In Ways and Means, journalist Roger Lowenstein reveals the unlikely story of how Abraham Lincoln used the urgency of financing the Civil War to transform a union of states into one united nation. Through a financial lens, he explores how this second American revolution, led by Lincoln, his cabinet, and his congress, changed the direction of the country.

introduction: Revolution completed -- Two crises -- Exigencies of war -- Ways and means -- The window shuts -- Legal tender -- Forgotten Congress -- Proclamation -- Chase's plan -- Cotton for cash -- Gettysburg summer -- Chase for President -- Roast mutton and partridge -- Exit secretary -- Staggering transformation -- Epilogue.