Seward

Lincoln's Indispensable Man

De: Walter Stahr

Narrado por: William Dufris

From one of our most acclaimed new biographers - the first full life of the leader of Lincoln’s "team of rivals" to appear in more than 40 years. William Henry Seward was one of the most important Americans of the 19th century. Progressive governor of New York and outspoken U.S. senator, he was the odds-on favorite to win the 1860 Republican nomination for president. As secretary of state and Lincoln’s closest adviser during the Civil War, Seward not only managed foreign affairs but had a substantial role in military, political, and personnel matters.

Some of Lincoln’s critics even saw Seward, erroneously, as the power behind the throne; this is why John Wilkes Booth and his colleagues attempted to kill Seward as well as Lincoln. Seward survived the assassin’s attack, continued as secretary of state, and emerged as a staunch supporter of President Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s controversial successor. Through his purchase of Alaska ("Seward’s Folly"), and his groundwork for the purchase of the Canal Zone and other territory, Seward set America on course to become a world empire.

Seward was not only important, he was fascinating. Most nights this well-known raconteur with unruly hair and untidy clothes would gather diplomats, soldiers, politicians, or actors around his table to enjoy a cigar, a drink, and a good story. Drawing on hundreds of sources not available to or neglected by previous biographers, Walter Stahr sheds new light on this complex and central figure, as well as on pivotal events of the Civil War and its aftermath.

©2012 Walter Stahr (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Most interesting and educational

I highly recommended this book for everyone. Although we all know a lot about Lincoln, I think you will agree that this book about Seward will offer many fascinating details that you may not know.

Seward

A great story. Beyond the purchase of Alaska I knew little. I recommend it.

This book is best read and listend simultaneously.

A must read for anyone with the slightest interest in the American history and politics, or in the lives of those who have positively changed the course of bistory.

Book is outstanding!; Audible reader is annoying

This book is superb -- absorbing and well-written. But the Audible reader is terribly annoying. He's apparently an actor and tries to mimic the different voices contained in quotations in the book. He should not. His voice imitations are poorly done, and in the case of the women they are offensive -- he makes them sound mindless, insipid, and stupid. Book is outstanding but the reader should never again be employed by Audible.

This Book Illuminates Seward’s Role as a Leading Statesman of Nineteenth Century America

I especially liked learning about Seward’s role as a confidant of and adviser to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and Seward’s equally important roles keeping England and France from recognizing the Confederacy, avoiding war with Great Britain over the Trent Affair, and acquiring Alaska.