Lincoln's Autocrat: The Life of Edwin Stanton (Civil War America) - Hardcover

Marvel, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1469622491 ISBN 13: 9781469622491

Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Pr, 2015

Synopsis

Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), one of the nineteenth century's most impressive legal and political minds, wielded enormous influence and power as Lincoln's secretary of war during most of the Civil War and under Johnson during the early years of Reconstruction. In the first full biography of Stanton in more than fifty years, William Marvel offers a detailed reexamination of Stanton's life, career, and legacy. Marvel argues that while Stanton was a formidable advocate and politician, his character was hardly benign. Climbing from a difficult youth to the pinnacle of power, Stanton used his authority--and the public coffers--to pursue political vendettas, and he exercised sweeping wartime powers with a cavalier disregard for civil liberties.

Though Lincoln's ability to harness a cabinet with sharp divisions and strong personalities is widely celebrated, Marvel suggests that Stanton's tenure raises important questions about Lincoln's actual control over the executive branch. This insightful biography also reveals why men like Ulysses S. Grant considered Stanton a coward and a bully, who was unashamed to use political power for partisan enforcement and personal preservation.

About this title

About the Author

William Marvel's many books include A Place Called Appomattox, Andersonville: The Last Depot, Lincoln's Darkest Year, and Tarnished Victory.

Edition details

• Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Pr
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1469622491
• ISBN 13: 9781469622491
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 611