Lincoln's Code: The Laws of War in American History

Overall a very good read and an excellent book. Witt's research is impeccable and his writing style is top notch. There are some places where the book seems to repeat itself, and then the last chapter feels a bit like a cop out, like it could have, should have been longer, but still, overall, a very good book that I would highly recommend. If you see this book in stores and want an idea of what it's about, the epilogue provides a great short outline of the book.

Great book on a little studied subject. The book talks about troops conduct during war and the genesis of code of war. It is the basis for the rules of engagement our troops follow today. I highly recommend the book to get a better understand of what troop conduct was allowable during the war and how it was developed over many years.

This is a well and clearly written, detailed discussion of the development of the Laws of War from the viewpoint of the USA as developed over the years of our Revolutionary War to President's Lincoln's General Orders Number 100, 1862, on the conduct of War during our Civil War. The horrors of war are presented in a nuanced fashion to show the reasons for the developments, but not in such detail as to be gory or dwelled upon. Many references and contrasts are made to current Geneva Conventions, thus enabling the reader to position the work in modern as well as historical terms. There are several excellent condensations of Congressional arguments, such as the attempt by Henry Clay and others to censure Andrew Jackson's execution of two British Citizen's in North Florida, 2 years before Jackson was elected President. The comparisons of our Native American Laws of War with those of Europe, and the response of the USA working to develop it's own Laws of War are the clearest I have ever read. This book is actually a legal text and includes much detailed history of the development of a complex topic. A fair knowledge of American History is prerequisite to reading this book as many items in our history are referenced as if generally known and understood beyond a high school level of understanding. This would be an excellent addition to any Civil War buff's library or as additional reading at the college or law school, or military academy level.

I found the book very interesting, with the many historical incidents tied together, but the reading was less than scintillating.

I've read many books on the various American wars but this is the first one to analyze those wars through the prism of the rules of war. While it's clear that wars ultimate aim sometimes usurped the desire for the good conduct of wars Mr.Witt does a great job of showing how American conduct of war adapted over time.

It is extraordinary that governments around the world for many years based much of the way they handled warcraft on the laws that Lincoln promulgated during America's Civil War.

This excellent book on a topic most people are not familiar with - the laws of war - is almost riveting in its style and content. As a practicing lawyer for 40+ years, I cannot believe I had never been exposed to this area of the law. Those who liked the movie Lincoln will find this work provides the details about the Emancipation Proclamation the movie could not provide. I hope there is a volume two bringing the analysis to the current date. An excellent history.

Completely surprised me about how the origins of behavior in war arose. I am only part way into the book, but have very much enjoyed what I have read so far. Worth it even if I don't have time to read farther.