“This highly readable biography, based on thorough research in original sources, effectively shows that Seward deserves more fame as a patriot-statesman than he has traditionally enjoyed.”

—The Wall Street Journal

About Walter

After more than two decades as a lawyer, Walter Stahr started writing books about American leaders. His biographies of John Jay, William Henry Seward and Edwin Stanton have earned praise and awards, and he is now at work on Salmon Chase, antislavery activist, treasury secretary and chief justice.

Full Bio

Also by Walter Stahr

Praise for Walter

“Walter Stahr writes with great insight, and this wonderful book should restore Jay’s place in the pantheon of our great Founding Fathers.”

—Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

(John Jay)

“This magnificent biography finally provides what William Henry Seward so justly deserves – a full, terrific and complex portrait of his endlessly fascinating life.”

—Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer prize winning author of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

(Seward)

“…fair-minded, rigorous, and scrupulously honest... Stanton is thus a welcome and significant addition to the ample literature on the Civil War and Reconstruction.”

—Ron Chernow, author of The New York Times Bestseller Alexander Hamilton

(Stanton)

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Interview by Brian Lamb on C-SPAN’s Q&A Show
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In Praise of Vacations

Masami and I have just returned from a wonderful week-long vacation in the San Juan Islands. The purpose of this blog post is to argue that people should take vacations, even during the pandemic, perhaps especially during the pandemic. First, however, I need to explain about a Backroads vacation, why we love Backroads so much.…

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