Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War: Selected Writings and Speeches (The Bedford Series in History and Culture) [Hardcover]

Abraham Lincoln (Author), Michael P. Johnson (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312227639 | ISBN-13: 978-0312227630 | Publication Date: October 2000

Comprising an impressive array of more than 200 of Abraham Lincoln's writings and speeches, this volume offers a fascinating window onto one of history's most remarkable figures. Letting Lincoln's own eloquent voice tell the story, the author has organized the documentary material topically in ten chapters that follow Lincoln from his youth, to his entry into Republican politics, and through the main events of his presidency. Great public speeches like the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and the Gettysburg Address are here, together with many less familiar writing poignantly personal letters to voters and colleagues, notes on military strategy-to show the character and evolution of Lincoln's thought on the crucial issues of free labor, slavery, secession, Civil War, and emancipation. Johnson provides ample historical context through the skillful weaving of narrative and documents and the judicious use of footnotes, making this volume more accessible to undergraduates than any comparable collection. Also included are 14 illustrations, relevant Civil War maps, chronology, questions to consider, bibliography, and an index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War are three topics that continue to interest both scholarly and popular readers. Johnson (history, Johns Hopkins), the author of numerous historical studies and texts, including Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents, uses Lincoln's own utterances to shed light on the thought of this intriguing public figure and to tell the story of this highly significant conflict. This volume contains more than 170 samples of Lincoln's private and public writings arranged around relevant topics with informative headnotes, a chronology, and questions to challenge the reader and fuel debate. This is a good acquisition for academic and public libraries of all sizes, but for more comprehensive coverage libraries might choose the classic texts Life and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Philip Van Doren Stern (Modern Library, 1999) or the two-volume Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher (Library of America, 1989).DTheresa McDevitt, Indiana Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

From more than 120,000 documents available in the collected works of Abraham Lincoln, Johnson has culled approximately 200 dealing directly and indirectly with the two issues that defined Lincoln's presidency: slavery and the Civil War. Though the first three chapters provide a survey of Lincoln's early life and writings, the heart of the book is devoted to letters, notes, speeches, and interviews written and presented during his tenure as U.S. president. What emerges is an overview of how Lincoln's private thoughts and public opinions on free labor, slavery, secession, and the preservation of the Union evolved during this critical time period. A digestible compendium of invaluable primary sources distinguished by Lincoln's trademark wit, compassion, and eloquence. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 358 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312227639
• ISBN-13: 978-0312227630
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Genius of Lincoln in Print!, January 19, 2011

By 

Frank Beckendorf "Frank from Chalmette and no... (Abilene, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War (Paperback)

Whether or not you're a fan of Lincoln's position in history, this title will break down some of his contributions to human ears since the days of his existence. Yes, there are indeed gigantic volumes of Lincoln's writings but this title tries to pick out the important contributions...and I think, for the most part, they are the correct ones.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PAGE TURNER, March 9, 2007

By 

SHARON LEE BOTCH - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War (Paperback)

FOR ME THIS WAS A PAGE TURNER. I FELT LIKE I WAS THERE AT THE TIME THESE LETTERS AND SPEECHES WERE WRITTEN. VERY EASY TO GET LOST IN THE TIME PERIOD. IF YOU LOVE THIS SUBJECT, YOU'LL ENJOY THIS BOOK.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War, June 29, 2010

By 

Hiram B. Cooper Jr. "Ben" (Bella Vista, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War (Paperback)

It is what I expected. I am not a great fan of Abraham Lincoln and believe the Lincoln War could have been prevented. I do not believe the war was over slavery.