Abraham Lincoln could never have become president if he didn't win over the stalwarts of his own party. But as the 1860 Republican convention neared, he was barely considered an also-ran. The conventional wisdom held that William H. Seward of Auburn, NY would become the nominee. But as big players in the new political party descended on Chicago, a bustling mid-western metropolis of business (and seedy behavior!), the brilliant political tactician unleashed a strategy that would not only make him the nominee, but would make him president during the most consequential period in American history. Achorn traces how Lincoln's right-hand-operatives stunned Chicago and changed America forever.

Ed Achorn's website can be found at https://edachorn.com

He is on social media at https://twitter.com/Ed_Achorn

Our episode with Ed on his book, "The Summer of Beer and Whiskey" can be found here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000527947063

Our episode with Ed on his book, "Every Drop of Blood" can be found here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000505150893

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