Lincoln's Autocrat: The Life of Edwin Stanton (Civil War America)

Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869), One Of The Nineteenth Century's Most Impressive Legal And Political Minds, Wielded Enormous Influence And Power As Lincoln's Secretary Of War During Most Of The Civil War And Under Johnson During The Early Years Of Reconstruction. In The First Full Biography Of Stanton In More Than Fifty Years, William Marvel Offers A Detailed Reexamination Of Stanton's Life, Career, And Legacy. Marvel Argues That While Stanton Was A Formidable Advocate And Politician, His Character Was Hardly Benign. Climbing From A Difficult Youth To The Pinnacle Of Power, Stanton Used His Authority--and The Public Coffers--to Pursue Political Vendettas, And He Exercised Sweeping Wartime Powers With A Cavalier Disregard For Civil Liberties. Though Lincoln's Ability To Harness A Cabinet With Sharp Divisions And Strong Personalities Is Widely Celebrated, Marvel Suggests That Stanton's Tenure Raises Important Questions About Lincoln's Actual Control Over The Executive Branch. This Insightful Biography Also Reveals Why Men Like Ulysses S. Grant Considered Stanton A Coward And A Bully, Who Was Unashamed To Use Political Power For Partisan Enforcement And Personal Preservation. Banks Of The Ohio -- The Wife Of His Youth -- The Golden Triangle -- The Princess Of Penn Street -- The California Mission -- An Honourable Murderer -- The Court Spy -- Metamorphosis -- Best Friend To All -- The Cabal -- The War Within -- Organizing Victory -- Prisoners Of Circumstance -- Minister Of Propaganda -- The Gift Of Martyrdom -- Avenging Angel -- The Trojan Horse -- End Of The Tether -- The Stealthy Applicant. William Marvel. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 557-589) And Index. Edwin M. Stanton (1814–1869), one of the nineteenth century's most impressive legal and political minds, wielded enormous influence and power as Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of War during most of the Civil War and under Andrew Johnson during the early years of Reconstruction. This biography offers a detailed reexamination of Stanton's life, career, and legacy. The text argues that while Stanton was a formidable advocate and politician, his character was hardly benign. Climbing from a difficult youth to the pinnacle of power, Stanton used his authority—and the public coffers—to pursue political vendettas, and he exercised sweeping wartime powers with a cavalier disregard for civil liberties.