Overview

A rich documentary story of premier Union leader, ""War Governor"" Austin Blair, told largely in his own words and contextualized with key annotations. Statesman Austin Blair championed human rights in America, cherished the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and made major contributions to Union victory in the Civil War. Believing strongly that secession is treason, he supported emancipation and the use of the North's military power to defeat the slave owners' rebellion. Labeled a ""radical"" by political opponents, Blair's vision of a nation of equal opportunity and civil rights for all people marked him as a leader ahead of his time. A rich, well-researched documentary history of a prominent Union leader, this first of two volumes reveals a ""War Governor"" largely in his own words through the end of the Civil War. Key annotations help contextualize the speeches and public remarks of a charismatic statesman whose devotion to duty left him financially destitute upon leaving office. Edited by a former assistant attorney general with firsthand experience in government workings, the book makes a major contribution to understanding federal-state relations during an epoch that forever changed the course of America's future.

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9781965278550

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Reviews

Radical of Radicals: Austin Blair: Civil War Governor-In His Own Words is an essential work that brings to light the extraordinary leadership and vision of Michigan's ""War Governor."" Blair's commitment to emancipation and equality, paired with his unyielding support for the Union cause, exemplifies the spirit of Jackson, the city that shaped his political rise. This volume preserves his legacy for future generations, offering a profound insight into the man whose radical convictions helped define both Michigan's and America's path to justice and freedom. A must-read for those seeking to understand the Civil War's impact on the Wolverine State and beyond. -Maurice Imhoff, president, Jackson County Michigan Historical Society Once again, the Michigan Civil War Association (MCWA) has performed an exemplary service by publishing an annotated collection of important primary sources, the works of Michigan's Civil War governor, Austin Blair. The MCWA's work ensures that Blair's contributions to ending slavery and preserving the Union remain accessible and appreciated. -Tom M. George, MD, former state senator and past president of the Historical Society of Michigan Austin Blair was a gifted public servant who stood with President Lincoln in the heroic task to save the Union. As Lincoln guided the nation, so Governor Blair guided Michigan. A retrospective on Michigan's Civil War governor is overdue. Kudos to Jack Dempsey for opening that door using Governor Blair's own words. -Cameron S. Brown, president of the Kalamazoo Abraham Lincoln Institute and former Michigan state senator We all know how President Lincoln ended slavery, but most Michiganders probably have no idea that our state's Civil War governor was a radical who fought for not only emancipation but also women's suffrage, racial equality for Black Americans, and abolishing the death penalty. This volume does a real service to his legacy. -Maria Taylor, former editor, Michigan History magazine Civil War governor Austin Blair is barely remembered today. A remarkable man, he was the right person in the right place at the right time. His loyal support was critical to the preservation of the Union. The Michigan Civil War Association deserves praise for its treatment of one of the most beloved and effective leaders Michigan ever produced. -Kerry Chartkoff, emeritus Michigan state capitol historian

Author Information

Editor Jack Dempsey is an award-winning author of works on the Civil War, cultural heritage, and Michigan history hailed as ""the popular voice of history in Michigan."" Born in Detroit, a graduate of James Madison College, Michigan State University, and George Washington University National Law Center, he was first fascinated by the Civil War in the third grade. A family photo portrays him at age three perched on Stonewall Jackson's statue at Manassas. Chairman of Michigan's Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, vice-president and president of the Michigan Historical Commission from 2007 to 2018, and board member of several heritage-focused nonprofit organizations, Dempsey's leadership aided preservation of Michigan's heritage-and continues to do so as a writer with ten books and numerous articles under his byline. His presentations on C-SPAN, public radio, and podcasts, and to university classes, historical societies, scholarly conferences, and Civil War roundtables have been highly praised. A resident of Plymouth, Michigan, he is a member of the Society of Civil War Historians, Society for Women and the Civil War, Society of Midland Authors, and Military Writers Society of America. The Michigan Civil War Association (MCWA) is a Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation engaged in pursuit of cultural, historical, and economic development opportunities to preserve and promote the history of Michigan's role in the American Civil War. Proceeds from this volume support the MCWA in raising funds to erect a monument honoring Michigan's contributions to victory and to emancipation at the Battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.

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