Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point
Author: Lewis E. Lehrman
Copyright 2008
Stackpole Books
Lewis E. Lehrman’s book, Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point argues that the speech Abraham Lincoln gave at Peoria, Illinois on October 16, 1854, while arguing against the Kansas-Nebraska act and its main supporter, Stephen A. Douglas, in what was a preview of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, marked the turning point of Abraham Lincoln's speechmaking and his politicial career, especially the issues to which he gave the most attention.
After reading this work, it is hard to disagree with that theme, as Lehrman thoroughly shows how this speech – part of the year of Lincoln’s re-entry into public political debate and campaigning – was made by a more disciplined, studious, serious, mature politician than the one who previously had sometimes reverted to strategies like humor, personal attacks and spontaneous remarks. Lehrman shows that this speech relied on logic, preparation and knowledge of the history of slavery in the United States, and that such devices would also mark most of Lincoln’s future public talks, including the Cooper Union speech of 1860. Instead of focusing on economic policy such as internal improvements and a national bank, Lincoln now began to attack the expansion of slavery and the moral issues surrounding this peculiar institution. Perhaps this will be bit of an exaggeration, but it is almost as if the speech in Peoria was where Lincoln went from being a boy to a man, in terms of his speech-making and public discourse, or at least where he took the single largest step in his political growth to being the man who became President in 1860 and presided during the Civil War.
Lehrman also discusses Lincoln’s career between this speech and the 1860 election. This work almost serves as a political biography of Lincoln from 1854 to 1860, instead of a book about only the speech itself.
I particularly enjoyed chapter four of this book, where Lehrman breaks down the speech, explaining Lincoln’s arguments and how they countered points Douglas and the act’s supporters had made. These pages provide a wonderful and detailed description of the speech and the issues on which it touched, providing a clear picture of the debates between the anti-Nebraska men such as Lincoln and and the act’s supporters, including Douglas.
The other chapter that stood out was the ninth one, where Lehrman shows several historical perspectives about this speech, including some critical comments, such as a few historians who claimed this speech was more about Lincoln’s political ambitions than about any moral disapproval of slavery. Lehrman counters these with some more positive views from other historians, as well as some of his own comments. It was really nice to see the different opinions people have formed about this speech over the years – this chapter was an outstanding addition to this book, and the type of work I have not often seen in other books.
At the end of the book, Lehrman included the entire text of this speech, which I enjoyed reading. Many of the “sound-bite” type comments about it are familiar to Lincoln students, as they are often quoted in books discussing this time period, but seeing them in the context of the entire speech was very helpful.
I do wonder how my perspective may have changed had I read the actual speech first and then read Lehrman’s analysis and review of it. I understand why it was placed at the back of the book, and do not claim it should have been any different, but, with the help of hindsight, I find myself wishing I had thought to read the speech first. Such a strategy might give this book even more power than it already contains.
Throughout the book are discussions of how Lincoln applied his morals and beliefs to his speeches and his work, particularly his dislike of slavery and his insistence that its expansion be disallowed. In this respect, this book would make a good companion to William Lee’s Miller President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman, which includes quite a bit of discussion of the moral issues Lincoln faced once in office. I realize Miller’s book is meant as a follow-up to his previous volume Lincoln’s Virtues and serves that purpose well, but having just read his second work just before I read Lehrman’s, I found these two to be very compatible. In fact, I wish I had read Lehrman’s first, then Miller’s, due to the chronology, but having read both of them back-to-back still was a wonderful accident.
Overall, Lewis Lehrman’s Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point is a very fine book that Lincoln students should be happy to have on their shelves. It is very enjoyable and informative, readable, yet well researched. It is an in-depth look at what may have been the turning point of Lincoln’s life and career, and certainly was a key foundation of Lincoln’s future speeches and anti-slavery pronouncements. This is simply a very good book.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas among the Freedman
Here is the second and final Christmas story I will post from Frank Moore's The Civil War in Song and Story 1861-1865, found on page 22. It is not quite as detailed or expressive as the previous story, but still shows another perspective of what this holiday meant to some 146 years ago.(The story is told in dialect for the parts spoken by the African-Americans, so I have typed it just as it appears in the book.)
CHRISTMAS AMONG THE FREEDMEN - It is well understood that Christmas was the grand holiday of the slaves on the southern plantations. In some parts of the South, the colored people have this year, 1863, celebrated it with unusual zest. A correspondent writes home about one celebration by the soldiers of the Ninth Louisiana Regiment, corps D'Afrique, adn tells how they met and gave expression to their feelings, on Christmas day - their first free Christmas. After prayer, and speeches were in order, one man, says the correspondent, spoke about as follows:
"Fellow Soldiers of the Sebenth Regiment: I is mighty glad to enjoy dis portunity for enjoying dis first free Christmas in dis world what we live in. A year ago, where was we? We was down in de dark land of slavery. And now where are we? We are free men, and soldiers of the United States. And what have we to do? We have to fight de rebels so dat we never more be slaves. When de day of battle come what will we do? I speak for me, and I say for myself, I go and fight de rebels till de last man die. Yes, under de flags what was presented to us from New York, we fight till de last man die; and if I be de last man, what will I do? I hold up de flags, doing my duty. De President of de United States is one great man what has done more good dan any oder man what ever was borned. I bless de Lord we fight for so good Commander. I have no more to say now and evermore - Amen."
Whether these troops were of the 9th or 7th regiment is unknown, and perhaps not important, but the "Corps d'Afrique" designation was unique to African American troops from Louisiana.
Here is an essay about the United States Colored Troops during the war.
CHRISTMAS AMONG THE FREEDMEN - It is well understood that Christmas was the grand holiday of the slaves on the southern plantations. In some parts of the South, the colored people have this year, 1863, celebrated it with unusual zest. A correspondent writes home about one celebration by the soldiers of the Ninth Louisiana Regiment, corps D'Afrique, adn tells how they met and gave expression to their feelings, on Christmas day - their first free Christmas. After prayer, and speeches were in order, one man, says the correspondent, spoke about as follows:
"Fellow Soldiers of the Sebenth Regiment: I is mighty glad to enjoy dis portunity for enjoying dis first free Christmas in dis world what we live in. A year ago, where was we? We was down in de dark land of slavery. And now where are we? We are free men, and soldiers of the United States. And what have we to do? We have to fight de rebels so dat we never more be slaves. When de day of battle come what will we do? I speak for me, and I say for myself, I go and fight de rebels till de last man die. Yes, under de flags what was presented to us from New York, we fight till de last man die; and if I be de last man, what will I do? I hold up de flags, doing my duty. De President of de United States is one great man what has done more good dan any oder man what ever was borned. I bless de Lord we fight for so good Commander. I have no more to say now and evermore - Amen."
Whether these troops were of the 9th or 7th regiment is unknown, and perhaps not important, but the "Corps d'Afrique" designation was unique to African American troops from Louisiana.
Here is an essay about the United States Colored Troops during the war.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas with the Slaves
A few days ago, I mentioned the book The Civil War in Song and Story 1860-1865 by Frank Moore and posted that I would be adding a few more stories from it. Two of the stories I found involved African-Americans and the celebration of Christmas, which I thought would be appropriate during this yuletide season. Here is the first one, from pages 465 and 466 of this fascinating book.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE SLAVES - A letter writer at Port Royal, South Carolina, gives the following account of the way in which the slaves kept the first Christmas after the Proclamation of Emancipation:
"Christmas Eve was celebrated by the colored people at General Drayton's plantation. About half past eleven o'clock a bell was rung, and precisely at twelve a pine fire was kindled in front of the cabin where the meeting was to be held. They called the festival a serenade to Jesus. One of the leaders, of which there were three, was dressed in a red coat with brass buttons, wearing white gloves. The females wore turbans made of cotton handkerchiefs., All ages were represented, from the child of one year to the old man of ninety.
"The first exercise consisted in singing hymns and spiriual songs, among which were those beginning, "Salvation! O the joyful sound; ' 'The voice of free grace;' 'Come, humble sinner, in whose breast;' 'O, poor sinner, can't stand de fire, can't stand de fire in dat great day;' and a Christmas song containing a medley of everything the fruitful mind of the leader could suggest, with the refrain, 'We'll wait till Jesus comes.' One of the leaders lined the hymns, and though none of them could read, it was remarkable with what correctness they gave the words. Their Scripture quotations were also correct and appropriate, not only having the exact words, but naming the chapter and verse where they could be found.
"After singing for some time, a prayer-meeting was held. The prayers were fervent and powerful, and when an allusion would be made to the soldiers who had come from their distant homes, in the North country, to 'help and save de poor slave, and, like Jesus, bring dem good tidings of great joy,' a shout went up that sent its notes on the still night air to the distant pickets in the surrounding pines. When asked, as they could not read, how they could quote the Scriptures, they replied: 'We have ears, massa, and when de preacher give out his texts, den we remembers and says dem over and over till we never forgets dem; dat's de way, massa, we poor people learns de Word of God.'
"The next exercise consisted of speaking and signing, at intervals. While one was speaking, another would take a blazing pine torch from the fire, and hold it up, so that all might see the speaker. At two o'clock, a recess was had, and all were invited to partake of coffee, which luxury they can now purchase without any difficulty, as they have plenty of money, obtained of the soldiers for vegetables and poultry.
"After this came what they called the shouting exercise. It was introduced by the beating of time by three or four, with the feet. Soon the whole company formed into a circle, and commenced jumping and singing to the time and tune of
The General Drayton referred to is Confederate General Thomas Fenwick Drayton
Some background information on the verse they sung that night is at this link, as this hymn was one of many verses adapted to the tune we know now as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Another source of information about it, including words to other verses, is here.
I also included this timeline of events involving the Port Royal area during the Civil War including General David Hunter's May 1862 attempt to declare local slaves free, months before the Emancipation Proclamation (and the above story) and which President Lincoln revoked, believing such decisions belonged to the President and Congress, not generals in the field. (Lincoln had previously countermanded a similar order from General John C. Fremont in Missouri in September 1861).
I wonder how many people have felt a spirit of Christmas as intense as the feeling those newly freed people experienced on that glorious night and morning.
Glory, hallelujah, indeed!
CHRISTMAS WITH THE SLAVES - A letter writer at Port Royal, South Carolina, gives the following account of the way in which the slaves kept the first Christmas after the Proclamation of Emancipation:
"Christmas Eve was celebrated by the colored people at General Drayton's plantation. About half past eleven o'clock a bell was rung, and precisely at twelve a pine fire was kindled in front of the cabin where the meeting was to be held. They called the festival a serenade to Jesus. One of the leaders, of which there were three, was dressed in a red coat with brass buttons, wearing white gloves. The females wore turbans made of cotton handkerchiefs., All ages were represented, from the child of one year to the old man of ninety.
"The first exercise consisted in singing hymns and spiriual songs, among which were those beginning, "Salvation! O the joyful sound; ' 'The voice of free grace;' 'Come, humble sinner, in whose breast;' 'O, poor sinner, can't stand de fire, can't stand de fire in dat great day;' and a Christmas song containing a medley of everything the fruitful mind of the leader could suggest, with the refrain, 'We'll wait till Jesus comes.' One of the leaders lined the hymns, and though none of them could read, it was remarkable with what correctness they gave the words. Their Scripture quotations were also correct and appropriate, not only having the exact words, but naming the chapter and verse where they could be found.
"After singing for some time, a prayer-meeting was held. The prayers were fervent and powerful, and when an allusion would be made to the soldiers who had come from their distant homes, in the North country, to 'help and save de poor slave, and, like Jesus, bring dem good tidings of great joy,' a shout went up that sent its notes on the still night air to the distant pickets in the surrounding pines. When asked, as they could not read, how they could quote the Scriptures, they replied: 'We have ears, massa, and when de preacher give out his texts, den we remembers and says dem over and over till we never forgets dem; dat's de way, massa, we poor people learns de Word of God.'
"The next exercise consisted of speaking and signing, at intervals. While one was speaking, another would take a blazing pine torch from the fire, and hold it up, so that all might see the speaker. At two o'clock, a recess was had, and all were invited to partake of coffee, which luxury they can now purchase without any difficulty, as they have plenty of money, obtained of the soldiers for vegetables and poultry.
"After this came what they called the shouting exercise. It was introduced by the beating of time by three or four, with the feet. Soon the whole company formed into a circle, and commenced jumping and singing to the time and tune of
'Say, brothers, will you meet me,
Say, brothers, will you meet me,
Say, brothers, will you meet me,
On Canaan's happy shore?'
This was continued until the most fertile imagination was exhausted, embracing an invitation to sisters, soldiers, preachers, &c., to meet them on Canaan's happy shore.
"Never did these poor slaves celebrate a Christmas Eve under such circumstances before. Whatever may be their future, the are now, 'to all intents, purposes, and constructions whatever' free; that they may 'choose it rather' is beyond question more certain."
The General Drayton referred to is Confederate General Thomas Fenwick Drayton
Some background information on the verse they sung that night is at this link, as this hymn was one of many verses adapted to the tune we know now as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Another source of information about it, including words to other verses, is here.
I also included this timeline of events involving the Port Royal area during the Civil War including General David Hunter's May 1862 attempt to declare local slaves free, months before the Emancipation Proclamation (and the above story) and which President Lincoln revoked, believing such decisions belonged to the President and Congress, not generals in the field. (Lincoln had previously countermanded a similar order from General John C. Fremont in Missouri in September 1861).
I wonder how many people have felt a spirit of Christmas as intense as the feeling those newly freed people experienced on that glorious night and morning.
Glory, hallelujah, indeed!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration
A few weeks ago, one of my entries mentioned a website for Ohio's planned celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and during that entry I lamented the fact that my native and beloved Kentucky was not on the list of states that site listed as having such a commemoration planned (though through the Kentucky Historical Society, not, apparently, a separate commission.)
Well, the good news is that such a plan does exist. I will post the link to the press release and the text below. It apparently was announced months ago, but I had missed it completely.
This link includes links to some other information about this commemoration. One of them is a press release from August 24 stating that the Kentucky Historical Society had received a grant of $1,050,000 from the state to help with this commission. During the current economic climate, state funding like that is wonderful news, even if that amount must last the entire 4 years.
I regret not learning and posting of this earlier, but I'm glad to see it now - better late than never is true in this case.
As this release mentions, Kentucky's motto of "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" never seems more appropriate than when discussing the Civil War, especially the Bluegrass State's role in it.
http://history.ky.gov/sub.php?pageid=132§ionid=5
News & Events
Discovering Together: Kentucky's Civil War Landscapes
During the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the Kentucky Historical Society will share with the nation the story of Kentucky's role in this contentious struggle.
The Kentucky motto, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" was tested during the four years of the war. The tenuous stance Kentucky held during the war provides the commonwealth with a unique and complex historical narrative to reveal during the 2011 - 2015 Civil War Sesquicentennial.
During the contentious struggle, United States President Abraham Lincoln powerfully asserted, "I would like to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." The importance of Kentucky, especially its strategic location along transportation routes, surpluses of agricultural and industrial products and large populations for armies, was imperative to efforts to preserve the Union.
In Kentucky, the war truly was a war among families. Kentucky provided soldiers for both armies and was represented by stars on both the United States and Confederate States flags. The state witnessed contentious political debates, and was the birthplace of the presidents of both the United States and Confederate States. Further, Kentucky was home to families who severed relations with one another over the politics and economics of slavery, and to enslaved families, who were forcibly separated by being sold by owners, or by fleeing to the unknown--freedom.
Kentucky's story during the Civil War is a composite of what the U. S. faced on a whole, and even 150 years, later, that story has lingering effects. As administrator of Kentucky's Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration, KHS invites Kentuckians to Discover Together: To unshackle preconceived thinking about people, places and events of the Civil War and to arrive at a new understanding of our shared pasts.
Well, the good news is that such a plan does exist. I will post the link to the press release and the text below. It apparently was announced months ago, but I had missed it completely.
This link includes links to some other information about this commemoration. One of them is a press release from August 24 stating that the Kentucky Historical Society had received a grant of $1,050,000 from the state to help with this commission. During the current economic climate, state funding like that is wonderful news, even if that amount must last the entire 4 years.
I regret not learning and posting of this earlier, but I'm glad to see it now - better late than never is true in this case.
As this release mentions, Kentucky's motto of "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" never seems more appropriate than when discussing the Civil War, especially the Bluegrass State's role in it.
http://history.ky.gov/sub.php?pageid=132§ionid=5
News & Events
Discovering Together: Kentucky's Civil War Landscapes
During the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the Kentucky Historical Society will share with the nation the story of Kentucky's role in this contentious struggle.
The Kentucky motto, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" was tested during the four years of the war. The tenuous stance Kentucky held during the war provides the commonwealth with a unique and complex historical narrative to reveal during the 2011 - 2015 Civil War Sesquicentennial.
During the contentious struggle, United States President Abraham Lincoln powerfully asserted, "I would like to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky." The importance of Kentucky, especially its strategic location along transportation routes, surpluses of agricultural and industrial products and large populations for armies, was imperative to efforts to preserve the Union.
In Kentucky, the war truly was a war among families. Kentucky provided soldiers for both armies and was represented by stars on both the United States and Confederate States flags. The state witnessed contentious political debates, and was the birthplace of the presidents of both the United States and Confederate States. Further, Kentucky was home to families who severed relations with one another over the politics and economics of slavery, and to enslaved families, who were forcibly separated by being sold by owners, or by fleeing to the unknown--freedom.
Kentucky's story during the Civil War is a composite of what the U. S. faced on a whole, and even 150 years, later, that story has lingering effects. As administrator of Kentucky's Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration, KHS invites Kentuckians to Discover Together: To unshackle preconceived thinking about people, places and events of the Civil War and to arrive at a new understanding of our shared pasts.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Soldiers' Aid Societies (a poem)
I found this tribute on pages 55 and 56 of the 1882 version of The Civil War in Song and Story 1860-1865 by Frank Moore. This book actually has many fascinating stories and tales, some of which I have previously shared and more of which will follow over time. I really like the perspectives such stories, tales, songs, poems and other prose pieces provide.
Soldiers' Aid Societies
To the quiet nooks of home,
To the public halls so wide,
The women, all loyal hurrying come,
And sit down side by side,
To fight for their native land,
With womanly weapons girt,
For dagger a needle, scissors for brand,
While they sing the song of the shirt
O women with sons so dear,
O tender, loving wives,
It is not money you work for now,
But the saving of precious lives.
'Tis roused for the battle we feel -
O for a thousand experts,
Armed with tiny darts of steel,
To conquer thousands of shirts!
Stitch - stitch - stitch
Under the sheltering roof,
Come to the rescue, poor and rich,
Nor stay from the work aloof:
To the men who are shedding their blood,
To the brave, devoted band,
Whose action is honor, whose cause is good,
We pledge our strong right hand.
Work - work - work,
With earnest heart and soul -
Work - work work,
To keep the Union whole.
And 'tis O for the land of the brave,
Where treason and cowardice lurk,
Where there's all to lose or all to save,
That we're doing this Christian work.
Brothers are fighting abroad,
Sisters will help them here,
Husbands and wives with one accord
Serving the cause so dear.
Stand by our colors to-day -
Keep to the Union true -
Under our flag while yet we may
Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.
Soldiers' Aid Societies
To the quiet nooks of home,
To the public halls so wide,
The women, all loyal hurrying come,
And sit down side by side,
To fight for their native land,
With womanly weapons girt,
For dagger a needle, scissors for brand,
While they sing the song of the shirt
O women with sons so dear,
O tender, loving wives,
It is not money you work for now,
But the saving of precious lives.
'Tis roused for the battle we feel -
O for a thousand experts,
Armed with tiny darts of steel,
To conquer thousands of shirts!
Stitch - stitch - stitch
Under the sheltering roof,
Come to the rescue, poor and rich,
Nor stay from the work aloof:
To the men who are shedding their blood,
To the brave, devoted band,
Whose action is honor, whose cause is good,
We pledge our strong right hand.
Work - work - work,
With earnest heart and soul -
Work - work work,
To keep the Union whole.
And 'tis O for the land of the brave,
Where treason and cowardice lurk,
Where there's all to lose or all to save,
That we're doing this Christian work.
Brothers are fighting abroad,
Sisters will help them here,
Husbands and wives with one accord
Serving the cause so dear.
Stand by our colors to-day -
Keep to the Union true -
Under our flag while yet we may
Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Elizabeth Keckely needs your help
I found this article on the Abraham Lincoln online site and thought it worth sharing.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/news/keckly.htm
The link tells the whole story, but, basically, her burial site has been found, but funds are needed to help provide for a headstone and care for the site.
If anyone has any extra funds during this holiday season, this certainly seems like a good way to help support an important historical project.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/news/keckly.htm
The link tells the whole story, but, basically, her burial site has been found, but funds are needed to help provide for a headstone and care for the site.
If anyone has any extra funds during this holiday season, this certainly seems like a good way to help support an important historical project.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Addition to my blog
On the toolbar to the right of the main text, undneath the "Who am I" box, I have added a gadget of a slideshow of the Civil War headstones I have found throughout Campbell County, Kentucky so far. Just click on the pictures and if your pop-up blocker is not on, you can look at individual pictures, or the whole slideshow in a different window.
I hope I will be able to find more headstones and get more pictures starting next spring when the weather is better, but I think I had a good start this year, with quite a few photos, and even a couple of stories about some of the men. Earlier this year, I made a post about the fighting Seither brothers, 3 of whom fought for the Union and one for the Confederacy. The headstone for August Seither (his name spelled Seiter) is among my pictures - I still hope to find pictures of at least 2 of his brothers, who I think are buried in the area.
I like how this new gadget looks and hope it adds something nice to my blog.
I hope I will be able to find more headstones and get more pictures starting next spring when the weather is better, but I think I had a good start this year, with quite a few photos, and even a couple of stories about some of the men. Earlier this year, I made a post about the fighting Seither brothers, 3 of whom fought for the Union and one for the Confederacy. The headstone for August Seither (his name spelled Seiter) is among my pictures - I still hope to find pictures of at least 2 of his brothers, who I think are buried in the area.
I like how this new gadget looks and hope it adds something nice to my blog.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Recent Reading
I recently finished President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman by William Lee Miller (2008, Alfred A. Knopf) and while I do not intend to write a full review of it, I did want to note that I enjoyed it and found it to be a good read. It has many discussions of how Lincoln, during the Presidential years, acted in the role of a statesman for the first time in his life, discovering new "friends" among many leaders of other nations.
It also discusess the moral situations Lincoln faced and how he handled them, continuing a theme from Miller's previous book Lincoln's Virtues (2002 Alfred A Knopf). Miller provides several examples for which Lincoln has received criticism for his decisions, and usually provides a counter-argument, supporting Lincoln's choices. I enjoyed how he managed to do that.
It was a fine book, but, in hindsight, it probably should have been second in my recent list of readings, had I known the full details of how both books read, as the book I'm now reading Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point (2008, Stackpole Books) by Lewis Lehrman also delves into some of the moral issues of Lincoln's life, but from an earlier time frame, starting with his October 16, 1854 speech in Peoria, Illinois, which established anti-Kansas/Nebraska act themes, his arguments against Stephen A. Douglas' popular sovereignty theory and, as the title suggests, marks a turning point in both the style and substance of Lincoln's public comments.
I have not finished Lehrman's work yet, but throughout what I've read so far (which does include the years after the Peoria speech), he frequently comments on Lincoln's morals and philosophy, especially regarding slavery. Had I known the full contents of both these books, I would have read this one first and followed it up with Miller's and that would have been a wonderful pairing. It's still not bad as is, as both authors touch on similar topics, but with approaches different enough to make it worthwhile to read both.
I am truly enjoying Lehrman's book and hope to provide a fuller review for it soon, but I certainly think both these books provide interesting looks at Lincoln as a President and a man, and how he dealt with the challenges he faced.
It also discusess the moral situations Lincoln faced and how he handled them, continuing a theme from Miller's previous book Lincoln's Virtues (2002 Alfred A Knopf). Miller provides several examples for which Lincoln has received criticism for his decisions, and usually provides a counter-argument, supporting Lincoln's choices. I enjoyed how he managed to do that.
It was a fine book, but, in hindsight, it probably should have been second in my recent list of readings, had I known the full details of how both books read, as the book I'm now reading Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point (2008, Stackpole Books) by Lewis Lehrman also delves into some of the moral issues of Lincoln's life, but from an earlier time frame, starting with his October 16, 1854 speech in Peoria, Illinois, which established anti-Kansas/Nebraska act themes, his arguments against Stephen A. Douglas' popular sovereignty theory and, as the title suggests, marks a turning point in both the style and substance of Lincoln's public comments.
I have not finished Lehrman's work yet, but throughout what I've read so far (which does include the years after the Peoria speech), he frequently comments on Lincoln's morals and philosophy, especially regarding slavery. Had I known the full contents of both these books, I would have read this one first and followed it up with Miller's and that would have been a wonderful pairing. It's still not bad as is, as both authors touch on similar topics, but with approaches different enough to make it worthwhile to read both.
I am truly enjoying Lehrman's book and hope to provide a fuller review for it soon, but I certainly think both these books provide interesting looks at Lincoln as a President and a man, and how he dealt with the challenges he faced.
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