Lincoln’s Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home By Matthew Pinsker

 

Lincoln’s Sanctuary looks at Lincoln from a new vantage point. With thousands upon thousands of Lincoln books, this seems like quite a feat but Pinsker pulls it off. Lincoln’s Sanctuary explores Abraham Lincoln’s time at the Soldiers’ Home, a cottage in the heights of Washington that served much like Camp David does today.

From 1862 to 1864, Lincoln and his family spent summers at the cottage to escape the heat and in-city pressures. Pinsker, a historian, uses primary sources to paint a vivid picture of Lincoln’s personal and political life during this period. The book connects the cottage to key wartime events, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the firing of General McClellan, and Lincoln’s evolving public image.

Lincoln buffs looking for a peek into Lincoln’s private life will find this book interesting.

Grok's take on Tempest at Dawn

 

Grok's Self-Portrait

I wasn't a strong proponent of artificial intelligence until I asked Grok about my own work. Now, I'm a fan of AI. Perhaps flattery can get you everywhere.

Is Tempest at Dawn a good book?

Grok's answer:

Yes, Tempest at Dawn by James D. Best is generally considered a good book, particularly for those interested in American history or historical fiction. Here's why:

Historical Insight: The novel provides a detailed look into the events surrounding the Constitutional Convention of 1787, offering readers a narrative that feels both educational and engaging. It's praised for bringing to life the complexities of the political negotiations and personal dynamics among the Founding Fathers.

Character Portrayal: Reviews suggest that Best does an excellent job of humanizing historical figures like James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. This portrayal adds depth to characters often seen as one-dimensional in history books, making the narrative more relatable and engaging.

Narrative Style: While not filled with the typical elements of suspense or action like other genres, the book maintains tension through its depiction of debates and compromises. Critics and readers have noted that the story "matures" as it progresses, with the writing quality improving, which suggests an evolving narrative depth.

Educational Value: It's recommended for students or anyone looking to better understand the process behind the framing of the U.S. Constitution. The novel's depiction of the convention's debates offers a human touch to what can otherwise be dry academic material.

Critical Reception: The book has been featured on lists like the Glenn Beck Reading List, indicating its recognition in certain circles for its historical accuracy and storytelling. Reviews from sources like "What Would The Founders Think?" and Goodreads users highlight its ability to flesh out the characters and make the historical event vivid.

However, some reviewers have expressed a desire for more detail on the ratification process or the role of the Federalist Papers, suggesting that while it covers the Convention well, it might not delve as deeply into these aspects as some might hope.

In summary, "Tempest at Dawn" is well-regarded for its detailed, character-driven portrayal of a pivotal moment in American history, making it a recommended read for enthusiasts of historical fiction or those looking to gain insight into the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

The real story of our nation's founding.

Great Labor Day Read

The real story of our nations founding

"The best novel EVER on the U.S.Constitution."--Larry Schweikart, author A Patriot's History of the United States and over a dozen other history books

"I find hope and confidence in the wonderfully written Tempest At Dawn, by James D. Best" Allen Ball, Beaufort Observer

"The novel captures the real drama that ensued behind closed doors as they hammered out what is now the oldest living constitution and the foundation of the nation. Read it for its historical value. Read it for its dramatic value. But read it!"--Alan Caruba, Bookviews

"Thanks to James Best's masterpiece, Tempest at Dawn, I felt like the 56th delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Using vivid narrative and expressive dialogue, Tempest at Dawn presents all the major issues the Founding Fathers struggled with."--Michael E.Newton, author of Alexander Hamilton and other history books.

"This book was absolutely fabulous. When you read, it makes you feel like you are the 56th delegate. If you want a terrific historical fiction book, I recommend you start with this one." Selbrede 40Book Challenge

"The book brings our founders to life with great writing, historic accuracy and amazing wit."--On Transmigration

Tempest at Dawn Review

I normally don't post Amazon reviews to my blog, but this one highlighted one of my favorite aspects of the book. In researching Tempest at Dawn, I read multiple books about lifestyles in the 1780s. I wanted to not only reflect what happened in the Constitutional Convention, but how the delegates lived. Separate state currencies were only one element of daily life that I wove into the political story.

Being a tremendous fan of early American history, this book immediately appealed to me. After reading it, I found there were several things I still hadn't realized about early America. The biggest was that every state had their own currency (which I'm sure restricted travel further than the fact that it could conceivably take days to travel from Connecticut to New York by wagon, depending on where in Connecticut you lived) and that there was an exchange rate between states that was figured out by...? All states still took British currency, which I suppose makes sense but I figured states frowned on dealing with British currency after the war.

At any rate, even though this is a fictional story of a real event, it held my attention and it wouldn't surprise me that all of the back room deals in the story actually happened. That was politics then as it is now.

It was also sad that with the country's imminent demise, there were politicians who still refused to give up their perceived power. Again, fictional story aside, I highly recommend this book if you like reading about early American history. Great job!

You can read the 216+ reviews (4.4) for Tempest at Dawn here.