Conversation so far:
What happened during James Buchanan's final years?
The Civil War erupted within two months of James Buchanan's retirement.
Was James Buchanan successful in preventing The Civil War?
Buchanan spent most of his remaining years defending his actions leading up to the Civil War, which was even referred to by some as Buchanan's War.
What else happened after James Buchanan left office besides the Civil War erupting?
James Buchanan became distraught by the vitriolic attacks levied towards him, and fell sick and depressed.
Is there anything else significant during James Buchanan's final years besides becoming distraught and depressed?
In October 1862, James Buchanan defended himself in an exchange of letters with Winfield Scott, published in the National Intelligencer.
What else happened besides the letters with Winfield Scott in James Buchanan's final years?
James Buchanan soon began writing his fullest public defense, in the form of his memoir.

Question: Was he successful in this?
Self-contained rewrite: Was James Buchanan successful in writing a memoir?