Lincoln's Autocrat by William Marvel

Lincoln's Autocrat by William Marvel

Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), one of the nineteenth century's most impressive legal and political minds, wielded enormous influence and power as Lincoln's Secretary of War during most of the Civil War and under Johnson during the early years of Reconstruction. In the first full biography of Stanton in more than fifty years, William Marvel offers a detailed reexamination of Stanton's life, career, and legacy. Marvel argues that while Stanton was a formidable advocate and politician, his character was hardly benign. Climbing from a difficult youth to the pinnacle of power, Stanton used his authority - and the public coffers - to pursue political vendettas, and he exercised sweeping wartime powers with a cavalier disregard for civil liberties. Though Lincoln's ability to harness a cabinet with sharp divisions and strong personalities is widely celebrated, Marvel suggests that Stanton's tenure raises important questions about Lincoln's actual control over the executive branch. This insightful biography also reveals why men like Ulysses S. Grant considered Stanton a coward and a bully, who was unashamed to use political power for partisan enforcement and personal preservation.

[A] meticulously researched biography""- Civil War Book Review

""The tremendous research, clarity and Marvel's narrative style make [this book] a joy to read. . . . Should enjoy a unique longevity unparalleled by its predecessors."" - The Journal of America's Military Past

""A complex work that will appeal to Civil War scholars and general readers who want a deeper treatment of Stanton."" - Library Journal, starred review

""Massively detailed and gracefully written. . . . A significant study of this prominent Civil War leader."" - Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography

""This should be considered the definitive biography on Stanton and should stand as a classic of academia not only in the Civil War genre but the biographical style as well. Incredibly researched, amazingly written and packed to the seams with information, Lincoln's Autocrat should be on the shelf of every Civil War historian."" - Gettysburg Chronicle

""Marvel effectively describes Edwin Stanton in one of the more important works to appear on the Union war effort in years."" - America's Civil War Magazine

""Marvel's extraordinarily detailed and meticulously researched work is eye-opening."" - Journal of Southern History

""[A] riveting book [that] offers a highly detailed and scathing indictment of an unprincipled and repellent individual."" - On Point: The Journal of Army History

""Well-written."" - Wall Street Journal

""[A] remarkable biography."" - Journal of Army History

William Marvel's many books include A Place Called Appomattox, Andersonville: The Last Depot, Lincoln's Darkest Year, and Tarnished Victory.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781469636153
ISBN 10	1469636158
Title	Lincoln's Autocrat
Author	William Marvel
Series	Civil War America
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	The University of North Carolina Press
Year published	2017-08-30
Number of pages	632
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.