The clashes between President Abraham Lincoln and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney over slavery, secession, and the president's constitutional war powers are vividly brought to life in this compelling story of the momentous tug-of-war between these two men during the worst crisis in American history.

An examination of the justices in the Supreme Court who served during America's darkest hour, and how Lincoln was able to govern effectively, even though he stretched his Constitutional authority to the limits.