This was one of the best history books to which I have ever been exposed. Actually, I purchased the audio version which was Professor Jay Winik lecturing about the book. It was about 13 hours of listening but it was extremely riveting; so much so that I have already listened to it twice. I plan to hear it again soon.
Professor Winik is not only very knowledgeable on the topic but conveys a real sense of depicting the events and political and social climates as they were in 1865.
He shares some poignant moments such as President Lincoln's visit to Richmond after its fall and how he befriended slaves imploring them not to bow down in worship to him. Lincoln went on to see General Pickett's wife who came to the door with her infant son. Lincoln promised Pickett's wife that he would pardon the General for he did not want to the child grow up without a father.
Further, Professor Winik shared how General Robert E. Lee expressed that he had surrendered just as much "to Abraham Lincoln's goodness" as he did to General Grant's army.
Finally, Professor Winik describes how President Lincoln upon completing his 2nd Inaugural speech of "with malice tward none, charity to all...." bowed down, kissed the Bible on the podium, and softly uttered "so help me, God".
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