The Civil War was the deadliest struggle in American history. More Americans died in that conflict than in all other American Wars combined. By the time President Abraham Lincoln took office, a peaceful solution was impossible, and so Lincoln became the military leader of the United States from day one of his tenure. Abraham Lincoln: Warrior-in-Chief - 1861: Assuming Command, which is the first in a series on Lincoln's actions as a warrior President, covers Lincoln's military decisions in 1861 as they are related in his official papers. More importantly, this book reveals much about Lincoln on the human level. It illustrates his singleness of purpose, his stubbornness, his ruthlessness and his ability to act diplomatically without compromising his determination to keep the Union together at any cost. Some of that cost included sending American soldiers to kill and to be killed, taking political prisoners and holding them without charges, and empowering the military to usurp civil authority. It also illustrates Lincoln's ability to think clearly while under greater stress than most of us can imagine.