@article{1478464,
      recid = {1478464},
      author = {Harris, William C., },
      title = {Lincoln's Last Months /},
      pages = {1 online resource (315 p.)},
      abstract = {Lincoln Prize winner William C. Harris turns to the last  months of Abraham Lincoln's life in an attempt to penetrate  this central figure of the Civil War, and arguably  America's greatest president. Beginning with the  presidential campaign of 1864 and ending with his shocking  assassination, Lincoln's ability to master the daunting  affairs of state during the final nine months of his life  proved critical to his apotheosis as savior and saint of  the nation. In the fall of 1864, an exhausted president  pursued the seemingly intractable end of the Civil War.  After four years at the helm, Lincoln was struggling to  save his presidency in an election that he almost lost  because of military stalemate and his commitment to restore  the Union without slavery. Lincoln's victory in the  election not only ensured the success of his agenda but led  to his transformation from a cautious, often hesitant  president into a distinguished statesman. He moved quickly  to defuse destructive partisan divisions and to secure the  adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment. And he skillfully  advanced peace terms that did not involve the unconditional  surrender of Confederate armies. Throughout this period of  great trials, he managed to resist political pressure from  Democrats and radical Republicans and from those seeking  patronage and profit. By expanding the context of Lincoln's  last months beyond the battlefield, Harris shows how the  events of 1864-65 tested the president's life and  leadership and how he ultimately emerged victorious, and  became Father Abraham to a nation. Table of Contents:  Illustrations Introduction 1. Re-election 2. Careworn and  Haggard 3. The Burden of Patronage 4. The Search for Peace  5. The Humble Instrument of God 6. Beyond the Battlefield  7. At the Front 8. Martyrdom Abbreviations Notes  Acknowledgments Index Reviews of this book: Harris provides  detail that has been paraphrased or neglected by other  biographers.In even-tempered, observant prove, [he] ably  organizes his facts into a presentation that even veteran  Lincoln readers will appreciate as fresh.--Gilbert Taylor,  BooklistThis is a first-rate monograph for which Harris has  done diligent spadework. This Lincoln isn't the  sentimentalized or melancholy saint or savior, but a  proficient, inventive, even cheerful administrator, dealing  with diplomatic detail (chiefly with the British over  Canada), naval technology and patronage squabbles in such  key states as New York. Harris also provides a fresh  retelling of the story of Lincoln's murder and  martyrdom.--Edwin M. Yoder Jr., Washington Post Book  WorldLincoln Prize winner William C. Harris turns to the  last months of Abraham Lincoln's life in an attempt to  penetrate this central figure of the Civil War, and  arguably America's greatest president. Beginning with the  presidential campaign of 1864 and ending with his shocking  assassination, Lincoln's ability to master the daunting  affairs of state during the final nine months of his life  proved critical to his apotheosis as savior and saint of  the nation. In the fall of 1864, an exhausted president  pursued the seemingly intractable end of the Civil War.  After four years at the helm, Lincoln was struggling to  save his presidency in an election that he almost lost  because of military stalemate and his commitment to restore  the Union without slavery. Lincoln's victory in the  election not only ensured the success of his agenda but led  to his transformation from a cautious, often hesitant  president into a distinguished statesman. He moved quickly  to defuse destructive partisan divisions and to secure the  adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment. And he skillfully  advanced peace terms that did not involve the unconditional  surrender of Confederate armies. Throughout this period of  great trials, he managed to resist political pressure from  Democrats and radica},
      url = {http://library.usi.edu/record/1478464},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674038363},
}