Pathfinder and the President

Two towering figures of American history collide in this riveting account of how the struggle between Lincoln and his defiant general John C. Fremont shaped the Civil War and emancipation. ... a masterwork of history. . .Bicknell deftly interweaves Fremonts story with the grander narrative of the war and Abraham Lincolns presidency. -Jon D. Schaff, author of Abraham Lincolns Statesmanship and the Limits of Liberal Democracy. In 1856, John C. Fremontthe famed Pathfinder of the American Westbecame the Republican Partys first presidential nominee on an anti-slavery platform. Five years later, now a Union general under President Lincoln, he sparked a national crisis by unilaterally declaring emancipation in Missouri. Drawing from extensive research, author John Bicknell masterfully chronicles the volatile relationship between these two leaders as they grappled with slavery, military strategy, and the future of the nation. Reveals how Fremonts radical actions in Missouri influenced Lincolns own path to the Emancipation Proclamation Explores the complex political and military dimensions of Civil War leadership Illuminates the crucial role of border states in shaping Union strategy Provides fresh insights into the personal dynamics that affected wartime decision-making From award-winning historian John Bicknell comes an essential new perspective on the Civil War era, acclaimed by scholars as powerful, engaging, and distinctive. Perfect for readers of both Civil War history and political biography, this compelling narrative shows how the clash between Lincoln and Fremont helped determine the course of emancipation and the outcome of the war itself. Bicknells flair for tightly rendered historical storytelling sits atop a foundation of sweeping research in this powerful tale. . .A colorful and distinctive narrative. -Robert W. Merry, author of Decade of Disunion