Malice Toward None: Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, the Homestead Act, and the Massacre --and Inspiring Survival--of the Kochendorfers

by Daniel C. Munson

A gravestone inscription leads the author on a search through early Minnesota history, and then U.S. and Civil War history. He discovers that four siblings orphaned by the Dakota War commissioned that inscription in memory of their parents and younger sister, and that their many descendants now live all around him. Those quiet descendants have kept many wonderful family records, and in those letters and photographs he learns that those four brave orphans lived lives of tolerance and gratitude, lives that answered President Lincoln's hopes in that Second Inaugural Address.

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m beginning to read a little bit more history lately, and I hope it is a trend that continues. Fiction and fantasy and science fiction are all great. Manga and comics show so much color and vibrancy. All of them are stories about hope and love and magic of the world are great. But history and the pieces of it that affect our lives should also be read and remembered.

Malice Toward None is an interesting book, it gives a personal sense to the history of the time period and events that people lived through. I’m impressed by the author’s dedication to the research needed to do this style of book.

The writing in the book is amateurish in some ways, but passionate and perfect in tone. I appreciate seeing someone branch out and write/do something different and have a different style behind it. I believe the author did a wonderful job with writing this book.

The main “Complaint” that is more a wish than anything is that the documents are not shown in full. I would personally love to read the letters and documents that are referenced and shown in part. Though I realize they are personal to a family and respect that.

Overall, a great read. Something I’d love to do is read tons of this style of book. Ones that give a personal story of people that went through the times the book covers. And not just the major figures, but small families like the Kochendorfers. The "little history" deserves to be remembered as much as the great sweeping narratives of major figures or events.

[Judy Evenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written historical account of Minnesota events and the Kochendorfer family from their immigration from Germany through in Indian Uprising of 1862. This filled in a lot of detail and gave context to that period of MN history. An excellent read!

[RoseAnn Siegmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Barbara Ruuska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about a Minnesota family and how the children survived an attack during the Dakota War of 1862. The history that lead up to these events gave me a clearer sense of how so many things went wrong before those fateful days of August, 1862. Anyone from Minnesota or with roots from Minnesota should read this book. I love history but had never really understood what had happened in southern Minnesota during the Sioux uprising of 1862.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and fascinating historical account of early Minnesota immigrants and troubled times. My relatives also experienced the native uprisings of the mid 1800s and only survived by hiding under floorboards in their house. After reading this book, I can understand those times better, appreciate the reality of my family's predicament, and see all sides with a clearer vision. I especially appreciate how the author didn't sensationalize or glorify one side over the other.