Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian (Civil War America) [Hardcover]

Hans Louis Trefousse (Author)

Book Description

Series: Civil War America | Publication Date: June 1997

Thaddeus Stevens is best known for his leadership of the radical Republicans in Congress during Reconstruction, and throughout the years historians have either glorified him or vilified him. Trefousse's balanced biography traces Stevens's career from his early days as a Pennsylvania lawyer and state legislator, when he became an outspoken advocate for black freedom and equality, to his long tenure in the House of Representatives, which culminated in his involvement in the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment and the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

History and historians have not been particularly kind to Thaddeus Stevens, Congressional leader of the Radical Republicans during Reconstruction. Despite a career as a distinguished attorney, Pennsylvania legislator, and entrepreneur, Stevens is remembered more for his desire to punish the former Confederate states before readmitting then to the Union. But the Stevens presented by Trefousse (Historical Dictionary of Reconstruction, Greenwood, 1991) is more of an egalitarian, a great orator, and a staunch opponent of slavery. He was, however, often unsuccessful in achieving his national goals and personal aspirations. Almost 50 years have passed since the last Stevens biography (Fawn Brodie's Thaddeus Stevens: Scourge of the South, LJ 10/15/59), making Trefousse's work an especially valuable addition to Civil War literature. This is now the definitive work on the Stevens. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

"Thaddeus Stevens has long deserved a discerning, fair-minded, knowledgeable, meticulous biographer; he has finally found him." -James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080782335X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807823354
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,847,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian, January 18, 2000

By 

ross hetrick - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian (Civil War America) (Hardcover)

Hans Trefousse has done a magnificent job in portraying the "Great Commoner" and his effect on the United States. In fact, the book inspired myself and some other people in Gettysburg to start the Thaddeus Stevens Society to promote his memory. For information about the society, write The Thaddeus Stevens Society, 65 W. Middle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or email me at [e-mail].

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thaddeus Stevens: Complex Man for Comples Times, November 29, 1999

By 

gloria preston (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian (Civil War America) (Hardcover)

I want to thank Hans L Tredousse for a remarkable job on the unfolding of the character of one of the most complex individuals I have ever studied. Trefousse does a great job of showing us as much of what is humanly possible to know about Thaddeus Stevens.

By far, Stevens comes alive in the preface of Trefousse'account. The reader is pulled gently into the life of this individal because of the hardships he experienced as a child and because of his determination to see justice prevailed.

As I progressed into the book, I marvelled at both the strengths and weaknesses of this complex man called Thaddeus Stevens. Personally, I think he was a man before his times. It is unfortunate that he considered himself a failure. We have had many presidents in recent years who could not or would not acknowledge that they had achieved anything of "real tangible worth". Stevens comes to the end of life feeling that he had achieved very little of lasting value. It is truly worth lamenting! If Stevens could come back to this century, I think he would be astonished to see what legacy he left the United States and particular minorities who have benefitted much from his efforts to support emancipation and a true Reconstruction for those who had suffered because of slavery.

I was first introduced to Thaddeus Stevens in Lerone Bennett's BEFORE THE MAYFLOWER. I found Stevens to be the underdog, but an all powerful hero for the rights of equality. I think the second best thing to having enjoyed Trefousse' outling the work of Stevens would be to see the book made into historical fiction. Somewhere out there in "fantasy land" is an actor who could bring more to "life" this complex man called Thaddeus Stevens

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About Time! A Solid Biography of Thaddeus Stevens, November 22, 1999

By 

S. Jones (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thaddeus Stevens: Nineteenth-Century Egalitarian (Civil War America) (Hardcover)

Thaddeus Stevens casts a long shadow in American History; a shadow that continues to bedevil the likes of Robert Bork, Anton Scalia and the so-called "original intent" crowd.

Stevens, the tactical leader of the "radical Republicans" through the Civil War and Reconstruction era stands probably second to only James Madison in Constitutional history.

Considering his historical role a thorough biography has been long overdue. Trefousse has gone a long way toward supplying a fresh biography of the man. In its pages he has applied the extensive depth of modern scholarship now available on the reconstruction era.

Only Fawne Brodie has attempted a biography in recent times and that book, Thaddeus Stevens: Scourge of the South has slid thankfully out of print.

The Trefousse biography will likely be the standard source on the life of "the old Commoner" for some decades to come.