Rating: 
Summary: Worthwhile read about a central political decision
Review: Reelecting Lincoln : The Battle for the 1864 Presidency by John C. Waugh is an interesting study of the most important election in the history of our country. Almost a century and a half after the 1864 election it is easy to forget not only what was at stake but also the context in which the election was held. Waugh does a fine job presenting both as well as putting in context the individuals that made the history. What is the books main strength is the authors ability to weave all of the above together in to an understandable historical quilt.Another strength of the book is the treatment of the actors as humans instead of historical icons. His treatment of Lincoln is a prime example. While Waugh certainly portrays Lincoln as the great president that he was, he shows Lincoln as a human being subject to all the requisite frailties. Lincoln's manipulation of the political system, his use of patronage for his political benefit, and other less than "honest" means to win the election are straightforwardly presented. The main criticizism of the book is in the treatment of Lincoln's Democratic rival - George McClellan. Waugh's treatment of McClellan lacks the three dimensional aspects of Lincoln. Many questions about McClellan are left unanswered. Among them is perhaps the most important one that underlines the central premise of the book: What would have McClellan have done had he been elected? The current conventional belief is that he would ended the war or allowed the reincorporation of the Union with the survival of slavery. However, the conventional wisdom ignores the facts that McClellan was a War Democratic and certainly had always been in favor of continuing the war for the purpose of forcing reunion. Moreover, by 1864 the Confederacy was fighting for independence and was not interested in rejoining the Union. Whether the Peace Democratic could have forced McClellan to abandon the war is questionable, and deserved more consideration. The bottom line is that this is a worthwhile read about a central political decision in our nations history.
Rating: 
Summary: A marvelous work of History,It reads like a novel.
Review: The election of 1864 was probably the most important Presidential election in our History.It is no understatement to say that if Abraham Lincoln had not been re-elected Our History would have been very different.In fact had Lincoln not won the United States might not even exsist today. In Re-electing Lincoln John Waugh gives us a superb account of this crucial campaign.Mr. Waugh is a former Political Reporter. And it shows.As I read this Book I often had the sensation that I was reading this in the newspaper or watching it on CNN. Mr. Waugh also has the gifts of a Novelist. He gives us a powerful and a suspenseful story with a cast of simply unforgetable Characters. As a History Teacher the thing that I gained most from Re-electing Lincoln was the realization that Political campaigns really have''nt changed much in 134 years.Those who think Campaign finance practices are sleazy today will find this Book a real eye opener.This Book is a wonderful read,even if your not a Civil War Buff. Don't pass it up.
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