Comments on: Interview: Larry Tagg, “The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln”

By: MilitaryHistory

MilitaryHistory — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:13:01 +0000

Thank you for posting a very interesting interview with author Larry Tagg. If anyone is interested in more information about Larry or his book, including an excerpt, they can check at http://www.savasbeatie.com/books/LINCOLN_book.htm.

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:50:54 +0000

Thanks!

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:51:32 +0000

Thanks MPC. One of my few criticisms of Larry’s book is that he did not make enough of the fact that McClellan’s criticisms of Lincoln were by no means unique in the country, in the North, in the army, or even within AL’s own “Team of Rivals”. McC often gets hammered for calling AL a “gorilla”, but he simply borrowed that term from his old friend Stanton. And of course anyone familiar with McC’s writings will have to admit that his opinions of AL varied from time to time, and from warm regards to derision. But the framing of the passages on McC in the book still create the impression that McC was somehow exceptional in his sometimes expressed negative views of AL. A full reading of the book makes it aboundantly clear he was not.

By: MPC

MPC — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:01:56 +0000

Harry:

By the way, I have been reading your blog for several months now in the background, never posting comments. It is probably my favorite site on the internet. Really, First Rate work…..

MPC

By: MPC

MPC — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:58:02 +0000

First off, thanks for the post. The thing that strikes me and inspires me about Mr. Tagg is his lack of a “classical” education in historical research and writing. As someone in a similar position (with a masters degree in Chemistry), it inspires me to know that people without this training still have a chance in getting noticed in a highly competitive academic field. I too hope to publish a book in my life and am currently researching a topic, rather, trying to find a topic/hypothesis, by reading as broadly as I can.

Second, I must admit that I have been seriously mistaken for sometime about the influence of our 16th president in sculpting the entire facade of the War. Last month I decided to buy copies of “A. Lincoln” by Ronald C. White, Jr., and “Lincoln and McClellan” by John C. Waught. Wow! Masterpieces. So after finishing these two, I bought Larry Tagg’s book and “Lincoln” by Donald along with several other volumes.

I am really looking forward to reading it, especially after broadening my knowledge of the vitriolic temperament McClellan had towards his commander in chief. I am stunned how anyone could have dealt with such hate and insubordination. At times, I wanted to throw the Waught book across the room with how upset it made me! Its stunning to try comprehending how Lincoln maintained his cool persona with these scoundrels. I am really looking forward to learning more from this book, as its reviews have been phenomenal.

MPC