Changes

Everything James McPherson writes is excellent, and his brief biography of Lincoln is no exception. In less than seventy pages, McPherson covers the life of President Lincoln in a succinct manner yet manages to give great insight into this layered man. Using concise language, the author offers detailed information about Lincoln and the events of the period, prompting the reader to pursue further studies. As with all of his work, McPherson uses an abundance of primary sources so effectively that the reader will witness the evolution of Lincoln in just a few pages. Everything James McPherson has written must be included in one’s Civil War library.

McDonough gives new life to this fascinating figure. Sherman was, and still is, a man either very loved or greatly despised. This biography challenges readers from both camps to discover new facets of Sherman’s character. Great attention is paid to his pre-War years so as to provide greater insight into the choices Sherman made during the War and beyond. Discussed are his torments, bouts with depression, and enduring friendship with Ulysses S. Grant. Although derived mainly from primary sources, this biography reads like a novel and causes Sherman to be examined from the perspective of a flawed man burdened with tremendous responsibility during the most pivotal time in American history.