Arts Books Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors Michael Giltz Freelance writerGET UPDATES FROM MICHAEL GILTZ Follow Video , Abraham Lincoln , Doris Kearns Goodwin , The Civil War , William Seward , Civil War , Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man , Team Of Rivals , Books News 5 3 0 1React Inspiring Funny Typical Important Outrageous Amazing Innovative BeautifulBooks: William Seward -- The One Man Hated Even More Than Lincoln SEWARD: LINCOLN'S INDISPENSABLE MAN *** 1/2 out of **** BY WALTER STAHR $32.50; Simon & Schuster Anyone who savored author Doris Kearns Goodwin's best-selling book Team Of Rivals will surely be poised to learn more about William Henry Seward, perhaps thekey member of Lincoln's cabinet.</p><p> Writer Walter Stahr(John Jay: Founding Father ) gives Seward his due in this intelligent and illuminating biography of one of themost important political figures of the 19th century andperhaps the only man of his era who could convincingly claim to be even more polarizing and hated than Abraham Lincoln.</p><p> All the rebels in the south who wanted to split the nation in two and destroy the United States forever certainly hated Lincoln.</p><p> But they hated the (in)famous Seward just as much and for far longer.</p><p> Their animosity was joined in heartily by a good chunk of Northerners as well, both the conservatives who thought he was too radical and the radicals who thought he was too appeasing.</p><p> It's not surprising Sewardlost the Republican nomination to Lincoln; it's only surprising how very close he came to winning.</p><p> The book begins with a flash forward to that terrible night when John Wilkes Booth came damnably close in his plan to assassinate both President Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary ofState Seward.</p><p> Then we step back to his childhood and follow Seward chronologically throughout his life -- the son of a prominent but stern local man who went from a small town in upstate New York on to a career as ateacher and then lawyer and public servant.</p><p> Seward is a practical man and right on so many issues we take for granted today that it's easy to admire him.</p><p> Many of his stances ultimately helped Seward politically at certain stages of his career as bothgovernor of New York and Senator.</p><p> But they were not originally popular and almost certainly laid thegroundwork for blocking his most cherished goal of the presidency.</p><p> Seward spoke up for religious freedom, especially for Catholics back in an era when Catholics were despised and distrusted by many.</p><p> Seward was an ardent defender of immigrants.</p><p> Throughout ournation's history, each wave of immigrants has been demonized and feared (often loudest by the wave ofimmigrants that preceded it).</p><p> But Seward consistently recognized immigrants as the lifeblood of thenation.MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST 1 of 2 Mourdock On Abortion: Pregnancy From Rape Is 'Something God Intended' Was The Whole Donald Trump Announcement A Gigantic, Pointless Bust? Coulter Uses Slur Against Obama Louisiana Woman May Have Set Herself On Fire In Dubious Race-Related Attack (UPDATED) FOLLOW USBook Club Libraries In Crisis THE MIDDLESTEINS by Jami Attenberg HUSH HUSH by Steven Barthelme Published on October 23rd, 2012 THERE WAS A COUNTRY by Chinua AchebePublished on October 11th, 2012 THE HEART BROKE IN by James MeekPublished on October 2nd, 2012October 24, 2012 Edition: U.S.</p><p> READ: Our Book Club Discusses 'Catcher In The Rye'Get Breaking News by Email Chip Davis Tavis Smiley James Franco Gov.</p><p> Jennifer M.</p><p> GranholmHOT ON THE BLOG HuffPost Social Reading Like 117 Posted: 09/19/2012 11:53 am SHARE THIS STORY Submit this story Recommend 89k Like 8k Like 38k Recommend 32kWhere I Like To Read NYR The Choice iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More Log in Create AccountHe was also smart on supporting both the Catholic school system (a key player in helping many immigrants and minorities get a leg up in this country), the need for a public school system for all and, ina reversal of himself, an ardent supporter of public works programs like the Erie Canal extension.</p><p> On andon, with issue after issue, Seward proves prescient.</p><p> But, of course, the issue above all in the 1800s wasslavery and the plight of blacks.</p><p> As a lawyer, Seward famously played a key role in several trials, though doing so likely meant the end of his political ambitions.</p><p> Perhaps the most controversial was his defense of William Freeman, a young black man who was released from prison and almost immediately entered a home and slaughtered a family including the husband, the pregnant wife, the wife's elderly mother and their two-year-olddaughter.</p><p> Newspaper accounts blamed the horrific crime in part on Seward's defense of another man named Henry Wyatt, a prisoner in that same prison who stabbed a fellow inmate but whom Seward painted as driven insane by his torture and treatment.</p><p> Ultimately, Wyatt would be executed and Freeman convicted as well, but Seward would be both burdened and rewarded with a reputation as "a defender of the defenseless." On slavery, Seward was seen as almost viciously anti-slavery.</p><p> The truth was that he was a committed abolitionist, but not a radical one.</p><p> His wife was far more unwavering and extremist though, to be clear,Seward even harbored runaway slaves at one point. (He especially despised the fugitive slave laws that forced northerners who objected morally to slavery to support it legally.) Seward saw slavery as doomed to fail and was willing to stop its spread and patiently wait out its dying, helped along perhaps with government aid to slave owners ready to be compensated for the loss of their "property." Nonetheless, Seward was seen as the national figurehead for abolition and was despised by the South as a result.</p><p> Indeed, despite coming tantalizingly close, he lost the nomination to Lincoln primarily because his (relatively more moderate) views were so well known while the less prominent Lincoln hadn't been forced to stake out opinions.</p><p> If nothing else, reading this book will make a laughingstock of the foolish idea that the Civil War wasn't about slavery.</p><p> Incident after incident tore the nation apart, from the forming of newterritories to the slaughter of innocents in raids to the admission of states to fugitive slave laws to warwith Mexico and on and on and on, all of them revolving perilously around the the issue of slavery.</p><p> Entirepolitical parties were formed on the basis of supporting and opposing it.</p><p> Seward would prove a consistentand moderating influence on Lincoln throughout the war, an irony utterly lost on the South.</p><p> Seward's most important role took place after losing the nomination.</p><p> He campaigned tirelessly for Lincoln and Stahr makes a convincing case that Seward's contributions were key to Lincoln winning theWhite House.</p><p> Once ensconced as Secretary of State, Seward grew from initially thinking he could "guide"Lincoln (i.e. have all the power with Lincoln as a figurehead, a rather grandiose absurdity) to admiringLincoln tremendously and aiding him immeasurably, down to careful parsing of major speeches.</p><p> Seward's signal achievement was what didn't happen: through his diligent efforts during crisis after crisis, he soberly and smartly worked to keep foreign powers out of the war and to never officially recognize theConfederate States o America as a sovereign country.</p><p> If that had happened -- if England or France inparticular had sided with the South -- the United States likely would never have triumphed.</p><p> This perspective allows Stahr to train a fresh perspective on the Civil War.</p><p> But Seward's work wasn't done.</p><p> He endured the frustrating tenure of Johnson, who invariably and frustratingly ignored most of Seward's moderating suggestions.</p><p> But Seward did manage to expand the nation, primarily through the purchase of Alaska, an act dubbed "Seward's folly" much later (at the time, it was lauded in the press)and ultimately seen as a smart buy.</p><p> Garrulous, charming, poorly dressed, prone to flattery, stooping to buy votes and political favor in the manner of the time but not notably corrupt in his dealings, Seward could be tiresomely pleased with himself.</p><p> But as Stahr's biography so ably demonstrates, he had every reason to be.</p><p> He wasn't just Lincoln's indispensable man; throughout his career Seward was an indispensable man to the nation, aswell.</p><p> Here's the trailer to Steven Spielberg's upcoming film Lincoln .</p><p> You can glimpse actor David Strathairn portraying Seward.</p><p> BOOKS I'VE READ SO FAR IN 20121.</p><p> The Underneath by Kathi Appelt *** Another Day In Polls, Still Neck-And-Neck 'Grey's Anatomy' Sneak Peek: Cristina's New 'Sex Friend,' Jackson's Lady Troubles & More WATCH: Vivica A.</p><p> Fox SLAMS Stacey Dash's Romney Endorsement Allred Goes To Court Over Mitt Romney Divorce Testimony Former Navy Secretary Sides With Obama On Ships DON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS 1 of 5 Chip Davis Halloween Is a Night Like No Other Tavis Smiley The Top 20 (Cause 10 Ain’t Enough) Reasons (Excuses) Black Folk Will Give if Obama Loses MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW 1 of 2 HOT ON FACEBOOK 1 of 3 HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES Katy Perry Video San Francisco Around Town Sharks Marijuana House Of Buy a link here Sponsored Links New York Homeowners 62 + may qualify to receive Gov. cash for the equity in there home www.senioradvisorycenter.com Are You 62 + & Homeowner? You may be into some money with a newgovernment program. www.iconsumerknowledge.com New Policy in New York 2012-Drivers w/ no DUIs eligible for up to 50% off carinsurance...</p><p> TheFinanceAuthority.comLike 192 Like 5k Like 1k Recommend 1k Like 17k Underwater Dogs PHOTOS: 9 Invasive Species You Can Eat Shakespeare's Syphilis And 9 Other Author Ailments The Books That Lost Taschen Millions Of Dollars 2.</p><p> Jack Holmes and His Friend by Edmund White *** 3.</p><p> The Last Unicorn by Peter S.</p><p> Beagle **4.</p><p> Fun Home by Alison Bechdel *** 5.</p><p> Death Walks In Eastrepp by Francis Beeding *** 6.</p><p> Lumious Airplanes by Paul La Farge ***/ 7.</p><p> The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen ** 1/28.</p><p> Unterzakhn by Leela Corman ** 9.</p><p> The Child Who by Simon Lelic *** 10.</p><p> Hinterland by Caroline Brothers ***11.</p><p> The Yard by Alex Grecian *** 1/212.</p><p> The Alienist by Caleb Carr ***13.</p><p> On The Wings Of Heroes by Richard Peck *** 1/214.</p><p> A Princess Of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs *15.</p><p> The Gods Of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs ** 16.</p><p> The Warlord Of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs ** 1/2 17.</p><p> Undefeated: America's Heroic Fight For Bataan and Corregidor by Bill Sloan ** 1/218.</p><p> Stoner by John Williams ****19.</p><p> The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt *** 1/220.</p><p> The 500 by Matthew Quirk **21.</p><p> The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton **** 22.</p><p> The Alienist by Caleb Carr ***\ 23.</p><p> Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi **24.</p><p> Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household *** 25.</p><p> The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky ** 26.</p><p> Traitor's Gate by Avi ** 1/2 27.</p><p> Cogan's Trade by George V.</p><p> Higgins *** 28. 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson *** 1/2 29.</p><p> The Twelve Rooms Of The Nile by Enid Shomer *** 30.</p><p> Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel *** 1/2 31.</p><p> In One Person by John Irving **32.</p><p> A Million Heavens by John Brandon ***33.</p><p> The Case Of The Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall ***34.</p><p> Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man by Walter Stahr *** 1/235.</p><p> The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow ***36.</p><p> The Case of The Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall *** 37.</p><p> Savages by Don Winslow *** 38.</p><p> The Case Of The Man Who Died Laughing by Tarquin Hall *** 39.</p><p> The Trillion Dollar Meltdown by Charles R.</p><p> Morris *** 40.</p><p> Mrs.</p><p> Robinson's Disgrace by Kate Summerscale **41.</p><p> The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker **42.</p><p> The Panic of 1907 by Robert F.</p><p> Bruner and Sean Carr ***43.</p><p> The House That Ruth Built by Robert Weintraub *** 1/2 44.</p><p> I Am Spartacus: Making A Film, Breaking The Blacklist by Kirk Douglas *** 1/2 45.</p><p> Showdown At Shepherd's Bush by David Davis ***46.</p><p> Alif The Unseen by G.</p><p> Willow Wilson ** 1/247.</p><p> The Last Lion: Winston Churchill Alone -- 1932-1940 by William Manchester ****48.</p><p> City Of Women by David R.</p><p> Gillham ** 1/249.</p><p> The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech ** 1/2 50.</p><p> Bright Island by Mabel L.</p><p> Robinson *** 51.</p><p> Live By Night by Dennis Lehane ** 1/2 or *** 52.</p><p> Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller ** 53.</p><p> Mr.</p><p> Churchill's Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal **54.</p><p> Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Ella MacNeal **55.</p><p> Elsewhere: A Memoir by Richard Russo ** 1/256.</p><p> The Malice Of Fortune by Michael Ennis **57.</p><p> Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks *** 1/2 58.</p><p> Garment Of Shadows by Laurie R.</p><p> King ** 1/2 59.</p><p> Making "Tootsie" by Susan Dworkin * 1/260. 38 Nooses by Scott W.</p><p> Berg ***61.</p><p> John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk ***62.</p><p> What's Left Of Me: The Hybrid Chronicles Book One by Kat Zhang *** 1/263.</p><p> A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks ***64.</p><p> Dead Cat Bounce by Nic Bennett ** 1/2 65.</p><p> Emily And Jackson Hiding Out by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor ** Thanks for reading.</p><p> Michael Giltz is the co-host of Showbiz Sandbox , a weekly pop culture podcast that reveals the industry take on entertainment news of the day and features top journalists and opinion makers as guests.</p><p> It's available for free on iTunes.</p><p> Visit Michael Giltz at his website and his daily blog.</p><p> Download his podcast of celebrity interviews and his radio show, also called Popsurfing and also available for free on iTunes.</p><p> Link to him on Netflix and gain access to thousands of ratings and reviews.</p><p> Note : Michael Giltz is provided with free galleys and/or final copies of books to consider for review.</p><p> Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltzRepresentatives California Elections Gay Rights Death Penalty MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »FOLLOW BOOKS 9 Invasive Species You Can Eat (PHOTOS) 10 Writers' Mental And Physical Maladies TASCHEN's Biggest Losers Are Self-Publishing Authors Killing the Publishing Industry? 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Learn 3 Questions That Will Spark Any Woman’s Interest.</p><p> Click Here! 3QuestionsGetTheGirl.com Shocking Tip From Famous Dr.</p><p> New York: Celebrity Doctor Uncovers 1 Simple Trick To Burn Fat Fast.</p><p> LiveHealthyDigest.com Boost Testosterone Levels Men over 40 are seeing shocking boosts in free testosterone with this www.nugenix.com Weird Loophole in New York Long Island City - New trick helps drivers get car insurance for as low as $9… FinanceDigestToday.com More in Books... 09:42 PM on 09/19/2012 More and more we seem to yearn for statesmen.</p><p> Our history books are filled with them, with Secretary Seward among the top of the list of greats.</p><p> This is indeed a marvelous book, and much needed.</p><p> But it also reminds us that we have today a lack of statesmen.</p><p> Sure, Seward was partisan, but when necessary put nation ahead of party.Today our officials only put party ahead of nation and the people.</p><p> Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | About Our Ads | Contact Us Copyright © 2012 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.</p><p> All rights reserved.</p><p> Part of AOL Lifestyle Recency | Popularity HUFFPOST SUPER USER D J R Independent voter in a mixed up political world...</p><p> Permalink | Share it Like 22k GET ALERTS Comments 1 Pending Comments 0 View FAQ Post Comment Preview Comment Post to Facebook.</p><p> Post to Blogger.</p><p> Post to Twitter.</p><p> Post to WordPress.</p><p> Post to TypePad.</p><p> Post to Tumblr.To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directlyunderneath the comment you replied to.</p><p> Share your Comment: View All 49 Fans
