I really liked this book. There are so many Civil War histories in the marketplace that it is rare to read something that feels fresh. The author did a great job presenting facts (some known, some new to me) in an engaging way. I especially enjoyed the author's prose, and his ability to make connections among seemingly disparate timelines, ideas and impacts across many generations.

Very informative and well thought out historical non-fiction. VERY applicable for our current events and a realization that even 100+ years later we, as a country, really are still arguing about the same issues.

Midnight on the Potomac is a very good read. The book started a little slowly but the pace quickened and ended very strong. Scott Ellsworth has focused on the last year of the Civil War--and a tumultuous year it was.

The book details the efforts by the Confederacy to continue a fight they were doomed to lose, with several major battles highlighted: the fall and burning of Atlanta, the siege of Petersburg, and Sherman's march to Savannah. Against this background is the conspiracy to first kidnap, and then eventually assassinate Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his band of terrorists. Insights into Lincoln, his thoughts, and interactions with his family during the year are also appreciated.

The book contains a lot of details I had not read in other books on the Civil War. This adds to the narrative. The final chapters, leading up to the surrender at Appomattox and the visit to Ford's theater and aftermath provide a strong finish to the book.

If you enjoy books about the Civil War this should be part of your reading list. I give the book a 4.25 rating, rounded to 4 stars.

I want to thank author Scott Elsworth, Publisher Dutton, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. I attest the review is my own unbiased work.

Midnight on the Potomac does a wonderful job of encapsulating the last year of The Civil War. Author, Scott Ellsworth, closely follows a multitude of key events, including the crucial Battle of the Wilderness, the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Lee's reelection and the story of John Wilkes Booth. In this relentlessly researched book, Ellsworth brings new information to light.

My only criticism of the book is that the author seems to be working a bit too hard to dispel the narrative of the Lost Cause narrative. It's one thing to take issue with a long-held narrative. But the author's position felt like it was almost a crusade to dispel the narrative. A telling of history needs to be a balanced process. As with virtually everything, there are always two sides to a story.. In my humble opinion, he went too far in the other direction in his criticism of this perspective. It just felt a bit too unbalanced in my personal opinion.

But other than that, I totally enjoyed this book.

I was so excited when I received this ARC, and I was not disappointed. This was so well written that I couldn't put it down. I am a history buff, and I was so engrossed by the retelling of such a dark time in our history. The author did an amazing job with the way he presented the material. It was heartbreaking but gave you hope at the same time. This novel was well researched and revealed new information that has not been revealed about the Civil War and the Emancipation. I highly recommend this book for history lovers. I am planning on buying the physical copy when it releases in July of 2025.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Penguin Random House!