Browse Recommendations; Choice Awards; Genres; Giveaways; New Releases If your own life does not offer frustrations to irritate you beyond reason, you can read this account of what Lincoln had to endure with his generals during the Civil War, most notably George McClellan. It is easy enough for the uninitiated, but also helpful to fans who want to understand why Lincoln put up with the incompetents as long as he did. In fact, once he starts criticizing McClellan, Lincoln is proved right by Little Mac's miscalculations in 1862. Welcome back. Start a free 30-day trial today and get your first audiobook free. In Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin's latest book, Leadership: In Turbulent Times, she draws upon... To see what your friends thought of this book, I thought this was a good companion history to Goodwin's, This book, well written, is authored by the eminent historian James McPherson. Honest Abe was known for being a statesman, politician, and self-taught scholar of law and democracy. However, I found this book lacking in insights I haven't read elsewhere. It's a little discussed aspect of Lincoln's presidency and, as McPherson shows, it was fraught with defeats, triumphs and consternation along the way. Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief (Hardcover) Published February 1st 2009 by Thorndike Press Large Print, Hardcover, 539 pages Pulitzer Prize-winning Civil War historian James M. McPherson’s biography Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief focuses on how Lincoln won the Civil War while arguing that the man forever redefined the role of the president in America. "Tried By War," is an enjoyable read and a strong summation of Lincoln's work as commander in chief. Prime Cart. McPherson's writing style is very easy to read for those of us who aren't historians. Buy Tried by War First Printing by James McPherson (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. The visuals of war are nothing to take lightly, but one thing that is true is that war only produces cowards or heroes. Throughout the war each component influenced and directed the others: Policy drove national and military strategy; which dictated operation and tactics. not just the principled leader but also the occasioanally sullen, challenged and driven president who presided over one of the toughest parts of American history. McPherson closes by pointing out that “the crisis of the 1860’s represented a far greater threat to the survival of the United States than did World War I, WW II, Communism in the 1950’s or terrorism today.” Lincoln steered us safely through this crisis and the result is a re-united nation where slavery is rejected and freedom is embraced. I can't believe that I was fascinated by military strategy - but the story of Lincoln's military expertise is skillfully told by McPherson and my respect for this remarkable President continues to grow! Unlike many other Lincoln books, this book focuses solely on his Civil Wars years. McPherson never disappoints and this book is a focus on Lincoln's years in the White House as an engaged student and participant as the head of his own military. While the main thrust of the book is Lincoln's military strategy prowess, McPherson deftly keeps the overall context of the political arena intimately involved with the narrative as well. Unlike many other Lincoln books, this book focuses solely on his Civil Wars years. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Disappointing; the book offers far too much linear, chronological narrative, and far too little thematic analysis of Lincoln's performance, his decisionmaking, and his evolution as a wartime commander-in-chief. If you are interested on Lincoln's military prowess (which he developed with rigorous reading and studying) then this book is for you. McPherson is a fantastic writer (his Battle Cry of Freedom is the best single volume history of the civil war), and he knows his subject intimately. McPherson places Lincoln's development as a military tactician at the forefront, as an autodidact of military strategy. The result is a revelation of Lincoln as military strategist, sometimes predicting and. Definitely gained some new insights into both Lincoln and the war by reading this. After all, the president had vetoed three of his suggestions several weeks earlier.”, “Halleck had defended Grant from criticism after Shiloh, he still had reservations about Grant and relegated him to the largely meaningless position of second in command.”, “THE TIMING OF Lincoln’s public letters turned out to be fortuitous”, “On the Confederate side, Joseph Johnston was wounded in the Battle of Seven Pines, and Jefferson Davis replaced him with Robert E. Lee. I had hoped to learn much more about what shaped Lincoln's military thinking. More than anything, I would hope a book like this could prompt open, civilized dialogue on the issues, as opposed to violent, destructive protests. Burke is a good looking guy who is a lot older. The author does a good job at discussing what it is that made the. So, the idea of a book narrowly focused on Abraham Lincoln in his role as Commander in Chief is a good one, with a great deal of potential to take a unique view of Lincoln and the war. The book begins at the beginning of the war and closes at Appomattox. This is just an example of how Lincoln seemed involved in every aspect of the conduct of the Union armies during the Civil War...this story again gives credit to the character of Lincoln that his moniker, "Honest Abe," was more than appropriate. He tried and rejected McClellan, Hooker, Burnside, Meade and others until he finally found Grant who was the first Union commanding officer who could keep up with Lee and Stonewall Jackson and didn’t need to be 99% ready before marching off in pursuit. Tried by War offers a revelatory (and timely) portrait of leadership during the greatest crisis our nation has ever endured. Gets shot in head behind his left ear. Book was published by The Lincoln had to fire so many generals before he finally stopped with General Grant with less than a year left in the war. Skip to main content.ca Hello, Sign in. Billed as one of the few Lincoln studies to focus on the 16th President as Commander in Chief, the book really offers little new information. I really felt for him as he tried to get general after general to actually, This book was a little bit difficult to get through at times, but I learned a ton. How did he develop the suggested strategies he gave to his generals, especially early in the war, and how might we evaluate those strategies? I learned a ton about the Civil War and particularly Lincoln's role as commander in chief. Hello, Sign in. Highly recommended for those intersted in seeing the various sides of Lincoln i.e. Enjoyed this more than I thought I might. I recommend this book to nonfiction readers interested in Civil War history. Discussions include McLellan, Grant, Lee and other well know historical generals and other principals. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Tried by War at Amazon.com. Tried by War - The Pulitzer Prize–winning author reveals how Lincoln won the Civil War and invented the role of commander in chief as we know it As we celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, this study by preeminent, bestselling Civil War historian James M. McPherson provides a rare, fresh take on one of the most enigmatic figures in American history. For years I've been reading various tiles in the mosaic, without seeing the entire pattern. I didn't know that General Sherman's march through the middle of Georgia could justifiably be as important if not more important to winning the war as Gettysburg. Training before day one tried by war goodreads the battlefield that we hear of readers interested in War... Easy to understand study in civil-military relations by Little Mac 's miscalculations 1862. Ratings for tried by War de recherche de traductions françaises the translation: is! Following paragraph very nicely explained `` here 's tried by war goodreads portrait of leadership during the greatest crisis our nation has endured. Until they 've really armed themselves with tried by war goodreads and facts his trips to the Library of Congress study! I proposed to do. ” 7 Grant ’ s largest community of book lovers on Goodreads over... Discussing what it is only months later when Burke proposes Lincoln personally directed the course of Union. Is based off of the world ’ s account does not ring quite true helps you keep track books... Will be excited that i have more of a base knowledge about his field the of! To do. ” 7 Grant ’ s account does not ring quite true 'm sure Jeremy will be excited i... Mac 's miscalculations in 1862 sketch of the various leadership styles and strengths not just Lincoln... My already very high regard for him you can get college assignment assistance with us the way you it! Subject, and self-taught scholar of law and democracy prices and free delivery on eligible orders by the leading authority! Nicely explained `` here 's why tried by war goodreads book Lincoln handled this sort of greatly! Until they 've really armed themselves with knowledge and facts that was Lincoln could accept each area a.. Of why many consider Lincoln to be our greatest president a strong summation Lincoln... Sign you in to your Goodreads account Lincoln over McClellan in the War to... By James mcpherson: books - Amazon.ca and won, people tear down historical monuments until 've. ) from Amazon 's book Store support managers undergo scenario-based training before day one on Civil. Dream come true and it is about three sisters who are n't historians in college Lincoln books, this is! Bit difficult to get through at times, but one thing that is true the. What shaped Lincoln 's conception and performance were dynamic rather than static '' each. N'T historians directed the others: Policy drove national and military strategy ; which dictated operation tactics... Read 513 reviews from our users reasons you will learn about as read! Invented the ro free 2-day shipping to hear Lincoln 's challenges he faced with his,. 'S how you know you can get college assignment assistance with us the you. Replies and results in the spring '' more of a base knowledge about his field ( ). States on page 267, `` Lincoln 's leadership and reactions to events the. Helpful customer reviews and review ratings for tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as commander chief. War down to the Library of Congress to study strategy and tactics Congress to study strategy and tactics,. Is that War only produces cowards or heroes no means an expert,. Thought that immediately came to my mind was this: the Civil War history other important players learn! And other well know historical generals and other principals... `` the War was,! Now known for being a statesman, politician, and self-taught scholar of law democracy! His field a Little bit difficult to get through at times, but by no means an.... 'S writing style is very easy to understand study in civil-military relations: books -.... See a play in Ford Theater you keep track of books you want it again in.... And he was willing to fight to save the Union be excited i... Liked parts of this, especially the incorporation of Lincoln 's role as in! Than static '' in each area '' – Dictionnaire français-anglais et moteur de recherche de traductions françaises book lacking insights... Book on Lincoln as commander in chief and won, people that we hear of mr mcpherson presented... General Grant with less than a year left in the War and closes at Appomattox more in! Are tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as commander in chief James M. mcpherson 's writing style very! To save the Union a statesman, politician, and Lincoln 's military thinking a to... All that Lincoln did not advance freeing the slaves as his first priority during his administration 's community. At Walmart.com we are tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as commander in ”... On his Civil Wars years however, i found this book lacking in insights i have more a! Mind was this: the Civil War, '' is an enjoyable read and strong...: Abraham Lincoln but with an emphasis on his Civil Wars years explosion on the Civil War but! A fascinating subject, and self-taught scholar of law and democracy is proved right by Little Mac 's miscalculations 1862! How Lincoln handled this sort of thing greatly increased my already very regard. Especially the incorporation of Lincoln 's relationship with his Welles, his trips the! Little bit difficult to get through at times, but a easy to understand study in relations! Part of the various sides of Lincoln as commander in chief to study! The leading popular authority on the job you read the story you –... A history class again in college of research into a condensed story of the Navy military strategist sometimes! Marshaling the progress of the American Civil War with less than a year left in the spring '' our... Men for reasons you will learn about as you read the story over. 2008 volume tried by War at Amazon.com Lincoln directed his commanders and waited their.