Category Archives: American Civil War

William Pennington’s Revenge

Posted on January 6, 2023 by nathanalbright

On February 1, 1860, after nearly 40 unsuccessful ballots for Speaker of the House, a forgotten and milquetoast moderate Republican, William Pennington of New Jersey, was chosen for the position in the face of a bitterly divided House of Representatives … Continue reading →

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The Politics Of Philemon And The Christian

Posted on July 4, 2021 by nathanalbright

[Note: This is the prepared text for a split sermon given to the Dalles congregation of the United Church of God on July 3, 2021.] Let’s talk about the politics of Philemon and how they relate to the Christian. One … Continue reading →

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Audiobook Review: Lincoln: A Life Of Purpose And Power

Posted on May 20, 2021 by nathanalbright

Lincoln: A Life Of Purpose And Power, by Richard Carwardine, read by Stefan Rudnicki Abraham Lincoln is an interesting historical figure, especially because of the combination between the high moral tone of his approach as a leader and the shrewdness … Continue reading →

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Audiobook Review: Rise To Greatness

Posted on May 20, 2021 by nathanalbright

Rise To Greatness: Abraham Lincoln And America’s Most Perilous Year, by David Von Drehle The author of this book makes the case that 1862 was the most perilous year in America’s history, and in doing so presents a compelling case … Continue reading →

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Audiobook Review: Tried By Fire

Posted on May 20, 2021 by nathanalbright

Tried By Fire: Abraham Lincoln As Commander In Chief, by James McPherson Given that there are at least a good 14,000 books that have been written about Abraham Lincoln, it is nonetheless remarkable that his role as commander and chief … Continue reading →

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Roads To Glory For The Political General

Posted on April 15, 2021 by nathanalbright

In reading a couple of books about Nathaniel Banks, and having previously read books about other Civil War political generals like Benjamin Butler, I was struck by the thought of how it was that political generals ended up receiving a … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Fighting Politician: Major General N.P. Banks

Posted on April 15, 2021 by nathanalbright

Fighting Politician: Major General N.P. Banks, by Fred Harvey Harrington This book is an interesting and not particularly sympathetic biography of Nathaniel Prentice Banks, who is largely remembered only by students of Civil War history, although Banks had a lengthy … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Campaigning With Banks In Louisiana, ’63 And ’64, And With Sheridan In The Shenandoah Valley In ’64 And ’65

Posted on April 15, 2021 by nathanalbright

Campaigning With Banks In Louisiana, ’63 And ’64, And With Sheridan In The Shenandoah Valley In ’64 And ’65, by Frank M. Flinn One of the more interesting aspects of this book to me as a reader is that the … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Civil War Command & Strategy

Posted on March 17, 2021 by nathanalbright

Civil War Command & Strategy: The Process Of Victory And Defeat, by Archer Jones This book is an interesting one, and it has an interesting approach in that it looks at the campaigns of the Civil War with an eye … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Politics Of Command

Posted on March 17, 2021 by nathanalbright

The Politics Of Command: Factions And Ideas In Confederate Strategy, by Thomas Lawrence Connolly and Archer Jones There are a few people at least who will read this book and miss what I think is the worth and enjoyment of … Continue reading →

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