
audiobook
by George S. (George Sewall) Boutwell
In this candid memoir, a seasoned statesman recounts his turbulent entry into the United States Congress during the Civil War era. He describes the fierce electoral battles that pitted him against rival parties and the shifting loyalties of a nation torn by conflict. The narrative paints vivid portraits of contemporaries—Garfield, Blaine, and the formidable orator Henry Winter Davis—capturing their personalities and the charged atmosphere of wartime debates.
Beyond personal anecdotes, the book offers a window into the political climate of the 1860s: heated speeches, daring censures, and the clash between radical reformers and conservative factions. Readers hear the clang of partisan rhetoric, the strategic maneuverings within committees, and the moral dilemmas faced by legislators wrestling with the war’s human cost. Through sharp observations and a reflective tone, the volume brings to life a pivotal chapter of American governance, inviting listeners to experience the drama and conviction that shaped the nation’s path.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (618K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-12-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1818–1905
A self-made Massachusetts reformer, he rose from clerk and teacher to governor, senator, and U.S. Treasury secretary. His long public career stretched from the antislavery era through Reconstruction, putting him close to some of the biggest political struggles of 19th-century America.
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