PositivePittsburgh Post-Gazette... a fresh take on the racial and political turmoil that followed the Civil War ... Mr. Levine’s depiction of Douglass is particularly revelatory ... To some degree, he oversimplifies the issues in the [Andrew Johnson impeachment] trial and misreads the motives of its participants. At times, Mr. Levine’s book shades into advocacy and wishful thinking, though his disappointment with the Radicals’ unwillingness to confront white supremacy is understandable. Ultimately, the reader comes away with a greater appreciation of Douglass’ courage and eloquence, as well as the sense that Johnson was less a cold-hearted villain than a representative of his time.
Ron Chernow
RaveThe Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRon Chernow’s magisterial biography of Grant argues that this complex, troubled man — called 'stupid,' 'corrupt' and a 'butcher' by earlier historians and pundits — was a great moral leader in the political realm as well as the savior of the Union on the battlefield ... Grant’s mixed legacy offers him [Chernow] a greater challenge. He meets his task by concentrating on two points — Grant’s transformation from chronic loser to conquering hero and his role as a champion of racial justice ...his book is a character study of a deeply flawed but undeniably great man who hid his emotions behind a stoic facade ... What’s most compelling about Grant is the author’s search for the keys to Grant’s personality. Mr. Chernow keeps returning to Grant’s empathy for losers... If Mr. Chernow can’t completely solve the riddle of the Sphinx-like Ulysses, he does succeed in giving us as complete a portrait of him as we’re likely to see for a long time.
Sidney Blumenthal
RaveThe Pittsburgh Post-GazetteMr. Blumenthal brings a sharp, battle-honed political mind to the task of re-telling this seemingly familiar story ... If big themes undergird the book, the author also relishes the fine details of family rivalries and small acts of revenge ... Wrestling With His Angel manages to put flesh on the dry bones of forgotten political characters ... Wrestling With His Angel retells this crucial chapter in Lincoln’s story with fresh eyes, ones that don’t miss its relevance to today.
Michael Kazin
PositiveThe Pittsburgh Post-GazetteCentral to the story is Woodrow Wilson, who encourages the peace advocates while slowly moving his country toward a pro-Allies stance. Mr. Kazin seems ambivalent about how to portray him — at various points, he comes across as idealistic, scheming and self-sacrificing ... Could the U.S. have kept itself out of World War I? Mr. Kazin suggests a few scenarios. One of the most fascinating involves Mr. Wilson losing his re-election bid in 1916. By running as the president who 'kept us out of war,' Mr. Wilson held the peace forces at bay and had a freer hand to join the Allies a year later ... Mr. Kazin ends War Against War with a salute to those who search for peace. He deserves praise for portraying that quest with clear-eyed honesty and rigor. Maybe that kind of clarity could help keep us out of wars to come.
