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Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America
From the author of The Ground Breaking, longlisted for the National Book Award, comes a riveting saga of the last year of the Civil War—and a revealing new account of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Told with a page-turning pace, New York Times bestselling author and historian Scott Ellsworth has written the most compelling new book about the Civil War in years. Focusing on the last, desperate months of the war, when the outcome was far from certain, Midnight on the Potomac is a story of titanic battles, political upheaval, and the long-forgotten Confederate terror war against the loyal citizens of the North. Taking us behind the scenes in the White House, along the battlefronts in Virginia, and into the conspiracies of spies and secret agents, Lincoln walks these pages, as do Grant and Sherman. But so do common soldiers, runaway slaves, and an unknown but intrepid female war correspondent named Lois Adams. Rarely, if ever, has a book about the Civil War featured such a rich and diverse cast of characters.
Midnight on the Potomac will also shatter some long-held myths. For more than a century and a half, the Lincoln assassination has been portrayed as the sole brainchild of a disgruntled, pro-South actor. But based on both obscure contemporary accounts and decades of long-ignored scholarship, Ellsworth reveals that for nearly one year before the tragic events at Ford’s Theatre, John Wilkes Booth had been working closely with agents of the Confederate Secret Service. And the real Booth is far from the one we’ve long been presented with.
Deeply researched yet captivatingly written, Midnight on the Potomac is a new kind of book about the Civil War. In it you will read about the Confederate attempt to burn down New York City, how Lincoln almost lost the presidency, about the Rebel general who nearly captured Washington, and how thousands of enslaved African Americans freed themselves—and helped secure their nation’s survival. In an age of deep political division such as our own, Scott Ellsworth’s book is an eloquent and gripping testament to the courage, grit, and greatness of the American people.
Told with a page-turning pace, New York Times bestselling author and historian Scott Ellsworth has written the most compelling new book about the Civil War in years. Focusing on the last, desperate months of the war, when the outcome was far from certain, Midnight on the Potomac is a story of titanic battles, political upheaval, and the long-forgotten Confederate terror war against the loyal citizens of the North. Taking us behind the scenes in the White House, along the battlefronts in Virginia, and into the conspiracies of spies and secret agents, Lincoln walks these pages, as do Grant and Sherman. But so do common soldiers, runaway slaves, and an unknown but intrepid female war correspondent named Lois Adams. Rarely, if ever, has a book about the Civil War featured such a rich and diverse cast of characters.
Midnight on the Potomac will also shatter some long-held myths. For more than a century and a half, the Lincoln assassination has been portrayed as the sole brainchild of a disgruntled, pro-South actor. But based on both obscure contemporary accounts and decades of long-ignored scholarship, Ellsworth reveals that for nearly one year before the tragic events at Ford’s Theatre, John Wilkes Booth had been working closely with agents of the Confederate Secret Service. And the real Booth is far from the one we’ve long been presented with.
Deeply researched yet captivatingly written, Midnight on the Potomac is a new kind of book about the Civil War. In it you will read about the Confederate attempt to burn down New York City, how Lincoln almost lost the presidency, about the Rebel general who nearly captured Washington, and how thousands of enslaved African Americans freed themselves—and helped secure their nation’s survival. In an age of deep political division such as our own, Scott Ellsworth’s book is an eloquent and gripping testament to the courage, grit, and greatness of the American people.
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First published July 15, 2025
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About the author
Scott Ellsworth
6 books108 followersScott Ellsworth is the bestselling author of several books, including The Secret Game, which was the winner of the 2016 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing. He has written about American history for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Formerly a historian at the Smithsonian Institution, he is the author of Death in a Promised Land, his groundbreaking account of the 1921 Tulsa race riot. He teaches at the University of Michigan.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 24, 2025
I’ve been thinking about what type of reader I’d recommend this book to. It’s probably a reasonable introduction for people who don’t know much about the Civil War and are looking for an intro to its final year, since it’s well written, readable, and moves along quickly.
On the other hand, people who are deeply steeped in Civil War history will find this way too simplistic and may not appreciate some of the rabbit holes Ellsworth goes down at the expense of battlefield details, for instance.
I belong to a third group. I have a reasonable grounding in matters related to the Civil War, but I appreciated this 30,000 ft view of the last year. It is as if Ellsworth puts selected non-military topics in sharp focus, while leaving the campaigns as a kind of blurry background. He doesn’t omit them, but they aren’t his primary interest.
One of these threads is the way Confederate spies used Canada as their base while they concocted schemes to kidnap Lincoln or terrorize the citizens of northern and midwestern cities. I was vaguely aware of that, but it was interesting to see it put in the context of the 1864 election and subsequent events.
Ellsworth also takes pains to emphasize the contributions of non-combatants to the Union cause, especially women. He repeatedly cites Lois Adams, a newspaperwoman from Michigan who came to Washington during the war and worked in government offices and hospitals. He gives much credit to the many women, celebrated and otherwise, who worked as nurses. I knew City Point, on the James River not far from Richmond, as a key supply depot and railroad transfer station for the Union, but had no idea there was a very active hospital there.
And then there are the African Americans, whether previously enslaved or free. The men joined military units and the women worked in various support positions. Many of the “contraband”, those who had escaped slavery during the course of the war, ended up in Washington DC. While their living conditions there may have been appalling, their presence at events such as Lincoln’s inaugural signaled a change in the look of America.
Of course, the Lost Cause promoters saw to it that this new look wasn’t permanent, as Ellsworth explains in his epilogue.
All in all, I considered this a “good read”. And given Ellsworth’s particular emphasis, I have to wonder whether it will be banned from libraries in some locations. Sigh. The battle clearly never ends.
On the other hand, people who are deeply steeped in Civil War history will find this way too simplistic and may not appreciate some of the rabbit holes Ellsworth goes down at the expense of battlefield details, for instance.
I belong to a third group. I have a reasonable grounding in matters related to the Civil War, but I appreciated this 30,000 ft view of the last year. It is as if Ellsworth puts selected non-military topics in sharp focus, while leaving the campaigns as a kind of blurry background. He doesn’t omit them, but they aren’t his primary interest.
One of these threads is the way Confederate spies used Canada as their base while they concocted schemes to kidnap Lincoln or terrorize the citizens of northern and midwestern cities. I was vaguely aware of that, but it was interesting to see it put in the context of the 1864 election and subsequent events.
Ellsworth also takes pains to emphasize the contributions of non-combatants to the Union cause, especially women. He repeatedly cites Lois Adams, a newspaperwoman from Michigan who came to Washington during the war and worked in government offices and hospitals. He gives much credit to the many women, celebrated and otherwise, who worked as nurses. I knew City Point, on the James River not far from Richmond, as a key supply depot and railroad transfer station for the Union, but had no idea there was a very active hospital there.
And then there are the African Americans, whether previously enslaved or free. The men joined military units and the women worked in various support positions. Many of the “contraband”, those who had escaped slavery during the course of the war, ended up in Washington DC. While their living conditions there may have been appalling, their presence at events such as Lincoln’s inaugural signaled a change in the look of America.
Of course, the Lost Cause promoters saw to it that this new look wasn’t permanent, as Ellsworth explains in his epilogue.
All in all, I considered this a “good read”. And given Ellsworth’s particular emphasis, I have to wonder whether it will be banned from libraries in some locations. Sigh. The battle clearly never ends.
February 23, 2025
Maybe it makes me a bore or a pedant, but I typically gravitate to history books that are academic and matter-of-fact. That’s not to say that they can’t also be well-written, but I tend to prefer them to popular-history page-turners where the quality of the storytelling is a more important draw than the information it aims to impart.
But I have to admit that, with mostly minor reservations, I actually enjoyed this popular-history page-turner more than I thought I would.
By focusing on the last year of the Civil War and its immediate aftermath, the book aims to turn familiar tales of the war, the Confederate defeat and the Lincoln assassination into something of a suspenseful thriller. And it mostly succeeds. It’s a well-written, relatively short book, divided into dozens of short chapters, with short sections within each chapter, which helps to make it feel like a fast-paced read. Quick, frequent changes of characters, locales and topics - from the political scene in Washington, to activity on the battlefield, to the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, to the experiences of African Americans - keep things interesting and moving along. The book packs a lot into a small space and Ellsworth succeeds in keeping the reader’s attention, making it easy to decide to read just one more paragraph or one more chapter and find yourself staying up later than you anticipated.
Ellsworth does overdo it at times with a narrative tic that became annoying to me and quickly seemed hackneyed. He starts just about every chapter with a short, catchy, out-of-context first sentence, in an effort to intrigue you and draw you in. A short selection of these opening lines from the first half of the book:
• “Hardly anyone could understand the boy.”
• “There were four of them this time.”
• “His hands and feet were always cold.”
• “The applause was deafening.”
This could have been a more effective technique had it been used far more sparingly.
While the writing overall is very strong and compelling, in this style of book, nuances can sometimes be lost and details elided in order to serve the narrative flow - which is what separates a good, page-turning read from a more academic, painstakingly-precise history. For the apparent sake of ease and efficiency in storytelling, when there are disputed facts or different versions of a story, Ellsworth simply picks one and runs with it - some relatively minor (such as how Willie Lincoln became ill before he died), some that need far more explanation (such as asserting in a single sentence that Lincoln likely suffered from cancer in the year before his death), and some more glaring - particularly when he selectively quotes critics who hailed John Wilkes Booth as a “genius” and declares that he “wasn’t just another actor. He was a superstar” - without considering others’ assessments that he was actually far less talented, accomplished or renowned.
One of the book’s focal points is how Booth was not some impassioned loner, but had connections and meetings with Confederate sympathizers and operatives before carrying out the Lincoln assassination. Ellsworth seems enthralled by the possibility of a larger conspiracy and tantalizes the reader with a big reveal to come. Instead, he heavily insinuates but never quite comes out and implicates Confederate higher-ups in the assassination plot. It’s another elision that helps make for a good read but distinguishes this from a more academic work that might have more fully explored all of this and reached actual, reasoned conclusions.
The soaring, overlong afterword attempts to make grand pronouncements about What It All Means, but it didn’t really seem to fit the tone of the rest of the book. And while conventional, numbered citation endnotes would have been appreciated, Ellsworth substitutes a chatty, anecdote-filled notes on sources section, which, to be fair, is a good read in its own right.
It may seem like I have more criticism than praise to offer. But while I have some reservations about how the book turned out, and how it streamlined or simplified some things in order to serve the story, Ellsworth never outright misstates facts or misleads the reader. In the final analysis, I keep coming back to the fact that it was a well-written page-turner - and since that’s apparently what Ellsworth was going for, I’d say he largely succeeded.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Dutton for providing an advance copy of this book for review, ahead of its July 15th release.
But I have to admit that, with mostly minor reservations, I actually enjoyed this popular-history page-turner more than I thought I would.
By focusing on the last year of the Civil War and its immediate aftermath, the book aims to turn familiar tales of the war, the Confederate defeat and the Lincoln assassination into something of a suspenseful thriller. And it mostly succeeds. It’s a well-written, relatively short book, divided into dozens of short chapters, with short sections within each chapter, which helps to make it feel like a fast-paced read. Quick, frequent changes of characters, locales and topics - from the political scene in Washington, to activity on the battlefield, to the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, to the experiences of African Americans - keep things interesting and moving along. The book packs a lot into a small space and Ellsworth succeeds in keeping the reader’s attention, making it easy to decide to read just one more paragraph or one more chapter and find yourself staying up later than you anticipated.
Ellsworth does overdo it at times with a narrative tic that became annoying to me and quickly seemed hackneyed. He starts just about every chapter with a short, catchy, out-of-context first sentence, in an effort to intrigue you and draw you in. A short selection of these opening lines from the first half of the book:
• “Hardly anyone could understand the boy.”
• “There were four of them this time.”
• “His hands and feet were always cold.”
• “The applause was deafening.”
This could have been a more effective technique had it been used far more sparingly.
While the writing overall is very strong and compelling, in this style of book, nuances can sometimes be lost and details elided in order to serve the narrative flow - which is what separates a good, page-turning read from a more academic, painstakingly-precise history. For the apparent sake of ease and efficiency in storytelling, when there are disputed facts or different versions of a story, Ellsworth simply picks one and runs with it - some relatively minor (such as how Willie Lincoln became ill before he died), some that need far more explanation (such as asserting in a single sentence that Lincoln likely suffered from cancer in the year before his death), and some more glaring - particularly when he selectively quotes critics who hailed John Wilkes Booth as a “genius” and declares that he “wasn’t just another actor. He was a superstar” - without considering others’ assessments that he was actually far less talented, accomplished or renowned.
One of the book’s focal points is how Booth was not some impassioned loner, but had connections and meetings with Confederate sympathizers and operatives before carrying out the Lincoln assassination. Ellsworth seems enthralled by the possibility of a larger conspiracy and tantalizes the reader with a big reveal to come. Instead, he heavily insinuates but never quite comes out and implicates Confederate higher-ups in the assassination plot. It’s another elision that helps make for a good read but distinguishes this from a more academic work that might have more fully explored all of this and reached actual, reasoned conclusions.
The soaring, overlong afterword attempts to make grand pronouncements about What It All Means, but it didn’t really seem to fit the tone of the rest of the book. And while conventional, numbered citation endnotes would have been appreciated, Ellsworth substitutes a chatty, anecdote-filled notes on sources section, which, to be fair, is a good read in its own right.
It may seem like I have more criticism than praise to offer. But while I have some reservations about how the book turned out, and how it streamlined or simplified some things in order to serve the story, Ellsworth never outright misstates facts or misleads the reader. In the final analysis, I keep coming back to the fact that it was a well-written page-turner - and since that’s apparently what Ellsworth was going for, I’d say he largely succeeded.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Dutton for providing an advance copy of this book for review, ahead of its July 15th release.
May 1, 2025
There is something to be said for telling an old story a new way. It felt quite refreshing to look at the last year of the Civil War in Scott Ellsworth's Midnight on the Potomac. Ellsworth pieces together short, impactful vignettes of the North and South as the Civil War came to a close.
I would characterize the book as a gateway to history reading. If someone who didn't normally read history wanted a recommendation for a Civil War book which was short but entertaining, then I would recommend this one. That's not to say there aren't some new nuggets in here for buffs, though. The best parts of the book are when Ellsworth looks at a singular person who isn't written about anywhere else. For instance, I'd venture to say Amanda Akin, a Civil War nurse, is not generally highlighted in most literature on the war. Even though these sections can be short, they are not forgettable and they do add a new view to the proceedings. This is no small feat as I have run into a lot of books which just go off on a tangent rather than providing meaningful insights to background players.
Simply, if you don't know the Civil War and are even a little bit interested, pick this one up. If you have read a lot on the subject, then there is still some new things in here even if you know the high points. You'll still enjoy the ride.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by NetGalley and Dutton Books.)
I would characterize the book as a gateway to history reading. If someone who didn't normally read history wanted a recommendation for a Civil War book which was short but entertaining, then I would recommend this one. That's not to say there aren't some new nuggets in here for buffs, though. The best parts of the book are when Ellsworth looks at a singular person who isn't written about anywhere else. For instance, I'd venture to say Amanda Akin, a Civil War nurse, is not generally highlighted in most literature on the war. Even though these sections can be short, they are not forgettable and they do add a new view to the proceedings. This is no small feat as I have run into a lot of books which just go off on a tangent rather than providing meaningful insights to background players.
Simply, if you don't know the Civil War and are even a little bit interested, pick this one up. If you have read a lot on the subject, then there is still some new things in here even if you know the high points. You'll still enjoy the ride.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by NetGalley and Dutton Books.)
November 13, 2025
This book is a history of the final year of the American Civil War written in an engaging and accessible narrative. Though intended for the popular reading audience it contains sufficient scattered historical vignettes about little known individuals and happenings which will be new and of interest even to those who are well read on Civil War history.
Readers today have the advantage over those who lived through the era in real time in that we know how the war ends. Focusing on one year the book serves as a reminder that those at the time did not know where history was headed. Before the fall of Atlanta the sentiments in the North were quite pessimistic. Politicians at the time mostly agreed that Lincoln had no chance of being reelected. Grant's meat grinder style advances into Virginia came at such high cost, and the perception of Sherman's advances in the deep South were such that they would unlikely achieve much. But when Atlanta capitulated, and with the subsequent swift march to the sea, the sentiments in the North became much more optimistic.
This book elaborates extensively on conspiracies in the North among Confederate sympathizers which eventually lead to Lincoln's assassination. The author strives to make the point that John Wilkes Booth did not act alone, but that he was part of an organized conspiracy.
Readers today have the advantage over those who lived through the era in real time in that we know how the war ends. Focusing on one year the book serves as a reminder that those at the time did not know where history was headed. Before the fall of Atlanta the sentiments in the North were quite pessimistic. Politicians at the time mostly agreed that Lincoln had no chance of being reelected. Grant's meat grinder style advances into Virginia came at such high cost, and the perception of Sherman's advances in the deep South were such that they would unlikely achieve much. But when Atlanta capitulated, and with the subsequent swift march to the sea, the sentiments in the North became much more optimistic.
This book elaborates extensively on conspiracies in the North among Confederate sympathizers which eventually lead to Lincoln's assassination. The author strives to make the point that John Wilkes Booth did not act alone, but that he was part of an organized conspiracy.
December 2, 2025
5 Stars Midnight on the Potomac by Scott Ellsworth
What a bold and refreshing work of history. Midnight on the Potomac is a brave reimagining of the final year of the Civil War—one that refuses to retread the same old narratives and instead shines a more humane, inclusive light on a story we think we already know. Ellsworth tells it like it is. He reminds readers that in 1864–65, nothing was inevitable. The country’s fate was still hanging by a thread, and the decisions made by a few key figures—Lincoln, Grant, Sherman—carried enormous weight.
What sets this book apart is Ellsworth’s remarkable use of primary sources. Instead of relying only on the usual generals and politicians, he draws deeply from diaries and letters written by women and African Americans whose voices are too often sidelined in Civil War histories. Their lived experiences add emotional depth and a sense of immediacy that I found powerful and often moving. By weaving their stories into the broader sweep of events, he gives the conflict a human texture that traditional histories sometimes lack.
Ellsworth’s writing is clear, deeply researched, and at times downright lyrical. He manages to blend small, intimate anecdotes with the larger forces at play, creating a narrative that feels both grounded and expansive. It’s a new kind of history book—one that opens the umbrella wide enough to encompass all of us, not just the famous few.
For readers who want a Civil War book that brings fresh perspective, honors overlooked voices, and reads with the urgency of lived experience, this is a standout. Ellsworth also points the spotlight of truth on the southern scoundrels. He points out the whitewash of racial subjugation that took place at the start of the twentieth century. Highly recommended. Digital/audio
What a bold and refreshing work of history. Midnight on the Potomac is a brave reimagining of the final year of the Civil War—one that refuses to retread the same old narratives and instead shines a more humane, inclusive light on a story we think we already know. Ellsworth tells it like it is. He reminds readers that in 1864–65, nothing was inevitable. The country’s fate was still hanging by a thread, and the decisions made by a few key figures—Lincoln, Grant, Sherman—carried enormous weight.
What sets this book apart is Ellsworth’s remarkable use of primary sources. Instead of relying only on the usual generals and politicians, he draws deeply from diaries and letters written by women and African Americans whose voices are too often sidelined in Civil War histories. Their lived experiences add emotional depth and a sense of immediacy that I found powerful and often moving. By weaving their stories into the broader sweep of events, he gives the conflict a human texture that traditional histories sometimes lack.
Ellsworth’s writing is clear, deeply researched, and at times downright lyrical. He manages to blend small, intimate anecdotes with the larger forces at play, creating a narrative that feels both grounded and expansive. It’s a new kind of history book—one that opens the umbrella wide enough to encompass all of us, not just the famous few.
For readers who want a Civil War book that brings fresh perspective, honors overlooked voices, and reads with the urgency of lived experience, this is a standout. Ellsworth also points the spotlight of truth on the southern scoundrels. He points out the whitewash of racial subjugation that took place at the start of the twentieth century. Highly recommended. Digital/audio
September 3, 2025
Thanks so much to @duttonbooks for the finished copy of Midnight on the Potomac in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!
This is an interesting look at the last year of the Civil War and what political, social, military, and covert factors finally brought it to an end. What surprised me most is how cohesively Ellsworth takes a lifetime of potential information and trims it down to a narrative that shows how the Union finally won.
I think if you are a devoted Civil War reader, there might not be too much new here. If you know a bit about the war or are focused on one aspect like the military or political, this is a great overview of what else was going on at the time. From the nurses to the Contraband runaways to the spies gathering in Montreal, I was impressed with Ellsworth's breadth of research and inclusion.
I am loving this narrative nonfiction wave that's sweeping the history genre right now. These books are well written, exciting, and a great way to get lay-readers into history. My favorite thing in Midnight on the Potomac was all the reference and notes chapters, where he lists hundreds of articles, books, newspapers, online archives, and more for reference and additional reading.
I'd 100% recommend this one for anyone interested! There is also an audiobook read by the author, although you don't get the Notes chapters he is a good narrator! I'm encouraged at how many holds there were on it at the library here!
This is an interesting look at the last year of the Civil War and what political, social, military, and covert factors finally brought it to an end. What surprised me most is how cohesively Ellsworth takes a lifetime of potential information and trims it down to a narrative that shows how the Union finally won.
I think if you are a devoted Civil War reader, there might not be too much new here. If you know a bit about the war or are focused on one aspect like the military or political, this is a great overview of what else was going on at the time. From the nurses to the Contraband runaways to the spies gathering in Montreal, I was impressed with Ellsworth's breadth of research and inclusion.
I am loving this narrative nonfiction wave that's sweeping the history genre right now. These books are well written, exciting, and a great way to get lay-readers into history. My favorite thing in Midnight on the Potomac was all the reference and notes chapters, where he lists hundreds of articles, books, newspapers, online archives, and more for reference and additional reading.
I'd 100% recommend this one for anyone interested! There is also an audiobook read by the author, although you don't get the Notes chapters he is a good narrator! I'm encouraged at how many holds there were on it at the library here!
November 7, 2024
This was so well written that I couldn't put it down. I am a history buff, and I was so engrossed by the retelling of such a dark time in our history. The author did an amazing job with the way he presented the material. It was heartbreaking but gave you hope at the same time. This novel was well researched and revealed new information that has not been revealed about the Civil War and the Emancipation. I highly recommend this book for history lovers. I am planning on buying the physical copy when it releases in July of 2025.
November 28, 2025
Nice (if surprisingly subjective at times; e.g., no mention of "The Battle of the Crater" when discussing Petersburg, and nothing on Lincoln's fight for the 13th amendment; you should watch Spielberg's excellent "Lincoln" for that), informative overview of the final year of the American Civil War. Nothing really revelatory, but some interesting details I hadn't known before, mainly focused on the personalities involved rather than events themselves. In particular, I had on idea John Wilkes Booth was so famous — like, Brad Pitt famous — pre-assassination; and there was also interesting personal background on generals like McClellan, Sherman, Buell and others. I was also surprised by some of the "modern," unconventional aspects of the war: the South's terrorist attacks in the North (including an almost successful attempt to burn New York City), development of poison gas, planned assassinations of national leaders, etc. Also of interest was Ellsworth's description of the Battle of Monocacy, the closest the rebel army got to Washington, and therefore just about 45 minutes from where we now live; I really need to get up there sometime.
The book ends with a lengthy and fascinating explanation of the whole creation of the "lost cause" mythos in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which romanticized the Confederacy and turned traitors like Lee and Jackson into heroes, (while at the same time vilifying Booth and making him out to be a "crazed lone gunman," rather than part of a highly organized plot developed at least with the knowledge of the Confederate Secret Service). Sadly, this misguided reinvention of the Southern cause and its leaders continues to this day, and not only accounts for much of the racism that remains in America today, but also accounts for much of the MAGA "Make America White Again" mentality so beloved by our current president (who's trying hard to reinstall Confederate statues and rename military bases after disgraced rebel generals) and therefore acceptable to his gullible and impressionable supporters. So, y'know, FYDT.*
Book itself is highly recommended, although Ellsworth's self-narration was pretty painful; with just a few exceptions, I generally believe that other than humor books and memoirs, authors generally should NOT read their own work — please leave that to the professionals!
*
The book ends with a lengthy and fascinating explanation of the whole creation of the "lost cause" mythos in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which romanticized the Confederacy and turned traitors like Lee and Jackson into heroes, (while at the same time vilifying Booth and making him out to be a "crazed lone gunman," rather than part of a highly organized plot developed at least with the knowledge of the Confederate Secret Service). Sadly, this misguided reinvention of the Southern cause and its leaders continues to this day, and not only accounts for much of the racism that remains in America today, but also accounts for much of the MAGA "Make America White Again" mentality so beloved by our current president (who's trying hard to reinstall Confederate statues and rename military bases after disgraced rebel generals) and therefore acceptable to his gullible and impressionable supporters. So, y'know, FYDT.*
Book itself is highly recommended, although Ellsworth's self-narration was pretty painful; with just a few exceptions, I generally believe that other than humor books and memoirs, authors generally should NOT read their own work — please leave that to the professionals!
*
July 11, 2025
A stunning history that reads like a novel, with its poetic writing, alluring hooks, and storyline that pulls the reader into the last year of the Civil War. Ellsworth’s descriptions are vivid and full of color, and I can’t think of a more relevant time to read a book about our country fighting for people’s humanity.
Thank you to Dutton and Scott Ellsworth for the ARC of this book. It was a privilege to grow my understanding about this pivotal time in American history.
Thank you to Dutton and Scott Ellsworth for the ARC of this book. It was a privilege to grow my understanding about this pivotal time in American history.
August 6, 2025
When writing history for non-historians, authors have an obligation to be accurate. History is a social science, and science demands careful analysis and facts. Ellsworth, unfortunately, fails in this regard.
“By the last year of his life, he [Lincoln] was likely suffering from cancer.” (31) This has not been proven and, importantly, is likely not true based upon counter arguments.
“Then, suddenly, there it was: the nearly completed marble dome of the U.S. Capitol…” (57) The dome was, and still is, composed of iron and painted to appear as marble.
“Shortly after daybreak on September 2, Union troops entered the Georgia capital. Atlanta had fallen.” (106) Milledgevill was Georgia’s capital until 1868 (which he recognizes in a later chapter).
“In huge glass tanks filled with seawater pumped directly from New York Bay swam whales and sharks.” (144) Barnum only had two beluga whales, the tanks were not glass, and seawater flowed in during tidal changes, not pumped.
Also, the author exaggerates the threat of the Confederate armies after the fall of Richmond, as he attempts to create a greater sense of danger than existed at the time. This is an ongoing issue with the entire book.
Nevertheless I’ve awarded it a second star because his heart’s in the right place, but cannot recommend this to a reader with an interest in 1864-65 American history.
“By the last year of his life, he [Lincoln] was likely suffering from cancer.” (31) This has not been proven and, importantly, is likely not true based upon counter arguments.
“Then, suddenly, there it was: the nearly completed marble dome of the U.S. Capitol…” (57) The dome was, and still is, composed of iron and painted to appear as marble.
“Shortly after daybreak on September 2, Union troops entered the Georgia capital. Atlanta had fallen.” (106) Milledgevill was Georgia’s capital until 1868 (which he recognizes in a later chapter).
“In huge glass tanks filled with seawater pumped directly from New York Bay swam whales and sharks.” (144) Barnum only had two beluga whales, the tanks were not glass, and seawater flowed in during tidal changes, not pumped.
Also, the author exaggerates the threat of the Confederate armies after the fall of Richmond, as he attempts to create a greater sense of danger than existed at the time. This is an ongoing issue with the entire book.
Nevertheless I’ve awarded it a second star because his heart’s in the right place, but cannot recommend this to a reader with an interest in 1864-65 American history.
September 1, 2025
Despite being an avid Civil War buff who has read countless books on the subject….Midnight on the Potomac brought out a number of new and interesting nuggets about the conflict for me. What’s more, Scott Ellsworth, the author, has a gift for writing history that makes the story feel as if one is reading a fascinating historical novel, as opposed to a book made up of important dates and information. For that matter, despite the fact that I don’t particularly care for novels that move around in time, Ellsworth did this so seamlessly that it was easy to miss a backward or forward movement.
I found it particularly insightful to learn more about the mystery surrounding Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. While there has long been rumors that others higher up the chain might have been involved in Lincoln’s murder, it was interesting to read that Booth’s contemporaries viewed him as far too unorganized to be able to plan such a world-changing event on his own. Likewise, Ellsworth’s examination of the Confederate’s “lost cause” motif to explain the war and whitewash slavery was very insightful. All in all, this is a wonderful and well-written book for anyone interested in the American Civil War.
I found it particularly insightful to learn more about the mystery surrounding Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. While there has long been rumors that others higher up the chain might have been involved in Lincoln’s murder, it was interesting to read that Booth’s contemporaries viewed him as far too unorganized to be able to plan such a world-changing event on his own. Likewise, Ellsworth’s examination of the Confederate’s “lost cause” motif to explain the war and whitewash slavery was very insightful. All in all, this is a wonderful and well-written book for anyone interested in the American Civil War.
November 13, 2025
Between “1776” and “… The Last Year of the Civil War …” I’ve got to start taking these history book titles at face value.
It took me a little while to get into this because it does not hold your hand to recap what happened in the first three years of the war, so I had to do some extra research to catch up.
But once I was up to speed it was great; narrative history is definitely my jam. It really felt like a multi-POV fiction book in the way it tells the stories of the two main fronts of the war plus Booth / Confederate Secret Service in parallel and then how some pieces come together at the end (no spoilers!!!).
It took me a little while to get into this because it does not hold your hand to recap what happened in the first three years of the war, so I had to do some extra research to catch up.
But once I was up to speed it was great; narrative history is definitely my jam. It really felt like a multi-POV fiction book in the way it tells the stories of the two main fronts of the war plus Booth / Confederate Secret Service in parallel and then how some pieces come together at the end (no spoilers!!!).
September 6, 2025
What a tremendous read! This book is a thorough and exhaustively researched exploration of America as it was during the final year of the Civil War as well as the refutations of the absolute sheer nonsense of both the “lost cause” and that Booth did not act alone in the murder of Lincoln.
July 26, 2025
While always interesting and sometimes even riveting, Midnight on the Potomac seemed a bit directionless. Instead of a historical bird's eye view, the book tells the history through personal perspectives in a way that is very character driven, with the main story centered on John Wilkes Booth and the rebel plot to assasinate Lincoln.
While the re-framing of Booth is indeed interesting, the stories and pacing are a bit scattered, and there are many asides and chapters that follow other people, some for only a few pages. I understand the intention of the book was to capture the last years of the Civil War, but that broad telling does not fit well with the narative style and leaves a bit to be desired. There were many people and storylines that were introduced, briefly discussed, and then never followed up on.
That being said, the plethora of untold stories from unknown people was also the most fascinating aspect of the book and what ultimately pushed it from 3 stars to 4 stars for me.
While the re-framing of Booth is indeed interesting, the stories and pacing are a bit scattered, and there are many asides and chapters that follow other people, some for only a few pages. I understand the intention of the book was to capture the last years of the Civil War, but that broad telling does not fit well with the narative style and leaves a bit to be desired. There were many people and storylines that were introduced, briefly discussed, and then never followed up on.
That being said, the plethora of untold stories from unknown people was also the most fascinating aspect of the book and what ultimately pushed it from 3 stars to 4 stars for me.
August 7, 2025
I found the short chapters disjointed. Just when I started to settle in, there would literally be a chapter marked "intermission" and the flow would be disrupted. I waited a long time, and rather impatiently, for this release. Sad to say, I was disappointed.
April 9, 2025
This book is quite an ambitious undertaking. Ellsworth basically tells the story of the entire Civil War and brings it forward through Reconstruction, the Civil Rights movement, and today. The main focus was on the final year of the war, but his style is to set the stage for a particular battle, leave it with a bit of a cliffhanger, then move to a completely different story in time or place.
I think Civil War buffs may enjoy the book because they will be able to follow it. I got lost in all the back-and-forth, unfortunately.
The appended notes are the kind I like - full of additional stories and information. I think this could be a useful book for a Civil War researcher.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
I think Civil War buffs may enjoy the book because they will be able to follow it. I got lost in all the back-and-forth, unfortunately.
The appended notes are the kind I like - full of additional stories and information. I think this could be a useful book for a Civil War researcher.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
January 8, 2026
A longer text but easy and mostly engaging narrative which made it read fast. If you roll your eyes at the thought of a book on the Civil War, this might be your read. Some updated facts included as well. I felt it was a good refresher. If you are a CW scholar, however, probably not for you.
August 8, 2025
Nothing groundbreaking, but well paced and very approachable.
August 20, 2025
I enjoyed this book, I learned a lot about the last year of the civil war. It felt like a lot of the division between North and South is being played out again in today's politics.
December 3, 2025
Learned a lot about the atmosphere within the warring sides during the last year of the civil war.
Fascinating to consider the level of fame Booth had before his heinous crimes.
Fascinating to consider the level of fame Booth had before his heinous crimes.
July 20, 2025
Actually wanted to like this one more. A quick read that does give good information about the Civil war. However, it is pretty topical information. I think this book is great for those interested in the Civil War, but are new to the era. I probably could go 4 stars on this frankly.
July 18, 2025
Scott Ellsworth’s “Midnight on the Potomac: The Last Year of the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination, and the Rebirth of America” electrifies a well-trodden epoch with fresh insights and narrative verve. Rather than rehearsing tired chronicles, Ellsworth reconstructs the final, fraught months of the Civil War, revealing both the high-stakes uncertainty of 1864–65 and the astonishing diversity of characters who shaped America’s fate. Ellsworth’s approach is invigorating, weaving together the stories of titans like Lincoln, Grant, and Sherman with those of runaway slaves, overlooked soldiers, and remarkable figures such as Lois Adams, a largely forgotten female war correspondent. The book shines in its vignettes—compact yet vivid, capturing the chaos at the front lines, the political machinations in Washington, and the shadow wars conducted by spies and saboteurs. Perhaps most provocatively, Ellsworth challenges long-held myths about Lincoln’s assassination. Deploying obscure contemporaneous accounts and overlooked scholarship, he contends that John Wilkes Booth, often portrayed simply as a rogue actor, actually conspired for nearly a year with the Confederate Secret Service—a revelation that reframes familiar tragedies and injects dark intrigue into the historical narrative. What distinguishes “Midnight on the Potomac” isn’t just Ellsworth’s exhaustive research but his storytelling. The pace is brisk, the prose compelling, and the use of short, impactful sections makes the dense history accessible to both casual readers and Civil War aficionados. The book doesn’t shrink from harder truths, acknowledging the unfinished work of emancipation and the persistent pall of racism, even as it celebrates stories of courage, resilience, and self-liberation. Ellsworth’s work stands as both an excellent introduction for those new to Civil War history and an essential read for seasoned historians. By resurrecting forgotten actors and upending old narratives, “Midnight on the Potomac” offers an account of America’s rebirth that is as timely as it is gripping. This is history at its most vital—urgent, reflective, and deeply humane.
July 28, 2025
Thoroughly researched and written in a manner that draws the reader into each chapter, this might be the Civil War documentary concerning the assassination of Lincoln for our times. While I can not say that I have studied this subject in depth, I’ve certainly been exposed to discussions concerning the root causes of the conflict and descriptions of the devastation the war brought to my own ancestors who were caught up in the conflict. I certainly learned some new facts that increased my understanding of the history I was taught in school as well as the history never taught. Certainly a book that seems a cautionary tale in the current political climate. Today’s cries of fake news when confronted with facts, the war on education and science and the rewriting or removing of historical facts from public display should alarm all of us. The wounds of the Civil War seem never to fully heal and history continues to be written. I would recommend reading this book.
August 2, 2025
Midnight on the Potomac is a fascinating and informative book of the Civil War and Lincoln.
Using actual narratives, documents and newspaper articles prevented the story from being just another historical tome. These short snippets were woven together by Ellsworth to cover a dismal time of America's history. John Wilkes Boothe was not a 2nd rate actor. that myth and others were spun by power makers wanting to continue judgement based on the color of one's skin. Midnight on the Potomac presented bits of history that enlightens today's problems and is well worth the read!
Using actual narratives, documents and newspaper articles prevented the story from being just another historical tome. These short snippets were woven together by Ellsworth to cover a dismal time of America's history. John Wilkes Boothe was not a 2nd rate actor. that myth and others were spun by power makers wanting to continue judgement based on the color of one's skin. Midnight on the Potomac presented bits of history that enlightens today's problems and is well worth the read!
July 31, 2025
He skims over major campaigns, but where this book shines is in the close up stories of individuals caught in the drama of the final year of the Civil War. The central strand is an account of the conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln. He makes a compelling argument against the Confederacy myths suggesting Booth acted alone. It seems likely that the Southern government’s intelligence apparatus knew of it and supported it. I would have liked more details related to the pursuit of Booth and Reconstruction. Yet, I absolutely learned new details. One interesting trivia point I learned from the book was how the Booth brothers helped raise funds for the Shakespeare monument on the National Mall.
July 30, 2025
I thought it would be more of a narrative driven approach to a final conclusion that was Lincoln’s assassination… instead it was 70% division movements or individual story’s of glory/resilience , 10% glorifying John Wilkes Booths talent on the stage, 15% the assassination, & 5% on the reconstruction that shaped our post-war nation.
It had a good start, but slowly felt like every other beginner to Civil War history book I’ve ever read. A good read for those looking to get into this period of history tho!
It had a good start, but slowly felt like every other beginner to Civil War history book I’ve ever read. A good read for those looking to get into this period of history tho!
July 15, 2025
Midnight on the Potomac presents an episodic, perhaps pointillist, view of the last year of the civil war, and it is a very fluid and informative read. Someone well-versed in American history may be familiar with much of this, but there was still a fair amount of material that was new to me. I especially appreciated learning about the Confederate spy and terrorism effort that John Wilkes Booth was likely involved in (contrary to the popular account that he was part of a small independent conspiracy). There are moments where it seems that the war could have ended much differently (the Confederates got very close to Washington and chickened out), but with an economy fed by slave labor and slaves escaping behind Union lines the Confederacy may have been doomed to failure. Two especially moving sections involved the formerly enslaved hooking up with Sherman's March and the illumination of Washington the day before Lincoln was assassinated.
Recommended, especially for those with only cursory knowledge of this period. I definitely want to read Scott Ellsworth's account of the Tulsa Massacre, because he is obviously good at this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing an egalley for early review.
Recommended, especially for those with only cursory knowledge of this period. I definitely want to read Scott Ellsworth's account of the Tulsa Massacre, because he is obviously good at this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for providing an egalley for early review.
April 4, 2025
Are you interested in American history, especially American Civil War history? Can you name in detail what all happened during the the last 12 months of that war? How much do you know about all the conspiracies, plots, and personalities involved on both sides? If you do not, Scott Ellsworth has a deal for you with his book Midnight on the Potomac!
Scott Ellsworth organized Midnight on the Potomac in the style of a play with three acts, two intermissions, and and an afterword. Act One covered Grant's move south to The Wilderness and on to Spotsylvania and then Petersburg, the Jubal Early invasion that almost took Washington, a look at President Lincoln, the growing number of contrabands around Washington, and the nadir of Lincoln's chances for reelection. The First Intermission was a visit to Richmond (VA) with a look at the morale and fighting spirit of the South. Act Two opens with conspiracies and plots being hatched around Lake Erie and in Canada and the introduction of the Booth family with their conflicted loyalties. Atlanta falls to Sherman and he heads east to the sea. Plots are hatched and activated to kidnapped President Lincoln before Election Day (November 8, 1865) and to to burn down New York City. The Second Intermission was a look at Christmastime in Washington and Richmond. Act Three opens with Lewis Powell who hailed from Florida in Washington trying for a shot at Lincoln while blacks joined the Union army and others pushed for basic civil rights such as education. Booth was still trying to kidnap Lincoln when Lincoln gave his 2nd Inaugural Address on a rainy March day. Then there was the visit by Lincoln to City Point (VA) to confer with General Grant which led to April 2, 1865 with the final assault on Petersburg followed quickly by the fall of Richmond and the chase of the Army of Virginia that ended at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Then Booth got his shot at eternal infamy when he assassinated Lincoln on April 14, 1865.The Third Act ends with a summary of the end of the Civil War and the chase for Booth and his co-conspirators. The Aftermath opens with an interview of D. W. Griffith and Walter Huston on the making of The Birth of a Nation and then goes on to highlight the twisting of historical events in the service of The Lost Cause, the legacies of John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln along with all who served and died to preserve the Union and set the country free.
So if you want to learn about the end of the American Civil War with all its warts and triumphs, pick up Scott Ellswoth's Midnight on the Potomac and dive in!
Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the chance to read this title!
Scott Ellsworth organized Midnight on the Potomac in the style of a play with three acts, two intermissions, and and an afterword. Act One covered Grant's move south to The Wilderness and on to Spotsylvania and then Petersburg, the Jubal Early invasion that almost took Washington, a look at President Lincoln, the growing number of contrabands around Washington, and the nadir of Lincoln's chances for reelection. The First Intermission was a visit to Richmond (VA) with a look at the morale and fighting spirit of the South. Act Two opens with conspiracies and plots being hatched around Lake Erie and in Canada and the introduction of the Booth family with their conflicted loyalties. Atlanta falls to Sherman and he heads east to the sea. Plots are hatched and activated to kidnapped President Lincoln before Election Day (November 8, 1865) and to to burn down New York City. The Second Intermission was a look at Christmastime in Washington and Richmond. Act Three opens with Lewis Powell who hailed from Florida in Washington trying for a shot at Lincoln while blacks joined the Union army and others pushed for basic civil rights such as education. Booth was still trying to kidnap Lincoln when Lincoln gave his 2nd Inaugural Address on a rainy March day. Then there was the visit by Lincoln to City Point (VA) to confer with General Grant which led to April 2, 1865 with the final assault on Petersburg followed quickly by the fall of Richmond and the chase of the Army of Virginia that ended at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Then Booth got his shot at eternal infamy when he assassinated Lincoln on April 14, 1865.The Third Act ends with a summary of the end of the Civil War and the chase for Booth and his co-conspirators. The Aftermath opens with an interview of D. W. Griffith and Walter Huston on the making of The Birth of a Nation and then goes on to highlight the twisting of historical events in the service of The Lost Cause, the legacies of John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln along with all who served and died to preserve the Union and set the country free.
So if you want to learn about the end of the American Civil War with all its warts and triumphs, pick up Scott Ellswoth's Midnight on the Potomac and dive in!
Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the chance to read this title!
January 19, 2025
Midnight on the Potomac is a very good read. The book started a little slowly but the pace quickened and ended very strong. Scott Ellsworth has focused on the last year of the Civil War--and a tumultuous year it was.
The book details the efforts by the Confederacy to continue a fight they were doomed to lose, with several major battles highlighted: the fall and burning of Atlanta, the siege of Petersburg, and Sherman's march to Savannah. Against this background is the conspiracy to first kidnap, and then eventually assassinate Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his band of terrorists. Insights into Lincoln, his thoughts, and interactions with his family during the year are also appreciated.
The book contains a lot of details I had not read in other books on the Civil War. This adds to the narrative. The final chapters, leading up to the surrender at Appomattox and the visit to Ford's theater and aftermath provide a strong finish to the book.
If you enjoy books about the Civil War this should be part of your reading list. I give the book a 4.25 rating, rounded to 4 stars.
I want to thank author Scott Elsworth, Publisher Dutton, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. I attest the review is my own unbiased work.
The book details the efforts by the Confederacy to continue a fight they were doomed to lose, with several major battles highlighted: the fall and burning of Atlanta, the siege of Petersburg, and Sherman's march to Savannah. Against this background is the conspiracy to first kidnap, and then eventually assassinate Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his band of terrorists. Insights into Lincoln, his thoughts, and interactions with his family during the year are also appreciated.
The book contains a lot of details I had not read in other books on the Civil War. This adds to the narrative. The final chapters, leading up to the surrender at Appomattox and the visit to Ford's theater and aftermath provide a strong finish to the book.
If you enjoy books about the Civil War this should be part of your reading list. I give the book a 4.25 rating, rounded to 4 stars.
I want to thank author Scott Elsworth, Publisher Dutton, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. I attest the review is my own unbiased work.
April 26, 2025
I like my history books easy to read and follow, not be bogged down with big words and over the edge embellishments from authors out to impress with their intellect. I found that in this writing.
An understandable rendition of the last year of the Civil War, the Lincoln assassination, and the rebuilding of the traumatized nation. How far have we come? How far do we still need to go? This book makes you think of these questions and many more.
Recommended!
An understandable rendition of the last year of the Civil War, the Lincoln assassination, and the rebuilding of the traumatized nation. How far have we come? How far do we still need to go? This book makes you think of these questions and many more.
Recommended!
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