Finished April 1865 about a week ago, and really wanted to share some thoughts about it as I found the book very interesting. I haven't read a great deal of books about the American Civil War. Most of my U.S. history reading has been limited to post-revolutionary / constitutional era, so it was a bit a venture into a new topic.
Maybe due to this previous light reading, I found the book incredibly informative. The author packs a great deal of information about the events of this month that its almost impossible to walk away from the book without an appreciation for how pivotal 30 days can be in a nation's development and history. You have the surrender of Robert Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, the assassination of Lincoln, the attempted assassinations of Andrew Johnson (Vice President) and William Seward (Secretary of State), the abandonment of the Confederate capital Richmond by Jefferson Davis, and General Joe Johnston's disobedience of Jefferson Davis, who called for continued fighting and rebellion, when he decided to surrender his army in North Carolina to Sherman. All in thirty days. Absolutely incredible.
Another facet of the author's approach that was particularly fascinating is the amount of biographical details you receive about the major actors involved. In addition to the information just about the actual historical events of April of 1865, there is essentially several mini-biographies included. There is quick but thorough research and discussion of Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, U.S. Grant, Gen. Joe Johnston, Gen. William Sherman, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and John Wilkes Booth. Winik's research and articulation of each of these pivotal actors in the close of the Civil War is thorough, enlightening, and fascinating.
Winik's writing style allows all this information to come through without appearing burdensome or boring. I believe it a great attribute of his writing skill that he was able to present so much historical information in a manner that was interesting and easy to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the Civil War, either as a reader with little to no information about this event in U.S. history, or as a reader that has read many books about it. Its definitely worth a read.
Maybe due to this previous light reading, I found the book incredibly informative. The author packs a great deal of information about the events of this month that its almost impossible to walk away from the book without an appreciation for how pivotal 30 days can be in a nation's development and history. You have the surrender of Robert Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, the assassination of Lincoln, the attempted assassinations of Andrew Johnson (Vice President) and William Seward (Secretary of State), the abandonment of the Confederate capital Richmond by Jefferson Davis, and General Joe Johnston's disobedience of Jefferson Davis, who called for continued fighting and rebellion, when he decided to surrender his army in North Carolina to Sherman. All in thirty days. Absolutely incredible.
Another facet of the author's approach that was particularly fascinating is the amount of biographical details you receive about the major actors involved. In addition to the information just about the actual historical events of April of 1865, there is essentially several mini-biographies included. There is quick but thorough research and discussion of Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, U.S. Grant, Gen. Joe Johnston, Gen. William Sherman, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and John Wilkes Booth. Winik's research and articulation of each of these pivotal actors in the close of the Civil War is thorough, enlightening, and fascinating.
Winik's writing style allows all this information to come through without appearing burdensome or boring. I believe it a great attribute of his writing skill that he was able to present so much historical information in a manner that was interesting and easy to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the Civil War, either as a reader with little to no information about this event in U.S. history, or as a reader that has read many books about it. Its definitely worth a read.
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