America In Context

As I mentioned in my last post, I talked a lot about the Civil War lately. Five out of the last 6 posts referenced the Civil War! Well, of course the War Between the States would factor prominently in a blog about the National Park System: so much of our history depends on that war in some form or another. You can’t really put America in context without an understanding of that conflict, it’s vital in any study of American history (it’s not just for Civil War geeks, that’s for sure 😉 ). That’s why so many sites in the NPS revolve around the Civil War, and that’s all for the best.

In the 7th post of this cycle, I thought I’d post about another of my favorite books: Jay Winik’s April 1865.

Winik was brilliant in his choice of topic. All of those key events at the end of the Civil War occurred in April of 1865: the end of the siege of Petersburg, the evacuation of Richmond, Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, his succession by the incapable Andrew Johnson, the chase and capture of John Wilkes Booth, the defeat of Confederate cavalry Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, the surrender of Confederate Gen. Joseph Johnston to stern-hearted William Tecumseh Sherman in South Carolina, and the subsequent surrender of other Confederate commands throughout the South. Shortly thereafter, in the first weeks of May, the Civil War would be over entirely, Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis would be captured, and a reformed nation would begin to rise from the ashes.

 Winik not only describes these events in an exciting, narrative style; he also gives plenty of backstory and context to make the entire work incredibly interesting. I found this book nearly impossible to put down (causing many problems trying to get to work on time). I think April 1865 is a great book, even for those who simply want a good read and aren’t particularly enthusiastic about American history.

[It was also made into a History Channel documentary for those of you not quite enthusiastic about reading 🙂 ]