Reason to celebrate -- Young man of Pennsylvania -- A life in politics -- Honors at home and abroad -- A run for the White House -- Conflicts and controversies -- Bleeding Kansas and John Brown -- A nation divided -- Taking the blame -- Glossary -- James Buchanan's life at a glance -- James Buchanan's life and times -- World events -- Understanding James Buchanan and his presidency better.
Summary
A biography of the fifteenth president of the United States, discussing his personal life, education, and political career.
From schoolboy to politician -- The road to the Senate -- Approaching storm -- Moving toward war -- Time line -- Glossary -- The United States government -- Choosing the president -- The White House -- Presidential perks -- Facts.
Immigrant's son -- Love and politics -- To Washington : congressman Buchanan -- Senator Buchanan -- Diplomacy -- The most suitable man for the times -- President Buchanan -- March toward war -- Back to wheatland.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [431]-438) and index.
Contents
August 20, 1862 to March 22, 1863, Missouri -- March 28 to September 24, 1863, the Vicksburg Campaign -- October 4, 1863 to July 24, 1864, Texas and Louisiana -- July 26, 1864 to December 25, 1864, Virginia -- January 9, 1865 to August 2, 1865, South Carolina, North Carolina, Iowa.
Summary
"While there are many collections of letters from Civil War soldiers to their wives, very few include such a rich trove of letters from the homefront. Together they paint an engrossing portrait of a soldier and husband who was trying to do his patriotic and familial duty, and of a wife trying to cope with loneliness and responsibility while longing for her husband's safe return. Beautifully edited and annotated...they bring to life a nation under siege and provide a rare look at the war's impact on both the common soldier and his family." [from the book jacket]