Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year

Von Drehle (editor-at-large, TIME) tells the stories of Abraham Lincoln's personal and public lives month by month during 1862. The personal side includes the death of Lincoln's son Willie, Lincoln's difficult marriage, and his personal and political friendships. The public side of the story focuses on Lincoln's development as a military leader, the formation of the Emancipation Proclamation, and his relations with his cabinet. While traditionally the monumental events of 1863 are seen as the turning point in the Civil War, Von Drehle makes a strong case that Lincoln's remarkable development both as a military strategist and as a political genius occurred during these 12 months, laying the groundwork for eventual Union triumph. The author's assessment of Lincoln is primarily positive, although he addresses controversial issues such as Lincoln's complex views on race and speculation about Lincoln's sexual orientation, though he does not really investigate that topic himself, and it may come across as irresponsibly handled on the author's part.