Abstract
Civil War scholar William Marvel has authored a lengthy and extensive biography of Lincoln’s shrewd and fl amboyant secretary of war. Chronologically and topically arranged, this meticulously researched work, which is the first study to appear about Stanton in over fi fty-three years, depicts him as an aggressive, erudite, and imperious lawyer. Marvel also shows that Stanton developed effective leadership skills during the presidency of the Pennsylvanian James Buchanan. The author cogently explains how this moderate Democrat gradually embraced the cause of the Radical Republicans.