Read by Jeff Riggenbach

This book paints a vivid picture of Jefferson Davis as a multifaceted, often charismatic man who mirrored the turbulent times in which he lived and who stood solidly for the South that he loved. Ranging over the complete span of his long life, it shows him as a hardworking Mississippi planter, a compassionate slave owner, a hero of the Mexican War, and an able secretary of war under Franklin Pierce. But it is on the years of the Civil War and Davis' controversial performance as president of the Confederacy that the book naturally focuses. Loved by many for his eloquence, courage, loyalty, and devotion, he was vilified by many more for his well-known obstinacy and vanity, his feuds with his best commanders, and his unwillingness to delegate responsibility to others. Judicious, balanced, compassionate, Jefferson Davis is an enthralling account of a remarkable man. Preface Part One: The Man: Chapter 1: There My Memories Begin Chapter 2: Boys, Put Away That Grog Chapter 3: Something of a Martinet Chapter 4: Dreams Are Our Weakest Thoughts Chapter 5: Toughing It Out Chapter 6: How Little Do We Know That Which We Are Chapter 7: I Make No Terms, I Accept No Compromise Chapter 8: The War Is Probably Over Chapter 9: Boys, Fire, and at Them with Your Knives! Chapter 10: The Days of the Confederation Are Numbered Chapter 11: The Assurance That I Am Right Chapter 12: I Will Meet Force with Force Chapter 13: I Am Paying Dearly Indeed Chapter 14: Hasten Slowly, and Be Temperate in All Things Chapter 15: A Pretty Good Secessionist Chapter 16: We Have Piped But They Would Not Dance Part Two: The Hour: Chapter 17: I Saw Troubles and Thorns Innumerable Chapter 18: We Will Make a History for Ourselves Chapter 19: We Have Taught Them a Lesson Chapter 20: Sidney Johnston's Step Chapter 21: The Drooping Cause of Our Country Chapter 22: We Could End the War Chapter 23: The Vicious and the Selfish Chapter 24: To Strike Another Blow Chapter 25: I Mourn over Opportunities Lost (part 1) Chapter 25: I Mourn over Opportunities Lost (part 2) Chapter 26: The Clouds Are Truly Dark over Us Chapter 27: Not Mine, Oh, Lord, But Thine Chapter 28: I Love My Friends and I Forgive My Enemies Chapter 29: Faction Has Done Much Chapter 30: I Cannot Feel Like a Beaten Man (part 1) Chapter 30: I Cannot Feel Like a Beaten Man (part 2) Chapter 31: There Is the Gridiron We Have Been Fried On Chapter 32: I Seem to Remember More Every Day (part 1) Chapter 32: I Seem to Remember More Every Day (part 2) Chapter 33: May All Your Paths Be Peaceful and Pleasant "This is a pragmatic but sympathetic biography that explains why Davis was respected but never loved by the citizens of the Confederate states." "A fine, objective portrait in paradox, shrewdly detailing how Jefferson Davis' character flaws rendered him woefully unsuited to be President of the Confederacy…A dispassionate, well-researched, and skillful biography of a complex and controversial figure."

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