1865: America Makes War and Peace in Lincoln's Final Year

by Harold Holzer (Editor), Michael B. Ballard (Contributor), Richard Wightman Fox (Contributor)

In 1865 Americans faced some of the most important issues in the nation’s history: the final battles of the Civil War, the struggle to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, the peace process, reconstruction, the role of freed slaves, the tragedy of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, and the trials of the conspirators. In this illuminating collection, prominent historians of nineteenth-century America offer insightful overviews of the individuals, events, and issues that shaped the future of the United States in 1865.

Following an introduction by renowned Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer, nine new essays explore the end of the Civil War, Lincoln’s death, and the start of the tentative peace in 1865. Michael Vorenberg discusses how Lincoln shepherded through the House of Representatives the resolution sending the Thirteenth Amendment to the states for ratification, John F. Marszalek and Michael B. Ballard examine the partnership of Lincoln’s war management and General Ulysses S. Grant’s crucial last thrusts against Robert E. Lee, and Richard Striner recounts how Lincoln faced down Confederate emissaries who proposed immediate armistice if Lincoln were to reverse the Emancipation Proclamation. Ronald C. White Jr. offers a fresh look at Lincoln’s second inaugural address, and Richard Wightman Fox provides a vivid narrative of Lincoln’s dramatic walk through Richmond after the Confederates abandoned their capital.

Turning to Lincoln’s assassination, Edward Steers Jr. relates the story of Booth’s organizational efforts that resulted in the events of that fateful day, and Frank J. Williams explains the conspirators’ trial and whether they should have faced military or civilian tribunals. Addressing the issue of black suffrage, Edna Greene Medford focuses on the African American experience in the final year of the war. Finally, Holzer explains the use of visual arts to preserve the life and legacy of the martyred president.

Rounding out the volume are a chronology of national and international events during 1865, a close look at Lincoln’s activities and writings from January 1 through April 14, and other pertinent materials. This thoughtful collection provides an engaging evaluation of one of the most crucial years in America’s evolution.

Genres: Civil War, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2015

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the collection of esseys but didn't
love them. The four Appendixes moved this one from
a 3.25 to maybe 3.75 rating.

[Stewart Sutin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fills in Gaps

The most substantive chapters in this book offer compelling insights into elements in president Lincoln’s final year that are otherwise not treated elsewhere, or given short shrift. Well done! But a couple of chapters cause the reader to wonder why they were included at all. On the whole, this book is a quick reader, and worth the effort.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this from GoodRead's 'first-reads' program. It's an uncorrected bound copy (proofing).

It's a collection of essays discussing the last four months of Lincoln's life (January 1st through the assassination on April 14th and his death in the early hours of April 15th). The essays are well done, interesting, and providing new insights on the year; the war; and mainly on Lincoln, his actions, mindset, hopes and goals for 1865 and beyond. Not a huge amount of essays, but all that is there is very good. I enjoyed the read and learning new facts on the Civil War and Lincoln.