- Aug 17, 2005
- 1,117
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- Baptist
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- US-Libertarian
April 1865, by Jay Winik
This book is a history of what the author argues is the most critical month in American history. Winik details the stories of several events that, had they gone differently, would have led the fate of the United States down a much different path. The events range from the ones we studied in school - Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox, and the assassination of Lincoln - to lesser known events, including the acceptance of Lincoln's Queen Mary doctrine, Bill Sherman's negotiations with Joe Johnston in North Carolina, and the distinct possibility of guerilla warfare throughout the South, prolonging the war and destroying the North's will to fight.
I learned quite a bit from this book, even being a military history major. It definitely covers some material that we are never taught in school. The narratives and mini-biographies in the book are well written, such that even someone with only modest knowledge of the War Between the States would gain a lot from reading it.
4 out of 5 stars.
This book is a history of what the author argues is the most critical month in American history. Winik details the stories of several events that, had they gone differently, would have led the fate of the United States down a much different path. The events range from the ones we studied in school - Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox, and the assassination of Lincoln - to lesser known events, including the acceptance of Lincoln's Queen Mary doctrine, Bill Sherman's negotiations with Joe Johnston in North Carolina, and the distinct possibility of guerilla warfare throughout the South, prolonging the war and destroying the North's will to fight.
I learned quite a bit from this book, even being a military history major. It definitely covers some material that we are never taught in school. The narratives and mini-biographies in the book are well written, such that even someone with only modest knowledge of the War Between the States would gain a lot from reading it.
4 out of 5 stars.
