Hymns of the Republic

The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War

By: S. C. Gwynne

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling, celebrated, and award-winning author of Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell comes the spellbinding, epic account of the dramatic conclusion of the Civil War.

The fourth and final year of the Civil War offers one of that era’s most compelling narratives, defining the nation and one of history’s great turning points. Now, S.C. Gwynne’s Hymns of the Republic addresses the time Ulysses S. Grant arrives to take command of all Union armies in March 1864 to the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox a year later. He breathes new life into the epic battle between Lee and 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 the surrender at Appomattox and the murder of Abraham Lincoln.

Hymns of the Republic offers angles and insights on the war that will surprise many listeners. 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. They changed the war and forced the South to come up with a plan to use its own black soldiers.

Popular history at its best, with Hymns of the Republic Gwynne reveals the creation that arose from the destruction in this thrilling listen.

©2019 S. C. Gwynne (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

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.

The Final Year

Great documentary history of the final year of the Civil War. A good emotional telling that puts to rest much of the myths Americans believe about the Confederacy and how that awful war ended. It's time the truth is embraced and studied by all Americans.

Riveting

I couldn't stop listening to all the events that marked the last year of the civil war. A story well told.

S.C. does it again

The author in his usual non-biased role makes a convoluted, confusing & brutal war understandable. This horrific piece of American history should be required reading.

An excellent work of history

Insightful, stirring, and compelling. A master course in the gritty reality of the end of the war.

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!