Benjamin Franklin Butler

In this captivating audiobook, prize-winning biographer Elizabeth D. Leonard explores the complex life of Benjamin Franklin Butler, a pivotal figure during the Civil War and Reconstruction. From his beginnings in poverty to becoming a lawyer advocating for workers' rights, Butler's journey includes his influential role as a civilian general for Lincoln and a progressive force for Black freedom. Leonard reveals Butler's evolving understanding of racism and slavery, ultimately positioning him as a significant opponent of white supremacy and a champion of civil rights. This nuanced portrait offers listeners a fresh, factual perspective on a consequential historical figure.