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Summary: Lincoln's army
Review: A very interesting and insightful look at Lincoln and his army - the Army of the Potomac which was the only army he had any real relationship with and the only army he ever visited. The book revealed how Lincoln culivated his relationship with this army and how his own personal interest allowed him to make his mark on it. While considered as a hard luck army thanks to its lousy commanding generals, the men of the army and its commander in chief never lost faith and that common bond kept things together in the east while the war was won in the west. One of the more interesting books on the Civil War, it explored the aspects of relationship between Lincoln and his Army of the Potomac.
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Summary: Very enjoyable: side of Civil War history not before plumbed
Review: Given the mountain of books about either Abraham Lincoln or the American Civil War, one would think that someone would have come up with the idea of exploring the relationship between Lincoln and the rank-and-file Union soldier. But Davis is apparently the first to do so, and he handles the topic in a way that is bound to delight anyone interested in either topic, from the novice to the expert. He has obviously thoroughly researched the wealth of letters, diaries, and other orginal sources that are available; his points are well documented. Moreover, he avoids repeating himself by either using the same source over and over again (as Ken Burns did in the Civil War series and Bruce Catton tended to do in his otherwise fascinating histories), nor does he pile up so much evidence on a single point that the reader becomes bored. He explores the Lincoln-enlisted man relationship from a variety of angles, ranging from Lincoln's dismissal of the highly popular McClellan to his liberal use of his pardoning prerogative for wayward soldiers to veterans' attitudes in the 1864 Presidential election to his assassination. He frames much of the book in terms of Parson Weems's classic biography of George Washington, which depicted GW as "the Father of His Country," and suggests that the book had an early, perhaps subconscious effect on Lincoln, giving him a model to adopt when he became President--and makes a plausible case. He also demonstrates that Lincoln very consciously invested in promoting a positive image of himself with the Union rank and file. Lincoln was very aware of how his position as President affected everyday Americans, and became (according to Davis) the first President to make an effort to be seen by ordinary citizens, especially Union soldiers. This is a well-written, enjoyable book, satisfying in every sense. It was truly hard to put down.
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Summary: A True Role Model
Review: I consider Abraham Lincoln our greatest President - greater even than Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt or FDR - for no other reason than he performed the duties of his office under pressures that would have beaten down a lesser man. Consider for a moment. He had to quell a nation-shattering rebellion. The top generals of his eastern armies were incompetent. He lost two of his young sons to disease. He had to persuade those states still loyal to accept two very controversial initiatives: a military draft and emancipation of blacks. His wife was a spendthrift and mentally unbalanced. LINCOLN'S MEN examines Uncle Abe's relationship with the men of his armies, particularly those citizens that enlisted (or were drafted) into the states' volunteer regiments. Realizing that the officer corps took care of its own, his concern was chiefly spent on such issues important to the non-commissioned ranks, such as pay, fair military justice, length of enlistment, battlefield health care, and supply. Lincoln's office door was always open to anyone, even the most humble of privates, who had a petition or grievance to present. I find this last fact truly amazing when, today, the White House is a virtual fortress denying casual access to the most innocent of visitors. The cynical might say that Lincoln was simply a politician, in the basest sense, currying favor with those whose efforts in the trenches might potentially fail to keep him in power. Indeed, while he was constantly visiting with and reviewing the troops of the eastern armies, particularly the hapless Army of the Potomac, he never once called on the western commands of Grant and Sherman because, after all, they were consistent winners. While this favoritism is glaring, the author, William Davis, presents it simply as a father caring for the most needy of his children. I agree. The affection Lincoln engendered in "his boys" in all military theaters of operation is evidenced by the vote they gave him in the election of 1864, and the tributes accorded him by veterans' groups in the decades following the war. He was truly Father Abraham. LINCOLN'S MEN is a well-researched, informative example of historical reporting. Two-hundred fifty pages of text are supported by a 14-page bibliography and 46 pages of notes. I have only two complaints, which prevent me from awarding five stars. First, the author includes virtually no examples of Lincoln's famous, rustic wit. (The author's style, at times, makes for very dry reading. Dry as a soldier's hardtack.) Second, there's no supporting section of photographs. However, I certainly recommend this volume to any student of the Civil War.
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Summary: A true Commander in Chief
Review: If you have never read much about Lincoln, you will enjoy this book. If you are a fan of President Lincoln, you will find this work among the best ever written.William C. Davis presents to us the 'best friend' a soldier ever knew. He enters into the life of Lincoln and especially his relationship with the common Civil War soldier. As each chapter begins with a verse from the Bible about Abraham, you will almost feel a sense of divinity that was felt by many about Lincoln. He was a Commander in Chief that we could only dream about in today's world; a man that loved his soldiers and had a following that would go anywhere and do anything because 'Father Abraham' asked him to.
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Summary: A True Role Model
Review: This book is an excellent example of how one man was willing to take on the weight of the world to preserve a nation and take care of it's people. The world could use more "Abe Lincolns". An intimate look at Lincoln's intelligence, compassion, bravery, humor, and tremendous effection for his army, truely a role model for any generation. A smooth read that will give you a new found respect for the 16th President and the Civil War.
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Summary: At last the truth comes out
Review: William C. Davis has done a great thing here, in a way that only he can. Finally, Abraham Lincoln has been portrayed as not only a father to the slaves, but to our entire nation. For many years, the myth was that Lincoln did not have the support of the army, that they did not believe in the cause that Lincoln did. Davis dispels this notion with ease, stating that the army was always behind Lincoln, and grew more so as the war went on. Davis also discusses how Lincoln made an effort to be seen by his armies, and they noticed his efforts and it endeared them to him. With a prose that forces you to keep turning the pages, Davis explores the subject of Lincoln and his army with and objective eye, and his conclusions are unarguable. Truly a must have for any Civil War buff.
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