Why read Tried by War?

Book cover of Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

Book description

"James M. McPherson’s Tried by War is a perfect primer . . . for anyone who wishes to understand the evolution of the president’s role as commander in chief. Few historians write as well as McPherson, and none evoke the sound of battle with greater clarity." —The New York Times…

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American history

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Why read it?

1 author picked Tried by War as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael

Author

Abraham Lincoln is the subject of hundreds of books, but no historian has ever before explored his role specifically as Commander-in-Chief and how he not only grew into that role but triumphed at it. Well-read in military strategy and possessing a sophisticated grasp of strategy itself, Lincoln was all too often way ahead of his dithering generals who failed to take advantage of their successes with an eye toward bringing the war to an earlier conclusion. With a very hands-on approach, Abraham Lincoln persisted in pushing the army always to do more, to be more, while learning from battlefield mistakes…

From Gershen's list on conquering adversity.