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Lincoln : Speeches and Writings : 1859-1865 (Library of America) Hardcover – October 1, 1989
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understanding of its most terrible conflict. This volume, along with its companion, Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832–1858, comprises the most comprehensive selection ever published. Over 550 speeches, messages, proclamations, letters, and other writings—including the Inaugural and Gettysburg addresses and the moving condolence letter to Mrs. Bixby—record the words and deeds with which Lincoln defended, preserved, and redefined the Union.
LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation’s literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America’s best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.
- Print length788 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherLibrary of America
- Publication dateOctober 1, 1989
- Dimensions5.15 x 1.4 x 8.15 inches
- ISBN-100940450631
- ISBN-13978-0940450639
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About the Author
Don E. Fehrenbacher (1920-1997) was professor of history at Stanford University. He was the author of several books, including Prelude to Greatness: Lincoln in the 1850's, The Dred Scott Case: Its Significance in American Law and Politics, and Lincoln in Text and Context.
Product details
- Publisher : Library of America
- Publication date : October 1, 1989
- Edition : Annotated
- Language : English
- Print length : 788 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0940450631
- ISBN-13 : 978-0940450639
- Item Weight : 1.55 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.15 x 1.4 x 8.15 inches
- Book 2 of 2 : Lincoln: Speeches and Writings
- Best Sellers Rank: #150,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20 in Literary Speeches
- #143 in American Civil War Biographies (Books)
- #167 in American Fiction Anthologies
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Customers find this collection of Lincoln's speeches and writings to be a must-read, with one noting it provides a fascinating look at his inner thoughts. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its collection quality, political acumen, and writing style, with customers describing Lincoln as a great political figure and remarkable writer with wonderful prose. Additionally, customers consider the book good value for money.
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Customers appreciate the book's insights, with one noting it provides a fascinating look at Lincoln's inner thoughts, while another mentions it shows his progression in thought and leadership.
"...This is a collection that is a fascinating look at the inner thoughts of Lincoln as he progresses from a congressional candidate in the 1850's, then..." Read more
"Many written pieces and speeches of which I was not aware. Emlightning." Read more
"I've only read the first few letters & speeches but Lincoln is always insightful about America and the struggle to limit slavery." Read more
"...It makes your bookcase look sophisticated and brings plenty of knowledge to your mental library." Read more
Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as a must-read and another noting it's a great addition to any library.
"...Lincoln's writings and recorded speeches are incredibly interesting to read...." Read more
"...al. make a fine reading of the Civil War from the Union side...." Read more
"...Thank you Mr. Lincoln for the privilege of this most interesting movie; a movie you would justify by The Constitution and an instinct which was..." Read more
"...The book itself is of very high quality and makes a great addition to any library." Read more
Customers praise the collection of Lincoln's speeches and writings, with one noting it's a wonderful addition to their library.
"...of original Lincoln source documents in two volumes is a wonderful addition to the library of any person interested in this portion of American..." Read more
"...the Emancipation Proclamation, which are all included in this fine compilation...." Read more
"...This collection is great as it provides a summary of Lincoln's writings before and during the course of the Civil War and shows his progression in..." Read more
"...resource to have in your Abraham Lincoln collection....wonderfully collected pieces...excellent editing....must have series..." Read more
Customers appreciate Lincoln's political acumen, describing him as a great president and political genius.
"What a great man. It is a pleasure to red his speeches, notes and letters." Read more
"Probably the best president by all accounts, Abraham Lincoln stands alone as a man who provided leadership and some of the finest prose any..." Read more
"...Great president!" Read more
"...speeches during his term of office spotlights his intelligence, political acumen, wit, generosity, and growth – as well as his wonderful prose." Read more
Customers appreciate Lincoln's writing style, describing him as a remarkable writer with wonderful prose, and one customer notes that his work is both eloquent and compact.
"...stands alone as a man who provided leadership and some of the finest prose any president had before him or since...." Read more
"Many written pieces and speeches of which I was not aware. Emlightning." Read more
"...political acumen, wit, generosity, and growth – as well as his wonderful prose." Read more
"...Lincoln's greatness as a good man and his legacy as an astute, capable, and at times, shrewd politician is so well preserved by his writings...." Read more
Customers find the book to be good value for money.
"...Its a good hefty book worth the price. It makes your bookcase look sophisticated and brings plenty of knowledge to your mental library." Read more
"Great price, packaged well and in very good condition" Read more
"...A must have for any historian. A good value, too, for what this book contains." Read more
"I appreciated the inexpensive price of this Kindle volume...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2007The Library of America's collection of original Lincoln source documents in two volumes is a wonderful addition to the library of any person interested in this portion of American history. The two volumes represent the best scholarship available today in terms of organizing and duplicating Lincoln's own words as they are found in personal letters, speech transcriptions, notes, memos, and other forms of written communication. This is a collection that is a fascinating look at the inner thoughts of Lincoln as he progresses from a congressional candidate in the 1850's, then as a candidate for President in 1860, and then as he prosecutes the war of the states until the time of his assassination.
The Library of America represents a rare and welcome to the world of print publishing. Funded from a continuous trust that is structured to keep every single volume perpetually in print, the Library prints only on the finest paper, using only the best inks, and implementing the best binding technology available. These books are true library quality, with ultra-high quality paper from Germany and bindings from the Netherlands, and truly represent the finest book quality typically seen in today's book world. The perpetual trust of the Library nevertheless keeps the price of these volumes at a reasonable level, with most volumes available between $24 and $40 dollars. Once you handle one, you'll undoubtedly see what a real value this series represents.
Lincoln's writings and recorded speeches are incredibly interesting to read. These works provide remarkable insight into this most unusual of people, and posterity is pleased that so much of these items were saved and eventually collated for later review. Can we make ourselves belief that this is largely a self-educated man who writes English prose at a level rarely seen even in the most educated of individuals? Following the logic posed in many of these letters, coupled with the piecing insights into human nature that Lincoln seemed to exude, can give us an experience that extends our thinking and challenges our views. Because Lincoln is canonized in history, we really don't understand the real man all that well. These personal writings of Lincoln help de-mystify the true person behind the persona, and make us see the man, not just the legend.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2014Probably the best president by all accounts, Abraham Lincoln stands alone as a man who provided leadership and some of the finest prose any president had before him or since.
Clearly Abraham Lincoln is known for his two main speeches, The Gettysburg Address, and his Second Inaugural, along with the Emancipation Proclamation, which are all included in this fine compilation. But Lincoln's other writings are also so well done, and in a prose style that verges on poetic. His writings to McClellan, Hooker, Pope, Grant, et. al. make a fine reading of the Civil War from the Union side.
Perhaps the only president who wrote as well would be Theodore Roosevelt, whose letters written to his children are priceless. But Lincoln stands alone as the one man who had the tenacity to preserve the Union at whatever cost was necessary. Certainly the urgency and toughness required to do that comes out firmly in this volume.
For those who want to read Lincoln in his own words, for those who want to believe that political leadership and moral leadership can one day be with us again, I urge you to buy this volume.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2023Many written pieces and speeches of which I was not aware. Emlightning.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024Great!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023Be aware that if you buy the paperback it is simply a print out of all the speeches. There is no table of contents or index. If I was to buy again I'd go for the hardcover.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022I've only read the first few letters & speeches but Lincoln is always insightful about America and the struggle to limit slavery.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2017Its a beautiful book, I love the red-white-blue banner around the book. Its a good hefty book worth the price. It makes your bookcase look sophisticated and brings plenty of knowledge to your mental library.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2019Lincoln 1859 - 1865, from The Library Of America, has become an instant schoolbook. Abraham Lincoln, in speeches, letters, messages, proclamations and other writings, has shown me American history as it was being seen by him. Thank you Mr. Lincoln for the privilege of this most interesting movie; a movie you would justify by The Constitution and an instinct which was habitual with you: doing right because doing right was the right thing to do. And you did, and you never faltered.
Top reviews from other countries
grace fultonReviewed in Canada on August 14, 20164.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
why is is that I can only read this when online?







