Midnight on the Potomac

What if the end of the Civil War wasn't the neat and tidy conclusion you learned about in school? This book summary transports you to the chaotic, uncertain final year of the conflict, revealing the fragile moments when the Union's victory and America's future hung precariously in the balance. You'll discover the untold stories behind the headlines, from the secret plots swirling around Washington D.C. to the personal anxieties of Abraham Lincoln as he navigated political betrayal and military desperation. Uncover the dramatic events that led to the assassination and see how a shattered nation began its painful rebirth.

Scott Ellsworth is a New York Times bestselling author and leading historian on race and American history, whose previous work, The Secret Game, was a PEN/ESPN Award winner. A former historian at the Smithsonian Institution, Ellsworth has dedicated his career to uncovering pivotal, often overlooked moments in the nation's past. His deep archival research and compelling narrative style bring to life the complex social and political forces that have shaped modern America, offering readers a profound understanding of our shared history.