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1861 by Jay Winik

1861

The Lost Peace

Jay Winik

Grand Central Publishing · Print & ebook · May 27, 2025

From an award-winning historian and New York Times bestselling author, a gripping, fly-on-the-wall account of the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's decision to go to war against the Confederacy.

Civil War EraPresidents & World LeadersCivil Warsamerica
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historypolitics
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Who it’s for
A measured look at 1861 that leans into context, tension, and historical consequence.
Genres
Civil War Era, Presidents & World Leaders, Civil Wars
Published
Grand Central Publishing, May 27, 2025

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Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genre: Civil War Era.

  1. Lincoln's PeaceMichael Vorenberg70% matchAlso shares Presidents & World Leaders and Civil Wars
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  7. Our Ancient FaithAllen C. Guelzo67% matchAlso shares Presidents & World Leaders
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For younger readers: Bloody Times, Lincoln in His Own Words, Two Miserable Presidents

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About this book

From an award-winning historian and New York Times bestselling author, a gripping, fly-on-the-wall account of the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's decision to go to war against the Confederacy. 1861: The Lost Peace is the story of President Lincoln’s difficult and courageous decision at a time when the country wrestled with deep moral questions of epic proportions.

Continue reading

Through Jay Winik’s singular reporting and storytelling, readers will learn about the extraordinary Washington Peace Conference at the Willard Hotel to avert cataclysmic war. They will observe the irascible and farsighted Senator JJ Crittenden, the tireless moderate seeking a middle way to peace. Lincoln himself called Crittenden “a great man” even as Lincoln jousted with him. Readers will glimpse inside Lincoln’s cabinet—the finest in history—which rivaled the executive in its authority, a fact too often forgotten, and witness a parade of statesmen frenetically grasping for peace rather than the spectacle of a young nation slowly choking itself to death. A perfect read for history buffs, with timely overtones to our current political climate.

Why It Clicks

A measured look at 1861 that leans into context, tension, and historical consequence.

Come here for

  • Civil War-era context, with political stakes front and center
  • A serious, explanatory read with room for conversation

Expect

  • Prestige-leaning history prose
  • Cultural and political framing over battlefield recaps

Where it sits

Civil War Era100%
Presidents & World Leaders46%
Civil Wars34%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Other Military Conflicts
  • Civil War Era
  • How Political Campaigns Work
Authors
Jay Winik
Publisher
Grand Central Publishing
Published
May 27, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Other Military Conflicts