“Peels away the layers of myth to unmask a champion of the Lost Cause. . . . [A] masterful biography.” — Georgia Historical Quarterly
“Reflecting decades of Appalachian revisionism as well as cutting-edge Civil War scholarship, McKinney’s widely researched, balanced, and crisply written work will remain the standard biography of this pivotal mountain politician for years to come.” — Appalachian Journal
“A well-written, exhaustive account of Zeb Vance’s life and politics. . . . Masterfully combining biography, history, and historiography, McKinney creates a complete picture of a tumultuous time and of a man who dominated those times. This will stand as the definitive biography of Zebulon Vance.” — Journal of Southern History
“McKinney has etched a persuasive and surely definitive portrait of this significant nineteenth-century political figure. . . . Excellent.” — Journal of American Studies
“An excellent biography that clearly supersedes earlier works. Highly recommended.” — CHOICE
“Effectively depicts the relationship between Vance and his lieutenant colonel . . . while conveying a clear sense of Vance’s military skills and deficiencies. . . . McKinney’s approach . . . is refreshing, and the analysis is thought-provoking.” — Civil War History
“A captivating narrative that explores both the nature of the man and the nature of his accomplishments. . . . McKinney’s comprehensive research and established expertise clearly show throughout this well constructed biography. . . . [He] has brought depth and breadth to this figure that might otherwise be remembered solely for his wartime political leadership.” — Southern Historian
“Well researched, sufficiently analytical, and nicely written, [McKinney’s] book will be the standard biography of Vance for many decades to come.” — North Carolina Historical Review
“[McKinney’s] balanced, lucid, and meticulous biography underscores the complex circumstances that confronted North Carolina’s beleaguered war governor.” — Raleigh News & Observer
“The splendid new biography by Gordon B. McKinney replaces Glenn Tucker’s Zeb Vance (1965) as the fullest and best-informed account of Vance’s influential career. . . . [McKinney] gives us an unvarnished Vance who is all the more believable for embodying both the best and the worst features of the political culture that produced him.” — Journal of American History
