April 1865 the month that saved america jay winik books

Winik s sense of the dramatic and his vivid writing bring a fitting flourish to his thesis that april 1865 marked a turning point in american history. Go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store. This new york times bestseller from noted historian and acclaimed author jay winik forever changes common perceptions of the final month of the american civil war. Mcphersons battle cry of freedom, one of the better abraham lincoln biographies. It was a month that could have unravelled the american nation. I really didnt learn anything new in the book that i havent read in a dozen other books, but what makes a book like this worth reading is how the. By april 4, they were dirty, unwashed, mudsplattered, exhausted, and, most of all, desperately hungry.

Like his men, he had scarcely slept since leaving petersburg and richmond. Uniquely set within the larger sweep of history and filled with rich profiles of outsize figures, fresh. The main characters of this history, military history story are. Senate staff member jay winik, the true significance of april 1865 to america. While it is natural to infer from this that the surrender was a foregone conclusion after richmonds fall, in april 1865 author jay winik teaches that that was by no means the case, and that there were several points both in that week and in that most fateful month that events could have gone off the rails to the great detriment of the future. So, after april 1865, when the blood had clotted and dried, when the cadavers had been removed and the graves filled in, what america was asking for, at wars end, was in fact something quite. Nov 16, 2010 one month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern plan for guerrilla warfare, lees harrowing retreat, and then, appomattox. Lee, perhaps shelby footes massive trilogy the civil war. One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern plan for. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read april 1865.

It saw lincolns assassination just five days later and a nearsuccessful plot to decapitate the union government, followed by chaos and coup fears in the north, collapsed negotiations and continued bloodshed in the. This is a healing book, one that fully explains the reasons for the civil war. Through detail and imagery jay winik brings events and characters to life. April 1865 one month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern plan for guerrilla warfare, lees harrowing retreat, and then, appomattox. Black codes were passed in state after state across the southas restrictive as the antebellum laws governing free blacks richmonds old laws had even regulated the carrying of canes. Author jay winik has an amazing grasp of american history and he makes it come alive. The thesis is summed up by the subtitle, the month that saved america. One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern plan for guerrilla warfare, lees harrowing retreat, and. It covers the last few weeks of the civil war from.

Reveals why the last month of the american civil war was so pivotal in preserving the union, describing such key events as the fall of richmond, lees retreat, the surrender at appomattox, and lincolns assassination. This is one of those rare, shining books that takes a new look at an old subject and changes the way we think about it. Though the primary focus of this book is the last month of the civil war, it opens in the 18th. As april begins, the battered confederate capital of. Mcphersons battle cry of freedom, one of the better abraham lincoln biographies, something on robert e. However, this author focuses on the most important month which highly appeals to me. April 1865, winik says, is a month that could have unraveled he american nation. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 512 pages and is available in paperback format.

Winik offers a new perspective on the occurrences that led to the end of the civil war. He is a senior scholar of history and public policy at the university of maryland and a regular. The month that saved america by jay winik goodreads. Still, after months of languishing in the trenches, their morale and elan were surprisingly strong. Civil war, a chaotic period that could have permanently changed the.

J ay winik opens his account of the most dramatic month in american. As april begins, the battered confederate capital of richmond falls to the union army. April 1865 was a month that could have unraveled the nation. One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern. A few days after it was clear that the south had lost the civil war, one virginian, susan. Jay winik born february 8, 1957 is a new york times bestselling author and american historian who is best known for his book april 1865. It has its share of faults the author sentimentalizes lee, he underestimates grant, he sometimes overstates. In april 1865, jay winik masterfully breathes new life into the end of a war and the events we only thought we knew. Here are two books published in the same year 2001 that complement each other perfectly. Managing the retreat, the stoic lee himself made it across the appomattox only on the morning of april 4, at 7. The month that saved america by jay winik, paperback. This is one of those rare, shining books that takes a new look at an old subject and changes the way we think about.

The author seems to be one of those rare writers who can convey both small details and overviews equally well. Jay winik is the author of the new york times bestseller april 1865. They are so determined to win a case that they downplay conflicting testimony or oversimplify source material to prove an a. Jay winik offers a brilliant new look at the civil wars final days that will forever change the way we see the wars end and the nations new beginning. Uniquely set within the larger sweep of history, filled with rich profiles of outsize figures, fresh iconoclastic scholarship, and a gripping narrative. He is a senior scholar of history and public policy at the university of maryland and a regular contributor to the wall street journal and the new york times. One month in 1865 witnessed the frenzied fall of richmond, a daring lastditch southern plan for guerrilla warfare, lees harrowing retreat, and then, appomattox.

Here jay winik offers a brilliant new look at the civil wars final days that will forever change the way we see the wars end and the nations new beginning. This is a book that should not be missed by anyone who enjoys reading about history. April 1865 is a one of the best history book i ever read. The month that saved america has 6 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. This is one of those rare, shining books that takes a new look at an old subject and changes the.

But this morning, his hopesand theirsrose at the stirring thought of the relief waiting for them in confederate boxcars on the danville line at. Reveals why the last month of the american civil war was so pivotal in preserving the union, describing such key events as the fall of richmond, lees retreat, the surrender at. It saw lincolns assassination just five days later and a nearsuccessful plot to decapitate the union government, followed by chaos and coup fears in the north, collapsed negotiations and continued bloodshed in the south, and. In the end, april 1865 emerged as not just the tale of the wars denouement, but the story of the making of our nation. The month that saved america ebook written by jay winik.

The month that saved america, published by harpercollins. The month that saved america by jay winik 2002, paperback at the best online prices. While it is natural to infer from this that the surrender was a foregone conclusion after richmonds fall, in april 1865 author jay winik teaches that that was by no means the case, and that there were several points both in that week and in that most fateful month that events could have gone off the rails to the great detriment of the future of america and the world. The new york times bestselling chronicle of the civil wars final days that will forever change the way we see the wars end and the nations new beginning. Davis harcourt this column was first published in the april, 2002 artvoice of buffalo. Most books on the subject focus too much on battles, strategies, and outcomes, which can be cumbersome, afterall, it was a four year war. The month that saved america jay winik, author april 1865. Winik shows that there was nothing inevitable about the end of the civil war, from the fall of richmond to the surrender at appomattox to the murder of lincoln. This is one of those rare, shining books that takes a new look at an old subject and changes the way. Mar 20, 2001 april 1865 was a month that could have unraveled the nation. This new york times best seller from noted historian and acclaimed author jay winik forever changes common perceptions of the final month of the american civil war.