Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Chapter 1. The Presidential Difference in the Civil War Era 1
4. Chapter 2. The Policy- Driven Political Style of James K. Polk 13
5. Chapter 3. The Rough and Ready Leadership of Zachary Taylor 29
6. Chapter 4. Millard Fillmore and the Compromise of 1850 43
7. Chapter 5. Franklin Pierce and the Kansas- Nebraska Act 57
8. Chapter 6. The Disastrous Presidency of James Buchanan 75
9. Chapter 7. Abraham Lincoln: Consummate Leader 93
10. Chapter 8. What Difference Did the President Make? 111
11. Appendix. Background on the Civil War Era Presidents 127
12. Notes 147
13. Further Reading 159
14. Acknowledgments 171
15. Index 173