Walter Stahr, author of Seward: Lincoln's Indispensible Man and John Jay: Founding Father has joined our forum. Welcome, Mr. Stahr!

I second Linda. Welcome Mr. Stahr - we have many folks on this forum who have great interest in William Seward and his family.

Welcome, Mr. Stahr!

Love your book on Seward. I'm a Seward "fan" myself. We're so very, very glad to have you on our Forum - welcome aboard!! You'll find that we're quite a friendly and enthusiastic crew!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome!!!!!

We are delighted to welcome you to this forum. Although we sell your book at the Surratt House Museum, I have not had a chance to peruse it - but I hear good things! It will be interesting to get your viewpoint on a new book that should be coming out within the next year. I was able to quickly see parts of it under production. Its working title at that time was American Braggadocio, and it dealt with the subject of Seward's strengths and weaknesses as Secretary of State in the first years of the Lincoln administration.

Welcome Mr. Stahr. It is an honor to have you on our forum. Best wishes Gary

Dear Lincoln Discussion folks: glad to join you all, glad to hear that some of you have read and enjoyed Seward. I stumbled upon your page about Stanton, and wanted to let you know that I am working upon him. I agree with the comments there, that Thomas & Hyman is the best book to date, but believe I can improve upon that.

I'm looking forward to the program about your book that will be on C-Span American History Television this weekend. I have set my DVR!

Welcome Walter,There has been great conversation between us.Sorry I was unable to see you in Auburn and Batavia,NY.However,I have read your book-Excellent.

(02-28-2013 02:16 PM)wbstahr Wrote:  Dear Lincoln Discussion folks: glad to join you all, glad to hear that some of you have read and enjoyed Seward. I stumbled upon your page about Stanton, and wanted to let you know that I am working upon him. I agree with the comments there, that Thomas & Hyman is the best book to date, but believe I can improve upon that.

Stanton certainly is a fascinating character. It will be interesting to see your research as to whether Stanton was involved in Lincoln's murder, as some have said. Fanny Seward writes of his kindness and compassion towards her after the Sewards' carriage accident and Powell's assault. Stanton would have had to been quite an actor if he knew anything beforehand about the plot to kill Lincoln and Seward.

I reread the Edwin Stanton thread you are referring to. People certainly are divided on him. This is from Bill Richter: "My G*d, Tomas Thorne, get over your love affair with Stanton. He was a pluperfect jerk, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The only thing wrong with Secretary Welles analysis of Stanton was that Welles was too nice."

Tom's response: "I am by no means an uncritical admirer of Stanton. While an excellent administrator, I don't think he had sufficient calmness to deal with the stresses of battle. He was too trustful of Holt and he lacked the fine sense of discrimination required in handling internal security. Despite the accusations made against him, he did not as far as I can see use improper command influence to have the conspirators who were not sentenced to death in the L.A. put to death. I have seen no evidence that Stanton or Holt withheld the commutation recommendation re Mary Surratt from Pres Johnson."

I'm a Stanton fan, just read the Thomas & Hyman book earlier this year (which I greatly enjoyed). I learned so much. Eagerly looking forward to your book about him. He was one of those people who, whether you liked him or not, was a remarkable man.

Welcome Walter!