April 1865

The Month That Saved America

By: Professor Jay Winik

Narrated by: Professor Jay Winik

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

April 1865 could have destroyed the nation. Instead it saved it. As April begins, the battered Confederate capital of Richmond falls to the Union Army. Robert E. Lee surrenders his forces to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox one week later. In good spirits and sensing the war's end, President Abraham Lincoln attends a comedic play - and is assassinated. Simultaneously, Secretary of State William Seward is brutally attacked but survives. Along with fears that remaining Confederate soldiers will break into guerrilla bands, these events threaten to plunge America into turmoil. But it is not to be.

Winik's engrossing narrative sweeps listeners along from one incredible moment to the next until, remarkably, peace is reached. A provocative and deeply researched account, this modern classic is a major reassessment of the 30 most pivotal days in United States history.

©2001 Jay Winik (P)2001 Recorded Books

If a professional narrator records this book....

I'll request an exchange. Mr. Winik's narration ruins what the first minutes promise to be an interesting book.

Fascinating and well woven

Would you listen to April 1865 again? Why?

Would like to hear another narrator. Almost gave up too soon.

What was one of the most memorable moments of April 1865?

The several decisions made against defying the peace agreements by going rogue and keeping the country in turmoil. Agreement to honor the peace, especially by the Swamp Fox, helped stabilize the country at a critical time.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Unfortunately for me, the narrator seemed too inexpressive, too monotone, too professorial. I turned it off and moved to something else - several something elses - for quite a time. Once I committed to listening continually, I got so interested in the unfolding of events that I finished it, captivated by the amazing twists and turns of personalities and outcomes.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You're not gonna believe this......

Any additional comments?

Too bad history is not taught like this in school. Maybe we'd learn something from it besides dates. This gives an appreciation for what it takes to overcome dissension and fix what's broken. If we survived this history, maybe we can survive the present day machinations if we can find enough people of good will in powerful places. I hope so.

a very schoalor book independent in facts

this book had alot of information and I learned alot. I thought it was apologetic towards the south. the narration was very slow and boring.

Great look at a critical time, poor audio quality

What a month April 1865 was for America. I think the author successfully argued it was the most important month in US history in terms of forging the American national identity. From Petersburg to the Appomattox surrender, Lincoln’s assassination to the death of Booth, this book covers it all. Sometimes the book off into the weeds a bit to provide global historical context , but that ultimately proves necessary when showing just how atypical some of the choices made truly were. Overall I definitely liked it but I can see some of the criticisms concerning pro-south or pro-Lee leanings. In the epilogue I found myself wondering of the author was arguing that secession was justified. I just rolled my eyes at these bits.

Be warned, the audio quality is pretty poor, periodically deteriorating in the second half all the way to the end.

Fantastic book, terrible performance

Incredibly impressed by the work done here, a moving, harrowing tale.

That said, while I understand the desire to read your own book, this guy is just not a performer. the book itself is a real achievement. But I wish it had been read by somebody else.

That said, incredible story, and I hope he writes more. He’s done the country a real service by writing this book. Grateful for that.

Excellent book/ terrible narrator

The author's narration of his own book is so annoying that I almost gave up on listening. The book itself is well written and very interesting if you can bear with Jay WInik's reading.

Wish I'd read it

It was well organized and very well researched. The historical detail was excellent, the writing style descriptive without being flowery, and I was truly brought back to experience April 1865. As much as I enjoyed the book, I would have enjoyed the printed version more. The narrator used a monotone and jarringly mispronounced some words (ray-shuns for rations for example) which detracted from an otherwise thoroughly great experience.

Good book, poor narration

I enjoyed the content and perspective that the author used. However, his his reading was difficult to enjoy. Too often it felt stiff and flat. It needed some emotion or emphasis, that never came. It may have been a better book to read.

Some authors shouldn't read their own books

This is a fantastic narrative of an important period of time, but the author's monotonous reading made it hard to enjoy. Still, it's worth finishing.

Great historical document

I stumbled upon this book and thought I would try it. Wow! I thought I knew my Civil War history but I was wrong. Jay does a great job illustrating the historical context of the Civil War. I will listen again in a few months.