About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherFree Press

ISBN-101416569839

ISBN-139781416569831

eBay Product ID (ePID)111312357

Product Key Features

Book TitleLincoln's Code : the Laws of War in American History

Number of Pages512 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2012

TopicMilitary / General, Military / United States, United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877), Presidents & Heads of State, Military

IllustratorYes

GenreLaw, Biography & Autobiography, History

AuthorJohn Fabian Witt

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.6 in

Item Weight26.3 Oz

Item Length9.2 in

Item Width6.1 in

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Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2012-006187

Reviews"A gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of war-from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limits forbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader." -Charles Fried, author, with Gregory Fried, of Because It Is Wrong: Torture, Privacy and Presidential Power in the Age of Terror, Exhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincoln's Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterized military conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of the Lieber Code on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, and Lieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity., Magnificent . . . Lincoln's Code is both a celebratory chronicle of American lawmaking and a gruesome record of American wartime cruelty. . . . This monumental book, resting on colossal archival research and packed with memorable stories and arguments, is a major contribution to making sense of ours., "If there was ever a time for this book, it is now. As the war on terror continues unabated and controversy continues over the use of military commissions, detention, interrogation, due process and civil liberties, this extraordinary and well written account about the laws of war in America is a primer and road map for our citizens and those who are, or should be, trying to comprehend and prepare the legal and military processes for all present and future." -Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice (ret.), Supreme Court of R.I. and founding Chair, The Lincoln Forum, eoeAs bitter disputes still fester about how far Americans should submit to international legal rules, John Fabian Witt offers a dispassionate historical perspective and an insightful truth. From the beginning, Witt shows, America has proclaimed moral rules and deployed military force, no more paradoxically in combination than during our Civil War, in which Francis Lieber first codified the law of war for the world. Witt's book is deeply researched and beautifully written: an indispensable masterpiece for anyone who cares about how America's past bears on our present and future.e e"Samuel Moyn, Columbia University, author of The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History, eoeExhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincolne(tm)s Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterizedmilitary conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of theLieberCode on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, andLieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity.e, eoeA gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of ware"from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limitsforbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader.e e"Charles Fried, author, with Gregory Fried, of Because It Is Wrong: Torture, Privacy and Presidential Power in the Age of Terror, "[W]ell-written and fascinating . . . . The value of Witte(tm)s account is that it shows how the answer to [where we draw lines] has changed over the centuriese"and how, whether in the Civil War or the War on Terror, our political leaders have struggled to reconcile the sometimes competing demands of humanitarianism and justice.", "In this splendid and readable narrative, John Fabian Witt shows how Americans from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln argued, and sometimes agonized, over the elusive and indistinct boundary between the legitimate application of military force on behalf of the nation and crimes against humanity. Here is an original and important synthesis that helps illuminate our nation's moral and political underpinnings, and establishes a context for modern considerations of the laws of war." -Craig L. Symonds, author of Lincoln and His Admirals and winner of the Lincoln Prize, "[W]ell-written and fascinating . . . . The value of Witt's account is that it shows how the answer to [where we draw lines] has changed over the centuries-and how, whether in the Civil War or the War on Terror, our political leaders have struggled to reconcile the sometimes competing demands of humanitarianism and justice." - Max Boot, Commentary Magazine, "As bitter disputes still fester about how far Americans should submit to international legal rules, John Fabian Witt offers a dispassionate historical perspective and an insightful truth. From the beginning, Witt shows, America has proclaimed moral rules and deployed military force, no more paradoxically in combination than during our Civil War, in which Francis Lieber first codified the law of war for the world. Witt's book is deeply researched and beautifully written: an indispensable masterpiece for anyone who cares about how America's past bears on our present and future." --Samuel Moyn, Columbia University, author of The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History, [A] significant work. . . . Witt establishes and supports a provocative case that the [law of war] reflects two competing, fundamental American ideals: humanitarianism and justice., eoeIn this splendid and readable narrative, John Fabian Witt shows how Americans from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln argued, and sometimes agonized, over the elusive and indistinct boundary between the legitimate application of military force on behalf of the nation and crimes against humanity. Here is an original and important synthesis that helps illuminate our natione(tm)s moral and political underpinnings, and establishes a context for modern considerations of the laws of war.e e"Craig L. Symonds, author of Lincoln and His Admirals and winner of the Lincoln Prize, [W]ell-written and fascinating . . . . The value of Witt's account is that it shows how the answer to [where we draw lines] has changed over the centuries--and how, whether in the Civil War or the War on Terror, our political leaders have struggled to reconcile the sometimes competing demands of humanitarianism and justice., [ Lincoln's Code ] will please Civil War buffs, legal and military historians, and international lawyers alike. Witt's research on letters, drafts, and other documents written by Lieber and the other major figures is impressive, and he presents it lucidly, fairly, and comprehensively, enabling the reader to draw his own conclusions., "Exhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincoln's Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterizedmilitary conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of the Lieber Code on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, and Lieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity." - William C. Davis, History Book of the Month Club, eoe[A]magnificentnew book . . . thrilling . . . . This monumental book, resting on colossal archival research and packed with memorable stories and arguments, is a major contribution.e, " Lincoln's Code is a rich, subtle, and honest book that uncovers the deep impact of the laws of war in American history. It is chock full of truly novel insights. I learned a ton from it and will continue to learn a ton on rereading. It is a great book, one that will last forever." -Jack Goldsmith, Harvard University, author of Power and Constraint: The Accountable Presidency After 9/11, [A]magnificentnew book . . . thrilling . . . . This monumental book, resting on colossal archival research and packed with memorable stories and arguments, is a major contribution., "A gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of war-from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limits forbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader." -Charles Fried, author, with Gregory Fried, of Because It Is Wrong and Torture, Privacy and Presidential Power in the Age of Terror, " Lincoln's Code is a rich, subtle, and honest book that uncovers the deep impact of the laws of war in American history. It is chock full of truly novel insights. I learned a ton from it and will continue to learn a ton on rereading. It is a great book, one that will last forever." --Jack Goldsmith, Harvard University, author of Power and Constraint: The Accountable Presidency After 9/11, Exhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincoln's Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterizedmilitary conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of theLieberCode on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, andLieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity., "As bitter disputes still fester about how far Americans should submit to international legal rules, John Fabian Witt offers a dispassionate historical perspective and an insightful truth. From the beginning, Witt shows, America has proclaimed moral rules and deployed military force, no more paradoxically in combination than during our Civil War, in which Francis Lieber first codified the law of war for the world. Witt's book is deeply researched and beautifully written: an indispensable masterpiece for anyone who cares about how the America's past bears on our present and future." -Samuel Moyn, Columbia University, author of The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History, Artfully mixing law, history, and sharp analysis, [Witt] examines the persistent struggle to reconcile justice and humanitarianism in America's conduct of war... Truly remarkable, composed with all the precision and insight you expect from a law professor, marked by all the elegance and sparkling readability you don't., "If there was ever a time for this book, it is now. As the war on terror continues unabated and controversy continues over the use of military commissions, detention, interrogation, due process and civil liberties, this extraordinary and well written account about the laws of war in America is a primer and road map for our citizens and those who are, or should be, trying to comprehend and prepare the legal and military processes for all present and future." --Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice (ret.), Supreme Court of R.I. and founding Chair, The Lincoln Forum, eoeIf there was ever a time for this book, it is now. As the war on terror continues unabated and controversy continues over the use of military commissions, detention, interrogation, due process and civil liberties, this extraordinary and well written account about the laws of war in America is a primer and road map for our citizens and those who are, or should be, trying to comprehend and prepare the legal and military processes for all present and future.e e"Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice (ret.), Supreme Court of R.I. and founding Chair, The Lincoln Forum, [ Lincoln's Code ] will please Civil War buffs, legal and military historians, and international lawyers alike. Witt's research on letters, drafts, and other documents written by Lieberand the other major figures is impressive, and he presents it lucidly, fairly, and comprehensively, enabling the reader to draw his own conclusions., " Lincoln's Code is a rich, subtle, and honest book that uncovers the deep impact of the laws of war in American history. It is chock full of truly novel insights. I learned a ton from it and will continue to learn a ton on rereading. It is a great book, one that will last forever." --Jack Goldsmith, Harvard University, author of Power and Constraint: The Accountable Presidency After 9/11, "As bitter disputes still fester about how far Americans should submit to international legal rules, John Fabian Witt offers a dispassionate historical perspective and an insightful truth. From the beginning, Witt shows, America has proclaimed moral rules and deployed military force, no more paradoxically in combination than during our Civil War, in which Francis Lieber first codified the law of war for the world. Witt's book is deeply researched and beautifully written: an indispensable masterpiece for anyone who cares about how America's past bears on our present and future." -Samuel Moyn, Columbia University, author of The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History, [ Lincoln's Code ] will please Civil War buffs, legal and military historians, and international lawyers alike. Witt's research on letters, drafts, and other documents written by Lieber and the other major figures is impressive, and he presents it lucidly, fairly, and comprehensively, enabling the reader to draw his own conclusions., "A gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of war--from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limits forbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader." --Charles Fried, author, with Gregory Fried, of Because It Is Wrong: Torture, Privacy and Presidential Power in the Age of Terror, Exhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincoln's Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterized military conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of the Lieber Code on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, and Lieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity., "[ Lincoln's Code ] will please Civil War buffs, legal and military historians, and international lawyers alike. Witt's research on letters, drafts, and other documents written by Lieber and the other major figures is impressive, and he presents it lucidly, fairly, and comprehensively, enabling the reader to draw his own conclusions." - Eric Posner, Slate, [A] magnificent new book . . . thrilling . . . . This monumental book, resting on colossal archival research and packed with memorable stories and arguments, is a major contribution., eoe[ Lincolne(tm)s Code ] will please Civil War buffs, legal and military historians, and international lawyers alike. Witte(tm)s research on letters, drafts, and other documents written by Lieberand the other major figures is impressive, and he presents it lucidly, fairly, and comprehensively, enabling the reader to draw his own conclusions.e, [A] magnificent new book . . . thrilling . . . . This monumental book, resting on colossal archival research and packed with memorable stories and arguments, is a major contribution., A gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of war-from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limits forbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader., "A gripping narrative of the struggle to maintain the aspiration to honor, decency and common humanity amidst the brutal imperatives of war--from our war for independence, through the Civil War to the suppression of the insurrection in the Philippines. At the center John Witt places the first code for the conduct of war, promulgated by Lincoln during the darkest days of the Civil War: harsh, relentless, realistic, yet placing firm limitsforbidding torture, the abuse of prisoners, treachery and purposeful harm to civilians. This book is an important addition to the ever-growing monument to our greatest and most complex national leader." --Charles Fried, author, with Gregory Fried, of Because It Is Wrong: Torture, Privacy and Presidential Power in the Age of Terror, Pulitzer Prize Finalist Bancroft Prize Winner ABA Silver Gavel Award Winner Scribes Book Award Winner William Hurst Book Prize Winner A New York Times Notable Book of the Year Kirkus Reviews Top 25 Nonfiction of the Year, [W]ell-written and fascinating . . . . The value of Witt's account is that it shows how the answer to [where we draw lines] has changed over the centuries-and how, whether in the Civil War or the War on Terror, our political leaders have struggled to reconcile the sometimes competing demands of humanitarianism and justice., [A] sweeping history of American engagement with the idea that the brutality of war should be constrained by humanitarian rules., "In this splendid and readable narrative, John Fabian Witt shows how Americans from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln argued, and sometimes agonized, over the elusive and indistinct boundary between the legitimate application of military force on behalf of the nation and crimes against humanity. Here is an original and important synthesis that helps illuminate our nation's moral and political underpinnings, and establishes a context for modern considerations of the laws of war." --Craig L. Symonds, author of Lincoln and His Admirals and winner of the Lincoln Prize, Exhaustive, authoritative, written with drama and flair, Lincoln's Code is a remarkable work about remarkable men. Witt examines the attitudes and actions that characterizedmilitary conduct prior to the Civil War, and then traces the impact of the Lieber Code on world affairs in the century and more that followed, all demonstrating what a genuinely unique and revolutionary act it was for Lincoln, his war leaders, and Lieber, to rise above their temporal conflict by attempting to make some sense out of chaos, and some humanity from inhumanity., [W]ell-written and fascinating . . . . The value of Witt's account is that it shows how the answer to [where we draw lines] has changed over the centuries--and how, whether in the Civil War or the War on Terror, our political leaders have struggled to reconcile the sometimes competing demands of humanitarianism and justice., eoe Lincolne(tm)s Code is a rich, subtle, and honest book that uncovers the deep impact of the laws of war in American history. It is chock full of truly novel insights. I learned a ton from it and will continue to learn a ton on rereading. It is a great book, one that will last forever." e"Jack Goldsmith, Harvard University, author of Power and Constraint: The Accountable Presidency After 9/11, "In this splendid and readable narrative, John Fabian Witt shows how Americans from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln argued, and sometimes agonized, over the elusive and indistinct boundary between the legitimate application of military force on behalf of the nation and crimes against humanity. Here is an original and important synthesis that helps illuminate our nation's moral and political underpinnings, and establishes a context for modern considerations of the laws of war." --Craig L. Symonds, author of Lincoln and His Admirals and winner of the Lincoln Prize

Dewey Edition23

Dewey Decimal343.73/01

SynopsisPulitzer Prize Finalist Bancroft Prize Winner ABA Silver Gavel Award Winner A New York Times Notable Book of the Year In the closing days of 1862, just three weeks before Emancipation, the administration of Abraham Lincoln commissioned a code setting forth the laws of war for US armies. It announced standards of conduct in wartime--concerning torture, prisoners of war, civilians, spies, and slaves--that shaped the course of the Civil War. By the twentieth century, Lincoln's code would be incorporated into the Geneva Conventions and form the basis of a new international law of war. In this deeply original book, John Fabian Witt tells the fascinating history of the laws of war and its eminent cast of characters--Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Lincoln--as they crafted the articles that would change the course of world history. Witt's engrossing exploration of the dilemmas at the heart of the laws of war is a prehistory of our own era. Lincoln's Code reveals that the heated controversies of twenty-first-century warfare have roots going back to the beginnings of American history. It is a compelling story of ideals under pressure and a landmark contribution to our understanding of the American experience., Pulitzer Prize Finalist Bancroft Prize Winner ABA Silver Gavel Award Winner A New York Times Notable Book of the Year In the closing days of 1862, just three weeks before Emancipation, the administration of Abraham Lincoln commissioned a code setting forth the laws of war for US armies. It announced standards of conduct in wartime-concerning torture, prisoners of war, civilians, spies, and slaves-that shaped the course of the Civil War. By the twentieth century, Lincoln's code would be incorporated into the Geneva Conventions and form the basis of a new international law of war. In this deeply original book, John Fabian Witt tells the fascinating history of the laws of war and its eminent cast of characters-Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Lincoln-as they crafted the articles that would change the course of world history. Witt's engrossing exploration of the dilemmas at the heart of the laws of war is a prehistory of our own era. Lincoln's Code reveals that the heated controversies of twenty-first-century warfare have roots going back to the beginnings of American history. It is a compelling story of ideals under pressure and a landmark contribution to our understanding of the American experience.

LC Classification NumberKF7210.W58 2012

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Lincoln's Code : The Laws of War in American History by John Fabian Witt (2012, Hardcover)

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