Meticulously researched and dramatized, this is the missing link for anyone who would like to commemorate 150 years since the end of the Civil War. Do you recognize the names Anna Ella Carroll, John C. Breckinridge, Matthew Brady, or John Hay? Perhaps you should. These and others are people who shaped the times of the Civil War era, with their intelligence and fortitude. This novel lends view to the complex political times, as opposed to focusing mainly on military strategy or those left behind in wartime. If you have read "Gone with the Wind" as well as "Killer Angels," this novel is a nice complement and an enjoyable read. ( )

Mr. Safire is a competent novelist. But he's not greatly given to "fine Writing" , not a great surprize, given his background in journalism. As a person researching the Antietam campaign, I found this a very useful book (and added a half-star for that reason.) But the tale of Washington and the Army of the Potomac, was decently told, and the events were handled with good pacing and intelligence. This book is thick, but its matter was important. ( )