J. G. Randall
This early political history of Lincoln (1947) is invaluable to 1862. It is a life and times of Lincoln. It sells in detail the political and social forces confronting Lincoln and whether he acted, shifted, remained still or moved by deflection.
The description of 1860-1861 America before the inauguration presents the United States in a time more unsettled than any other time in American history, including today: Attempts by the Democrats (favoring slavery, opposing slavery) to get elected themselves by fouling and goofing the Electoral College (mostly within the state legislatures). There were adamant positions especially in the South where the minority view became the majority position. The anti-Slavery forces in the North were weak.
Politicians attempted to conciliate North and South to no success. In 1860 an appalling Constitutional Amendment obtained two-thirds (2/3) majority in the House and Senate. It would have solved many or all of the South’s problems. It was never added to the Constitution as Number 13 because the War began, and its ratification was forever dropped.
Reading through 1861 (Fort Sumpter adequately described), First Battle of Bull Run (sketchy) and onto the 1862 (few words to Henry, Donelson, and northern Tennessee thus securing Kentucky), the author had to become a military historian. Randall fails.
The story collapses. No one can defend George B. McClellen, except he trained the eastern army and had a disciplined army that needed another general to lead it into battle. In essence George B. was Baron Von Steuben, or a glorified drill sergeant, but no more.
There are many historians to read which tell of military issues form 1862-1865 directing and guiding Lincoln’s political decisions. I recommend this book to early 1862 and stop reading. It is entirely possible that the failure of military history after 1861 is why this book is no longer in print.