Listen to audiobook in full for free on http://hotaudiobook.com/free Title: Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron, Lincoln's Scandalous Secretary of WarAuthor: Paul KahanNarrator: Michael KazalskiFormat: UnabridgedLength: 9 hrs and 47 minsLanguage: EnglishRelease date: 01-15-18Publisher: University Press AudiobooksGenres: Bios & Memoirs, Political FiguresPublisher's Summary:From abject poverty to undisputed political boss of Pennsylvania, Lincolns secretary of war, senator, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a founder of the Republican Party, Simon Cameron (17991889) was one of the 19th centurys most prominent political figures. In his wake, however, he left a series of questionable political and business dealings and, at the age of 80, even a sex scandal.Far more than a biography of Cameron, Amiable Scoundrel is also a portrait of an era that allowed - indeed, encouraged - a man such as Cameron to seize political control. A key figure in designing and implementing the Unions military strategy during the Civil Wars crucial first year, Cameron played an essential role in pushing Abraham Lincoln to permit the enlistment of African Americans into the US Army, a stance that eventually led to his forced resignation. Yet, his legacy has languished, nearly forgotten save for the fact that his name has become shorthand for corruption, even though no evidence has ever been presented to prove that Cameron was corrupt.Amiable Scoundrel puts Camerons actions into a larger historical context by demonstrating that many politicians of the time, including Abraham Lincoln, used similar tactics to win elections and advance their careers. This study is the fascinating story of Camerons life and an illuminating portrait of his times.Published by University of Nebraska Press."This book is essential for any civil war historian's library." - San Francisco Book Review"A political biography that every Civil War student should read." - Civil War Books and Authors"A thought-provoking biography." - BlueGray MagazineMembers Reviews:CHALLENGES GALORE... CAMERON, SECRETARY OF WAREveryone knows that Simon Cameron was a crooked politician...well, there are many factors that militate against that notion. Paul Kahan brings them all forward in a fact-based, story about the life and times of Lincoln's first Secretary of War. Without getting into the details, Cameron was loyal to his state, his friends and to the Civil War effort. He probably got into trouble by championing the enlistment and deployment of freedmen and runaway slaves. He also was probably the best user of the "spoils system", EVER! And, the challenges he faced moving from a 15,000-man army to a 90,000-man army are unfathomable. And, yet, he was a terrible administrator. Paul Kahan has done an outstanding job of research and storytelling. He's a gem!!CameronI have not read a lot about this man but here the author gives us a captivating story about him. He is more complicated than the short bios I hav read in the past have relayed. Exhaustive research was done for this book and it shows, It is not boring and keesp your interest throughout.An Intelligent Read!Well written and referenced. Gives a great vision of the political arena of the pre- Civil War area; the Lincoln years and the chaos of the post-war years.Five StarsExcellent portrait of an interesting, if lesser known, member of Lincoln's cabinet.Five StarsExcellent book.Contact me for any questions: [email protected]