There are certain years which seem to be nexus points in human history, encapsulations of a series of moments in time in which a single decision could begin a cascade of events capable of reshaping the futures of continents. Mr. Flood has fingered 1864 as one of these years for the United States. At its beginning, Abraham Lincoln is barely holding to power, a deeply unpopular president navigating an increasingly untenable war. His political rivals are assembling to challenge him in the general election, at a time when there seems to be no hope on the horizon. But by the end of 1864, Lincoln has not only won reelection, the American Civil War is all but over, with Sherman having burned the last hopes out of the Southern forces. Just how a president on his last legs recovered to be one of the most venerable figures in American history is at the heart of this well-told tale. (4.5/5 Stars)
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
1864 by Charles Bracelen Flood
There are certain years which seem to be nexus points in human history, encapsulations of a series of moments in time in which a single decision could begin a cascade of events capable of reshaping the futures of continents. Mr. Flood has fingered 1864 as one of these years for the United States. At its beginning, Abraham Lincoln is barely holding to power, a deeply unpopular president navigating an increasingly untenable war. His political rivals are assembling to challenge him in the general election, at a time when there seems to be no hope on the horizon. But by the end of 1864, Lincoln has not only won reelection, the American Civil War is all but over, with Sherman having burned the last hopes out of the Southern forces. Just how a president on his last legs recovered to be one of the most venerable figures in American history is at the heart of this well-told tale. (4.5/5 Stars)
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