About the book
Joseph Holt, the stern, brilliant, and deeply committed Unionist from Kentucky, spent the first several months of the American Civil War successfully laboring to maintain Kentucky’s loyalty to the Union and then went on to serve as President Lincoln’s judge advocate general. In Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally, Elizabeth Leonard offers the first full-scale biography of Holt, who has long been overlooked and misunderstood by historians and students of the war.
In his capacity as the administration’s chief arbiter and enforcer of military law, Holt strove tenaciously, often against strong resistance, to implement Lincoln’s wartime policies, including emancipation. After Lincoln’s assassination, Holt accepted responsibility for pursuing and bringing to justice everyone involved in John Wilkes Booth’s conspiracy. It was because of this role, in which he is often portrayed as a brutal prosecutor, and because of his hard position toward the South, Leonard contends, that Holt’s reputation suffered. Leonard argues, however, that Holt should not be defined by what Southern sympathizers and proponents of the Lost Cause came to think of him. Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally seeks to restore Holt, who dedicated both his energy and his influence to ensuring that the Federal victory would bring about lasting positive change for the nation, to his rightful place in American memory.
Editions of Lincoln's Forgotten Ally
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807835005
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469621838
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893130256
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469602738
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807869383
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890840646
Read an Excerpt
Joseph Holt, the stern, brilliant, and deeply committed Unionist from Kentucky, spent the first several months of the American Civil War successfully laboring to maintain Kentucky’s loyalty to the Union and then went on to serve as President Lincoln’s judge advocate general. In Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally, Elizabeth Leonard offers the first full-scale biography of Holt, who has long been overlooked and misunderstood by historians and students of the war.
In his capacity as the administration’s chief arbiter and enforcer of military law, Holt strove tenaciously, often against strong resistance, to implement Lincoln’s wartime policies, including emancipation. After Lincoln’s assassination, Holt accepted responsibility for pursuing and bringing to justice everyone involved in John Wilkes Booth’s conspiracy. It was because of this role, in which he is often portrayed as a brutal prosecutor, and because of his hard position toward the South, Leonard contends, that Holt’s reputation suffered. Leonard argues, however, that Holt should not be defined by what Southern sympathizers and proponents of the Lost Cause came to think of him. Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally seeks to restore Holt, who dedicated both his energy and his influence to ensuring that the Federal victory would bring about lasting positive change for the nation, to his rightful place in American memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lincoln's Forgotten Ally about?
Joseph Holt, the stern, brilliant, and deeply committed Unionist from Kentucky, spent the first several months of the American Civil War successfully laboring to maintain Kentucky’s loyalty to the Union and then went on to serve as President Lincoln’s judge advocate general. In Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally, Elizabeth Leonard offers the first full-scale biography of Holt, who has long been overlooked and misunderstood by historians and students of the war.
In his capacity as the administration’s chief arbiter and enforcer of military law, Holt strove tenaciously, often against strong resistance, to implement Lincoln’s wartime policies, including emancipation. After Lincoln’s assassination, Holt accepted responsibility for pursuing and bringing to justice everyone involved in John Wilkes Booth’s conspiracy. It was because of this role, in which he is often portrayed as a brutal prosecutor, and because of his hard position toward the South, Leonard contends, that Holt’s reputation suffered. Leonard argues, however, that Holt should not be defined by what Southern sympathizers and proponents of the Lost Cause came to think of him. Lincoln’s Forgotten Ally seeks to restore Holt, who dedicated both his energy and his influence to ensuring that the Federal victory would bring about lasting positive change for the nation, to his rightful place in American memory.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Lincoln's Forgotten Ally?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Lincoln's Forgotten Ally?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807835005
How long is Lincoln's Forgotten Ally and how many pages does it have?
Lincoln's Forgotten Ally has 432 page(s)
Is Lincoln's Forgotten Ally part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Civil War America
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Lincoln's Forgotten Ally?
Elizabeth D. Leonard
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Lincoln's Forgotten Ally is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807835005) and paperback(ISBN 9781469621838) and ebook(ISBN 9798893130256) and ebook(ISBN 9781469602738) and ebook(ISBN 9780807869383) and pdf(ISBN 9798890840646)
Where can I buy Lincoln's Forgotten Ally online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Lincoln's Forgotten Ally from below
Where can I buy Lincoln's Forgotten Ally?