from SgtBrown

They say that context is everything and this book provides needed context to turbulent year 1862, and to the man, Abraham Lincoln. I read a lot of Civil War history, the problem is that by focusing on a particular battle or topic of that war it is easy to lose sight of the broader picture. David ...

from WCHagen

This is a most interesting book chock full of information, both trivial and illuminating of behind the scenes action of both Abraham Lincoln and his opposition within the Washington political establishment during the year 1862. Von Drehle is able to translate chaos into mere complexity. A recurri...

from chensel477

I have long believed, as Von Drehle does, that 1862 was the most pivotal year in the Civil War, Lincoln's life, and perhaps all of American history. Not only do we get an in-depth, well researched look at Lincoln as president and commander in chief, but also as a family man. Finding balance betwe...

from Fjumonvi

So much has been written about the Civil War and about Abraham Lincoln that there may seem to be no nuance of either that has been left unexplored. In Rise to Greatness, however, David Von Drehle finds an intriguing new avenue of approach. The book follows Lincoln month by month through 1862, whi...

from Berkshires

A fascinating look at Lincoln and his presidency during a very important year of the civil war. From his thoughts amidst the challenges of finding the generals who would fight (McClellan was great at preparing his men and armies, but was never quite ready to actually fight) to his caution over th...