Varina Davis--Jefferson Davis's wife--is an energetic delight, full of unedited editorial opinions about the people and events surrounding the Civil War. Jefferson Davis must have been possessed of immense patience and calm to spend a lifetime with a woman as hyper as Varina. As well as a good look at the private side of these public people, the letters in the book contain amazing historical tidbits, such as the prophetic words spoken to Davis by President Taylor on his deathbed, and Davis's true feelings on being elected president of the doomed Confederacy.