Presidents and the Dissolution of the Union: Leadership Style from Polk to Lincoln

Published Jan. 21, 2016

(Princeton University Press) Greenstein takes a straightforward look at America’s Civil War-era presidents to show how they contributed to the dissolution of the Union. Examining each on multiple levels — from emotional intelligence to political ability — Greenstein highlights both the strength of Lincoln and the great weakness of James Buchanan. Greenstein is a politics professor emeritus at Princeton.

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The February 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a photo of Joseph Nye.
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