This title will be released on:
Sep 16, 2025
Description
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.
Product Details
| Publisher | Mission Point Press |
| Publish Date | September 16, 2025 |
| Pages | 368 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781965278543 |
| Dimensions | 9.0 X 6.0 X 0.8 inches | 1.4 pounds |
About the Author
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
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