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Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President (Simon & Schuster Lincoln Library)

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Harold Holzer's excellent analysis of the Cooper Union speech is a model of historical and rhetorical scholarship. Written with clarity and unpretentiousness, it offers a wonderful view of the political world of 1859-1860, of Lincoln as a would-be candidate for president seeking to make his first big venture in the East, of the turbulent and anti-Republican metropolis of New York City, of the ordeal of railroad travel, of the growing power of photographic images in politics, and of the interactions of newspapers and politics. Holzer more than proves his case that the Cooper Union speech was vital to making Lincoln President, and that it was one of his greatest and most intellectually formidable speeches. Highly recommended as a book that belongs with Garry Wills's LINCOLN AT GETTYSBURG and Ronald White's LINCOLN'S GREATEST SPEECH: THE SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS. Now if Holzer would only tackle Lincoln's First Inaugural Address and his 1838 Young Men's Lyceum speech in the same way....

Of all of Lincoln's pre-Presidential speeches, the one he gave at New York City's Cooper Union in February 1860 stands out as the most historically significant: it made him president; it compelled the South to secede; and it saved the Union. And, yet, as Professor Holzer points out, this speech, while mentioned in history books, is rarely given the recognition it deserves. His comprehensive and readable "Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech that Made Abraham Lincoln President", rectifies this terrible oversight.

This is not a step-by-step examination of Lincoln's references in, and the rhetorical craftsmanship of, the speech, although those are explored thoroughly. The book also explores the heretofore unacknowledged campaigning savvy that Lincoln possessed. He knew he had to come to Gotham to convince the Eastern Republicans of his credibility. He knew the importance of the local newspaper printers, like Bryant and Greeley. He understood the importance of having a visual aid, like a Matthew Brady photograph. But, most important, as Professor Holzer takes great pains to reveal, Lincoln did not want to appear to be an abolitionist. That would border on radicalism which would be a guarantee of defeat.

As a bonus, "Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech that Made Abraham Lincoln President", presents us with a unique view of 1860 New York: the thieves at the docks; the "mass transit" of the age; the hunger for entertainment, of which political speeches were a significant part; the elegance and extravagance of the rich; and the desperation of the Five Points poor.

"Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President" is a wonderful book that will please anyone interested in American History, New York City, or oratory. And Professor Holzer deserves our thanks for making it so fascinating. It only reflects his own passion for the subject.

Rocco Dormarunno, author of THE FIVE POINTS

Harold Holzer's new book further cements Lincoln's reputation as the United States' greatest president. Lincoln's speech at Cooper Union in New York City early in 1860 was designed as a rebuttal to Stephen A. Douglas's doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, which would have allowed the spread of slavery into the territories. It was also meant to define the Republican Party and, by extension, Lincoln himself, countering the South's contention that the Republicans were nothing more than a sectional party. Holzer does a masterful job in relating Lincoln's research in crafting the Cooper Union speech, the long, tiring journey from Illinois to New York, his performance, and the long, winding trip back to Springfield. Holzer's book will stand for quite some time as the definitive study of "The Speech that Made Lincoln President".

Harold Holzer's book on Abraham Lincoln's speech at Cooper Union gives a clarity to the importance of that speech and how it affected Lincoln as a speaker, politican and future candidate for his Republican Party. While Lincoln was well known among the western states, he wasn't that well regarded along the northeastern seaboard. One of the most important things about the book was how the author explained how this speech gave Lincoln so much creditability among the easterners and how that speech firmly put Lincoln on the political map national wide. This helped pave the way for Lincoln's nomination when others were looking for alternative choices beside William Seward who was at that time, the leading Republican front runner.

The book proves to be quite informative. Abraham Lincoln is obviously one person you cannot judge by your first impression. The author throughly explained the mannerism of Lincoln's speech skills and the way it contrast to his physical appearances which often led to initial misgiving by the audience before they roared in their approval at the end of the speech.

Its pretty clear that Mr. Holzer have complete command of his subject matter which is reflected on the superb writing and ease of reading material that only an expert can do to any subject. The book appears to be well researched and it was about time that a book on this subject came out (I think the last book about this speech came out before Mr. Holzer was born).

I would considered this book to be a mandatory reading material for anyone interested in Abraham Lincoln and probably a good background material for anyone interested in the coming of the American Civil War.

This excellent book, by Harold Holzer, sheds light on the speech that may well have launched Lincoln towards the Republican nomination for president in 1860. In the fall of 1859, Lincoln had received an invitation to speak at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, NY. After negotiations about the most convenient date, it was agreed that Lincoln would speak in February 1860 for a fee of $200.00. He made the long, arduous trip from Springfield, IL, and when he arrived in New York, he discovered that the speech was going to take place in Manhattan at Cooper Union (the organizers had overlooked informing him of this change).

He had an ill fitting, rumpled suit that was packed in a trunk. Prior to the speech, he went to Matthew Brady's studio, and through photographic wizardry, Brady made Lincoln appear distinguished looking although he was actually ungainly and he was wearing that suit. Because he seemed so presidential in the photo, it was used in campaign literature and was widely distrubuted, often with artistic variations. That night, when he appeared on the stage, people were shocked at the awkward looking presence before them. He got up to speak and he started in sort of a frontier accent (some reports state that he opened by saying "Mr. Cheerman."). Before long, however, he had the audience enraptured. The first part of the speech was a well researched, scholarly exposition on whether the Constitution authorized the federal government to regulate slavery in the territories. By demonstrating that many signers of the Constitution who later served in Congress voted for such regulations (such as in the Northwest Territories) he argued forcefully that their understanding was that the Constitution did allow it. Thus, if we look to the intention of the fathers as Stephen Douglas had suggested in an earlier periodical article, such regulation is permissible. Therefore, with his exhaustive research, he basically hung Douglas by his own pitard by adopting Douglas's standard of analysis. He also spoke to the southern states; of course this was a rhetorical device since his intended "audience" was not present. Finally, he rallied the Republican party.

The speech was a huge success and it took place in the Republican frontrunner's (Senator William Seward) home state of New York. The speech was widely published and distributed. Furthermore, Lincoln travelled to New Hampshire to visit his son Robert who was attending school there, and while on the road, Lincoln delivered variant's of the speech several more times. The speech brought Lincoln to national prominence and, since it was considered unseemly for presidential candidates to actually campaign back then, the speech, the additional speeches in New England, and the printed copies basically served as his only active campaign.

This book is well written and extraordinarilly captivating for any reader who is interested in Lincoln or the Civil War era. In addition, Holzer includes the text of the speech in an appendix. I once saw a recreation of the speech (I believe on CSpan) delivered by Sam Waterston, and I certainly recommend hearing the speech if it is ever repeated. However, if you don't have that opportunity, you can read it in it's entirety in the appendix. By the way, there is a book with a similar title and similar cover art (the Matthew Brady photo) by John A. Corry. I intend to read that book also and will review and and compare it when I do so.

Holzer provides a fascinating view of Lincoln's important Eastern "coming out" which ultimately led to him becoming president. The narrative is clear; the research is thorough; and the analysis is first rate. Books of this type are often painfully dry; however, the author relates the history and provides his analysis in an easy and compelling manner. It's not a Grisham thriller, but you will keep reading until the end.

While the Cooper Union speech doesn't reach the emotional heights of the Gettysburg Address or the Second Inaugural speech, it is still masterful rhetoric that achieves all of its key goals - shoot down Douglas' arguement against federal authority to limit the expansion of slavery to the territories; provide a unifying theme for the Republican party; and, allow Lincoln to present himself as a leading spokesman for the new party.

It's not clear if Lincoln seriously entertained pursuit of the presidential nomination prior to the speech, but the overwhelmingly positive reaction to it either prompted him to consider it, or removed any lingering reluctance he had.

Holzer's account is in three logical parts - the setup (how Lincoln was invited to speak, the preparation for the speaking engagement itself; and the preparation of the speech); the speech itself; and, the aftermath which led up to him becoming president.

In addition to descriptions of the events surrounding the speech, the book provides an excellent discussion of the context of the circumstances and insight into its meaning. Holzer provides a good overview of the rhetorical devices as well as the logic used by Lincoln so that the reader learns why the speech was so effective.

For anyone who wants to use the founding fathers as a justification for their belief system should read this speech and this book.

Lincoln in tight, careful reasoning lays out exactly what the founding fathers believed in regard to slavery. Eloquent, exciting and challenging.

This is much needed study to the speeches of Lincoln.

In October, 1859, a small group of young Republican leaders in New York City invited Abraham Lincoln to give an address at Henry Beecher's church in Brooklyn on a subject of Lincoln's choosing. At the time, Lincoln was heavily involved in helping Republican Congressional candidates, was still smarting from his 1858 defeat for the Senate by Stephen Douglas, and was a dark-horse, favorite son for the Republican presidential nomination. Lincoln accepted the invitation, worked painstakingly on the speech, and travelled to New York City to deliver what became the Cooper Union Address on February 27, 1860. (Lincoln was unaware that the venue for the speech had been changed until he arrived in New York.) The speech and its aftermath brought Lincoln national attention. It played a major role in allowing Lincoln to overtake the Republican front-runner, Senator William Seward of New York, and secure the nomination and the presidency.

Harold Holzer is an independent scholar who, in the midst of a busy career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has written or edited over twenty books about Lincoln. His most recent book: "Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech that made Abraham Lincoln President" (2004) is a comprehensive account of the "momentous" Cooper Union Address, including (p. 1) "its impetus, preparation, delivery, reception, publication, calculated reiteration, and its enormous, perhaps decisive impact on that year's presidential campaign." It is one of a number or recent books that examine in detail a specific Lincoln speech or proclamation, (such at the Gettysburg Address, Second Inaugural Address, Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln-Douglas debates.) But the book does more. It helps the reader understand Lincoln and the issues that lead to the Civil War.

The Cooper Union speech was lengthy, scholarly, and factual and endeavored to show that a majority of the founders -- those that signed the Constitution -- believed that Congress had the right to regulate and prevent the spread of slavery into the territories. This issue was central to the dispute between North and South and to Lincoln's debates with his great opponent, Senator Douglas. Holzer's book begins with a discussion of how Lincoln, the self-educated backwoods lawyer and stump speaker carefully researched this issue in an attempt to present a dispassionate yet morally committed approach to the issue of slavery.

The book includes excellent accounts of the difficult and tiring nature of train travel during Lincoln's time, especially for an aspiring presidential candidate travelling to make a major address. It includes fascinating discussions of the New York City of 1860 --Walt Whitman's New York -- and its docks, piers, hotels, and Broadway. There is a wonderful account of Lincoln's visit while in the City to Five Points -- a notorious slum -- and a letter he subsequently received in the presidency from young men in a charitable school that he visited at the time.

While in New York, Lincoln had a famous photograph taken by Matthew Brady. Brady's artistry made Lincoln look distinguished and presidential rather than like a tall, gangling shabbily dressed backwoodsman. The Brady photo together with the speech helped bring Lincoln to public attention.

In the heart of the book, Holzer offers a detailed analysis of the Cooper Union speech (the text is given in an appendix) and of Lincoln's delivery that fateful evening. Although his audience was initially taken aback by the rough-hewn Lincoln, the substance of the speech and Lincoln's style of his delivery captivated the audience and made an astonishing impression. Lincoln helped shepherd his text into print, and made a hectic speaking tour of New England while visiting his son Robert at Exeter, thus furthering his position as a statesman of vision, integrity, and prudence.

An interesting feature of the book is how Holzer reminds the reader of the fragile nature of historical accounts, including alleged eye-witness accounts. Many times, Holzer points out a received account of the Cooper Union speech and shows in detail how the account is questionably supported or is inconsistent with other sources. (For example, there is a story that Erastus Corning, Director of the New York Central Railroad offered Lincoln the position as corporate counsel following the speech for the large salary of $10,000. Holzer shows that this account lacks foundation.) The book shows how historical sources need to be approached, used, and interpreted with caution.

This book is an outstanding account of Lincoln in his complexity as a pragmatic, opportunistic and yet highly principled leader. It gives a vivid picture of our country and its political life in 1860. It considers issues about the nature of the Union and of human freedom that Lincoln addressed eloquently. These issues remain with us today.

Robin Friedman

Prof Bernstein hits the nail on the head in his review of Harold Holzer`s "Lincoln at Cooper Union". Mr Holzer writes fluidly of an important, though seldom explained, moment in our nation`s history. Holzer also does an excellent job puncturing the numerous myths surrounding the speech and events both before and after that February evening. Lincoln comes across less of an icon, more human in his ambition and political calculation. An excellent read.

There are so many books written on Lincoln and many different prespectives on his life and presidency. Holzer looks at the Cooper Union Speech and shows how Lincoln, the master politician used the speech and his trip East to get the 1860 nomination. Many historians assert that the speech made Lincoln. However, Holzer shows a unique view of the trip and the speech and how Lincoln used the opportunity to campaign in the East before he was officially a candidate. Ironically, Holzer points out that Salmon Chase turned down the opportunity to speak at Cooper Union demonstrating just one more ocassion when Chase blew an opportunity to get to the White House.

While dispelling many myths about the speech and Lincoln's trip, Holzer also shows the brillance of Lincoln and the time and effort that he spent in preparation for this speech. He also shows how this speech became Lincoln's stump speech. Once nominated, Lincoln followed the tradition of the time and did not campaign but used the Cooper Union Speech as essentially his platform.

For the person just beginning their interest in Lincoln or the seasoned scholar, this book is well worth the read. To add to that it is a quick and enjoyable read.