended read for those with interest in what might have led to what was this nation's greatest tragedy and ultimate victory. In the meantime, I'm going back to read some more of what this very talented writer has to offer.