Walter Stahr - Seward: Lincolns Indispensable Man

Praise for Walter Stahrs Seward

Winner of the William H. Seward Book Award
Winner of the Henry Adams Prize
History News Networks Best Books of 2012
Seattle Times Best Books of 2012

[A] masterly new biography... [of] one of the most influential and polarizing American politicians of the nineteenth century.

The New Yorker

This magnificent biography finally provides what William Henry Seward so justly deservesa full, terrific and complex portrait of his endlessly fascinating life.

Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals

Walter Stahrs new biography offers an overdue reminder of the much broader scope of [Sewards] work.

The Economist

This highly readable biography, based on thorough research in original sources, effectively shows that Seward deserves more fame as a patriot-statesman than he has traditionally enjoyed.

Michael Burlingame, The Wall Street Journal

Writing like [this] makes history come alive: a researcher digging into the mines of the past and quarrying new insight on an old story. Seward: Lincolns Indispensable Man is filled with... stories powerfully told by a historian who has provided a great book worthy of a great man.

The Dallas Morning News

In this fine volume, Walter Stahr has rendered a signal service by resurrecting the life of the often neglected William Henry Seward. His sweeping portrait of the long-standing secretary of state is always lucid, engaging, scrupulously fair-minded, and deeply researched. This biography stands as a valuable addition to the rich literature of American politics in the mid-nineteenth century.

Ron Chernow, author of Washington: A Life

Stahr gives Seward his due in this intelligent and illuminating biography of one of the most important political figures of the 19th century.... He wasnt just Lincolns indispensable man; throughout his career Seward was an indispensable man to the nation as well.

Huffington Post

In this first major biography of Seward in more than 40 years, Stahr dutifully chronicles his rise from young provincial lawyer to chief diplomat of a rended nation.

The New York Times Book Review

An intriguing featured character in Lincoln lore and biography, William H. Seward has long needed an updated, authoritative biographyand Walter Stahr has at last produced the life story Seward deserves. Mining neglected sources and bringing analytical wisdom and literary craft to Sewards complicated life, Stahr reveals the principled humanity within a political giant too long considered merely a crafty, frustrated office-seeker. Seward emerges from these pages as a major influencenot only on Abraham Lincoln, but on the transformation of 19th-century America.

Harold Holzer, author of Lincoln at Cooper Union and Lincoln President-Elect

After a rocky start during which Seward crossed swords with Lincoln in the issue of Fort Sumter and other matters, the secretary of state did indeed become the presidents most indispensable ally. Politician, diplomat, raconteur, a figure of controversy and power, Seward has finally found a biographer equal to his importance.

James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era

A close acquaintance of Seward once said that he was kind, genial, approachable and humorousfull of good points, diplomatic to a fault. So too is this biography.

Washington Independent Review of Books

This formidable figure has finally gained the biographer hes long deserved... a first-rate biography.

Publishers Weekly , starred review

Walter Stahrs highly readable account, the first in over 40 years, shows why Seward is ranked by most historians, along with John Quincy Adams, as Americas greatest and most influential secretary of state.

David Roll, The Wall Street Journal

Walter Stahr sets the record straight in his compelling Seward: Lincolns Indispensable Man , arguing convincingly that other than presidents, Seward was the foremost American statesman of the nineteenth century.... Stahr presents a detailed but crisp narrative.

USA Today

Seward is a fascinating biography about one of the most elusive men in history. Seward once claimed that he was an enigma even to himself; fortunately, he is not an enigma to Walter Stahr, who has succeeded admirably in capturing the full complexity of President Lincolns right hand man. Stahr has written an important and necessary book.

Amanda Foreman, author of World on Fire: Britains Crucial Role in the American Civil War

A beautifully told, carefully researched narrative of William H. Sewards momentous career, from his days as a rising young antislavery politician to his role as Lincolns right-hand man during the Civil War, culminating in his achievements as architect of American empire. Walter Stahr has delivered a biography worthy of one of Americas greatest statesmen.

Daniel Walker Howe, author of What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 18151848

This monumental biography of Lincolns secretary of state is impeccably researched and written in an engaging manner that keeps the pages turning easily.

Seattle Times

Seward is the first full biography of William Seward in more than 40 years and is packed with fresh insight into Lincolns secretary of state and closest Civil War adviser.

The Oregonian

A complex man, often engulfed in controversy before, during and after the Civil War, William H. Seward is one of those rare American politicians who made a significant difference in the history of his time. Walter Stahr has reminded us of his importance in this superbly written book.

Thomas Fleming, author of The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers

A worthy tribute to one of the most important political figures of the nineteenth century.

Booklist

A thorough, refreshing biography by an independent-minded historian.

Kirkus Reviews

Stahr completes Sewards life and demonstrates his enormous impact on American history before, during, and long after the 1860s.

Library Journal

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For Masami

All illustrations are from the Library of Congress except illustration

Outside the Lafayette Square home of Secretary of State William Henry Seward, in the shadows of an early spring evening in Washington, two assassins watched and waited, their horses and weapons at hand. Lewis Powell and David Herold knew from the local papers that the aged secretary was confined to his bed by severe injuries he had suffered a few days earlier in a driving accident. So they realized that although Powell, the tall, strong southern veteran set to enter the house and kill the secretary, might have some difficulties in finding and reaching his victim, once he found him, Seward would not fight back. Herold and Powell were part of the team assembled by the actor John Wilkes Booth in order to kill, on one night and at one time, President Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary Seward. Booth himself was a few blocks away at Fords Theater, about to enter Lincolns box to shoot and kill the president.

At around ten oclock, Powell handed Herold his reins, ascended the steps, and knocked on Sewards door. Powell explained to the young black servant, William Bell, that he was a messenger from Sewards doctor bringing medicine for Seward; he pointed to a small package that Booth had provided him as a prop. Bell offered to take the package, but Powell refused, saying the doctor had asked Powell to bring the medicine to Seward himself. Powell and Bell bickered for a minute or two, and then Powell started upstairs, with Bell behind, urging him not to make so much noise.