Nick L. (nluciano3) -
You think you know the story of the Emancipation Proclamation. The process was much more complicated.
The opening scene of Lincoln, Navy Secretary Wells and Secretary of State Seward traveling in a carriage to the funeral of the infant son of Secretary of War Stanton caused me to instantly be swept up in the moment. Lincoln had recently made the trip himself upon the death of his own son, Willie. It is one of those great moments in history, and Mr. Brewster paints the picture well.
Mr. Brewster does an excellent job of explaining the many complex facets of Mr. Lincoln. We see Lincoln as the president, candidate, lawyer, Commander in Chief, military strategist and politician. As well as Lincoln the master of foreign affairs as well as Lincoln's complex ideas of Christianity. Lincoln was a man the nineteen century. Not our century. You discover the real political brilliance that he had come to develop. The Emancipation Proclamation was a calculated, very risky endeavor.
I thought that the discussion of the ideas of the military theorists of the time was fascinating. It shows that Lincoln modern ideas, while his military staff was mentally stuck in another time.
Reading the book causes you to grapple with the many complex factors leading up to the concept and writing of the document. It is an excellent story, told by a great story teller. It is written in an easy to read style, like Mr. Brewster was sitting across from you on your porch telling you a story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would read other works by this author.
The opening scene of Lincoln, Navy Secretary Wells and Secretary of State Seward traveling in a carriage to the funeral of the infant son of Secretary of War Stanton caused me to instantly be swept up in the moment. Lincoln had recently made the trip himself upon the death of his own son, Willie. It is one of those great moments in history, and Mr. Brewster paints the picture well.
Mr. Brewster does an excellent job of explaining the many complex facets of Mr. Lincoln. We see Lincoln as the president, candidate, lawyer, Commander in Chief, military strategist and politician. As well as Lincoln the master of foreign affairs as well as Lincoln's complex ideas of Christianity. Lincoln was a man the nineteen century. Not our century. You discover the real political brilliance that he had come to develop. The Emancipation Proclamation was a calculated, very risky endeavor.
I thought that the discussion of the ideas of the military theorists of the time was fascinating. It shows that Lincoln modern ideas, while his military staff was mentally stuck in another time.
Reading the book causes you to grapple with the many complex factors leading up to the concept and writing of the document. It is an excellent story, told by a great story teller. It is written in an easy to read style, like Mr. Brewster was sitting across from you on your porch telling you a story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would read other works by this author.
