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."

Fascinating Story of the End of the Civil War

This is the third book by this author that I have read. He never disappoints. As with the other two books I have read, this book establishes the context of the last year of the war. I would say that there are three main characters: Lincoln, Grant, and Lee. There are secondary characters as well that do not go ignored. The book reads like a novel and that keeps it entertaining. The narrator does a very nice job that keeps the book interesting. I learned a great deal from reading the book. The Civil War was a special kind of hell for our country. That comes across in the book. The author does not avoid the complex issues of race and slavery. He points out that the oversimplifications of the causes of the war (states’ rights or slavery) need to be looked at in the light of many other factors. I can recommend this book to any person who wants to know how the last year of the Civil War put our country in a horrendous environment that we still feel.

well told with balance

I think this book was well told from both points of view with balance. I enjoyed it very much.

SC Gwynne does it again

Another excellent book by my favorite author. I’m looking forward to reading his next one.

Excellent!

I’ve been a Civil War buff for a long time and read a number of books over the years on the subject, but I have to say this is probably one of the best ones I’ve come across. It’s extremely well written, well researched, and the narration is top notch. Highly recommended!

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.