1861 The Lost Peace
1861 The Lost Peace by Jay Winik, published by Grand Central Publishing in 2025, offers a detailed account of the pivotal weeks leading up to President Abraham Lincoln’s decision to engage in war against the Confederacy. This 400-page book delves into the complex moral and political dilemmas faced by the nation during this tumultuous period, highlighting the efforts to avert conflict through the extraordinary Washington Peace Conference at the Willard Hotel.
Readers will encounter key figures such as Senator JJ Crittenden, who sought a moderate path to peace, and gain insights into Lincoln’s cabinet, often regarded as one of the finest in history. The narrative captures the urgency of statesmen striving for peace amidst the looming threat of war, providing a rich historical context that resonates with contemporary political discussions. This edition is presented in English, making it accessible to a wide audience interested in American history and the events that shaped the nation.
Official synopsis Publisher
From award-winning historian and New York Times bestselling author of April 1865: The Month That Saved America Jay Winik, a gripping 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 far-reaching, difficult, and most courageous decision, a time when the country wrestled with deep moral and political questions of epic proportions.
Through Jay Winik’s singular storytelling, readers will learn about the extraordinary Washington Peace Conference at the Willard Hotel to avert cataclysmic war. They will observe the charismatic 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. They’ll be inside and among Lincoln’s cabinet-the finest in history-which rivaled the executive in its authority, a fact too often forgotten, and they will see a parade of statesmen frenetically grasping for peace rather than the spectacle of the young nation slowly choking in its own blood. A perfect read for the historically inclined, with haunting overtones to our current political climate.
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