An Honorable DefeatAn Honorable Defeat
the Last Days of the Confederate Government
Title rated 4 out of 5 stars, based on 7 ratings(7 ratings)
Book, 2001
Current format, Book, 2001, 1st ed, Available .Book, 2001
Current format, Book, 2001, 1st ed, Available . Offered in 0 more formatsIn February 1865, the end was clearly in sight for the Confederate government. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg had dashed the hopes of the Confederate army, and Grant's victory at Vicksburg had cut the South in two. An Honorable Defeat is the story of the four months that saw the surrender of the South and the assassination of Lincoln by Southern partisans. It is also the story of two men, antagonists yet political partners, who struggled during this time to achieve their own differing visions for the South: Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, who vowed never to surrender whatever the cost; and the practical and warm General John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War, who hoped pragmatism would save the shattered remnants of the land he loved so dearly.
Pulitzer Prize nominee William C. Davis traces the astounding flight of these men, and the entire Confederate cabinet, as they flee south from Richmond by train, then by mule, then on foot. Using original research, he narrates, with dramatic style and clear historical accuracy, the futile quarrels of Davis and Breckinridge as they try to evade bands of Northern pursuers and describes their eventual--and separate--captures. The result is a rich canvas of a time of despair and defeat that is exciting and highly readable, a charged tale full of physical adventure and political battle that sweeps from the marble halls of Richmond to a dingy room in a Havana hotel.
In February 1865, the end was clearly in sight for the Confederate government. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg had dashed the hopes of the Confederate army, and Grant's victory at Vicksburg had cut the South in two.An Honorable Defeat is the story of the four months that saw the surrender of the South and the assassination of Lincoln by Southern partisans. It is also the story of two men, antagonists yet political partners, who struggled during this time to achieve their own differing visions for the South: Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, who vowed never to surrender whatever the cost; and the practical and warm General John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War, who hoped pragmatism would save the shattered remnants of the land he loved so dearly.
Pulitzer Prize nominee William C. Davis traces the astounding flight of these men, and the entire Confederate cabinet, as they flee south from Richmond by train, then by mule, then on foot. Using original research, he narrates, with dramatic style and clear historical accuracy, the futile quarrels of Davis and Breckinridge as they try to evade bands of Northern pursuers and describes their eventual--and separate--captures. The result is a rich canvas of a time of despair and defeat that is exciting and highly readable, a charged tale full of physical adventure and political battle that sweeps from the marble halls of Richmond to a dingy room in a Havana hotel.
Davis (history, Virginia Tech) explores the final days of the American Civil War, when it was obvious to most the days of the Confederacy were numbered. Noting that the nature of peace is conditioned by the nature of the end of wars, he explores the debates within the highest levels of the Confederate government on how to end the war even as they fled northern troops in attempts to avoid capture. For the author, the debate centered around two men Jefferson Davis, characterized as irrationally clinging to an ideal of no surrender, and General John C. Breckenridge, who attempted to convince Davis that some concessions might be wrung from a war-weary North, if the Confederacy were to surrender. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
A study of the finals days of the Confederacy at the end of the Civil War focuses on two men--Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, and his affable, practical Secretary of War, General John C. Breckinridge--who played key roles in the Confederate government. 50,000 first printing.
A study of the final days of the Confederacy at the end of the Civil War focuses on two men--Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, and his Secretary of War, General John C. Breckinridge.
Pulitzer Prize nominee William C. Davis traces the astounding flight of these men, and the entire Confederate cabinet, as they flee south from Richmond by train, then by mule, then on foot. Using original research, he narrates, with dramatic style and clear historical accuracy, the futile quarrels of Davis and Breckinridge as they try to evade bands of Northern pursuers and describes their eventual--and separate--captures. The result is a rich canvas of a time of despair and defeat that is exciting and highly readable, a charged tale full of physical adventure and political battle that sweeps from the marble halls of Richmond to a dingy room in a Havana hotel.
In February 1865, the end was clearly in sight for the Confederate government. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg had dashed the hopes of the Confederate army, and Grant's victory at Vicksburg had cut the South in two.An Honorable Defeat is the story of the four months that saw the surrender of the South and the assassination of Lincoln by Southern partisans. It is also the story of two men, antagonists yet political partners, who struggled during this time to achieve their own differing visions for the South: Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, who vowed never to surrender whatever the cost; and the practical and warm General John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War, who hoped pragmatism would save the shattered remnants of the land he loved so dearly.
Pulitzer Prize nominee William C. Davis traces the astounding flight of these men, and the entire Confederate cabinet, as they flee south from Richmond by train, then by mule, then on foot. Using original research, he narrates, with dramatic style and clear historical accuracy, the futile quarrels of Davis and Breckinridge as they try to evade bands of Northern pursuers and describes their eventual--and separate--captures. The result is a rich canvas of a time of despair and defeat that is exciting and highly readable, a charged tale full of physical adventure and political battle that sweeps from the marble halls of Richmond to a dingy room in a Havana hotel.
Davis (history, Virginia Tech) explores the final days of the American Civil War, when it was obvious to most the days of the Confederacy were numbered. Noting that the nature of peace is conditioned by the nature of the end of wars, he explores the debates within the highest levels of the Confederate government on how to end the war even as they fled northern troops in attempts to avoid capture. For the author, the debate centered around two men Jefferson Davis, characterized as irrationally clinging to an ideal of no surrender, and General John C. Breckenridge, who attempted to convince Davis that some concessions might be wrung from a war-weary North, if the Confederacy were to surrender. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
A study of the finals days of the Confederacy at the end of the Civil War focuses on two men--Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, and his affable, practical Secretary of War, General John C. Breckinridge--who played key roles in the Confederate government. 50,000 first printing.
A study of the final days of the Confederacy at the end of the Civil War focuses on two men--Jefferson Davis, the autocratic president of the Confederate States, and his Secretary of War, General John C. Breckinridge.
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- New York : Harcourt, c2001.
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