LINCOLN VS. DAVIS

Lincoln and Davis never met, but their strengths and weaknesses defined the shape of the Civil War, as this well-researched account explains.

Hamilton, an award-winning author, has written a long list of history books, including a trilogy about FDR’s leadership during wartime. So a study of the leaders of the Civil War—Abraham Lincoln in the Union, Jefferson Davis in the Confederacy—is a logical subject for him. It was an odd pairing: Lincoln knew about politics but not about military matters, while Davis was a hero from the Mexican War but weak on management. Neither of them wanted war but soon realized that conflict was inevitable. Both were plagued by incompetent generals, especially in the early stages of the war. Hamilton tracks the moves and countermoves of the two presidents, as well as the constraints acting upon them. Crucially, Lincoln could claim a popular mandate, whereas Davis had been selected by a cabal of state representatives. Hamilton unfolds the split-screen story at a magisterial pace, digging through records of the time and providing portraits of the main military and political figures. He investigates the fateful Confederate decision to invade the North, noting how close the Union came to losing the war. The critical turning point, however, was Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which provided a moral basis for the war and robbed the South of international support. Hamilton provides a great deal of detail but he manages to keep the narrative focused. It should be said, however, that at over 700 pages, Lincoln vs. Davis is a daunting read. Nevertheless, those willing to accept the challenge will find it informative and authoritative.

This immense examination of the Civil War presidents provides a crucial perspective on how wars are fought, won, and lost.