A War of Words The Rhetorical Leadership of Jefferson Davis

Atchison . . . reviews the possible role Jefferson Davis played in the failure of the Confederates. . . . The depth and complexity of this research is a remarkable achievement for a single author. . . . This book will be highly useful for scholars interested in the Civil War era and those who study American public discourse. Highly recommended."" - CHOICE

""If you study Civil War Era politics, A War of Words deserves a place on your bookshelf."" - Civil War Book Review

""A War of Words explores an under-studied aspect of Jefferson Davis's leadership, his ability (or lack thereof) to inspire and mobilize audiences through his crafting of rhetorical appeals. This book should be valuable to students of the history of American public discourse, scholars of the Civil War era, advanced rhetorical critics, and those interested in Southern rhetoric and public address."" - David Zarefsky, author of Lincoln, Douglas, and Slavery: In the Crucible of Public Debate

""Atchison does an excellent job of delving into how and why Davis's speeches often failed to achieve their goals - and why Davis's rhetorical aims were often off the mark and unsuccessful. Many of the author's insights and evaluation of Davis's rhetoric will help students of the Civil War era understand more about the context and history of the time, and, indeed, more about Davis himself."" - W. Stuart Towns, author of Enduring Legacy: Rhetoric and Ritual of the Lost Cause