"We've had Thomas Cahill's excellent How The Irish Saved Civilization and now Niall O'Dowd has penned a terrific book that should be titled "How The Irish Saved The Union." O'Dowd introduces us to a wealth of Irish characters who had an enormous impact on Abraham Lincoln and the outcome of the Civil War. Just some of them include the old Irish White House door man Edward McManus, who was one of the very few people who could make Lincoln laugh with his Irish tales (much to Mary Todd Lincoln's annoyance), the legendary (and controversial) Archbishop of New York John 'Dagger' Hughes, his friend and confidante (and Irish revolutionary), hero Thomas Francis Meagher, and another Irish confidante, General Michael Corcoran. Both of the latter men fought and won decisive victories for the North, along with the diminutive General Philip Sheridan (head of the Union cavalry). We learn of the extraordinary courageous acts of bravery of women like Jennie Hodgers from County Louth, a transgender soldier, and "Irish Biddy," who followed her husband into battle and famously saved many wounded soldiers by dragging them off the field and returning to repeat this action many times. She stood a little over 5 ft! Then, of course, we had the legendary Pennsylvanian Irish 69th, who certainly won the battle of Gettysburg for Lincoln and ultimately saved the North. Abe apparently grabbed an Irish flag and kissed it after the battle of Malvern Hill and declared "God bless the Irish!" Delve into this book on any page and you will find delicious little stories of the affection our most loved and cherished president had for our race who were considered at the time as Catholic rabble by many on the east coast. If you're a Lincoln fan like me, you'll love this book.

" -- Liam Neeson, award-winning actor "In these times when some would make of America a cold house for emigrants, Niall O'Dowd has done well to remind us of how the greatest American icon, Abraham Lincoln, changed from a position of suspicion of Irish immigrants to one of gratitude and deep regard for them. As the book reveals, he was deeply touched by their outstanding role in his life and by their sacrifices in his battle to preserve the fragile flower of democracy."-- Tim Pat Coogan, historian and best-selling author of The IRA , Michael Collins , and Wherever Green is Worn.