Hymns of the Republic

The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War

By: S. C. Gwynne

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell comes “a masterwork of history” (Lawrence Wright, author of God Save Texas), the spellbinding, epic account of the last year of the Civil War.

The fourth and final year of the Civil War offers one of the most compelling narratives and one of history’s great turning points. Now, Pulitzer Prize finalist S.C. Gwynne breathes new life into the epic battle between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant; the advent of 180,000 black soldiers in the Union army; William Tecumseh Sherman’s March to the Sea; the rise of Clara Barton; the election of 1864 (which Lincoln nearly lost); the wild and violent guerrilla war in Missouri; and the dramatic final events of the war, including Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and the murder of Abraham Lincoln.

“A must-read for Civil War enthusiasts” (Publishers Weekly), Hymns of the Republic offers many surprising angles and insights. Robert E. Lee, known as a great general and Southern hero, is presented here as a man dealing with frustration, failure, and loss. Ulysses S. Grant is known for his prowess as a field commander, but in the final year of the war he largely fails at that. His most amazing accomplishments actually began the moment he stopped fighting. William Tecumseh Sherman, Gwynne argues, was a lousy general, but probably the single most brilliant man in the war. We also meet a different Clara Barton, one of the greatest and most compelling characters, who redefined the idea of medical care in wartime. And proper attention is paid to the role played by large numbers of black union soldiers—most of them former slaves.

Popular history at its best, Hymns of the Republic reveals the creation that arose from destruction in this “engrossing…riveting” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) read.

Critic reviews

"Robert Petkoff gives a splendid reading of Pulitzer Prize recipient Gwynne's well-researched and well-written account of the last year of the American Civil War. Providing an overview of the war in the East (Virginia), the West (Georgia and Tennessee), and on the Frontier (Kansas and Missouri), Gwynne describes the vast scale of the war and gives the drama a very human face. Petkoff's baritone is employed well. He moves at an easy-to-follow pace and is very clear in his enunciation."

Amazing!

One of the most thoroughly researched novels I’ve ever read. The nuance of historical events allows you to understand events and figures of history as human beings and thus the imperfect outcomes and decisions of those events are well understood. Few books have presented a better, well rounded and true depiction of what life was like during these years.

One of the best books I've ever read!

I have always been a Civil War buff, not hardcore, but with a very definite interest. This book was perfect. From the opening scene in the White House to the closing scene the story is so well told and laid out that I could not stop listening. It took a modern sensibility and applied it to the times and handled things in a very fair manner. Must read for any Civil War fan.

Best Civil War So Far..,

lots I never heard before. personal thoughts and actions of people. give it a try.

Fact and Fiction

I appreciate the author's attempt to portray, as much as humanly possible, the tragic story of the deadliest war in the history of our Republic.

Great story-telling!

I learned a lot from listening to this book. Gwynne did a fabulous job of bringing out the unique personalities of the major players in the Civil War.