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Description Contents Features Author Reviews Description
Interest in the American Civil War and the role of Abraham Lincoln has grown dramatically in the last decade. Leader of the anti-slavery Republican coalition and the wartime Union, he has become a model of a particular kind of democratic politician who led rather than followed. Richard J. Carwardine examines Lincoln's rise to power and his achievements as US president. The book explores the wider sources of Lincoln's authority and skills in embracing a broad range of elements within the Republican party. In particular, it looks at Lincoln's shrewd relationship with evangelical Protestantism. His ability to harness and channel the power of the Protestant constituency was key to his winning the presidency and rallying support behind his national and emancipatory vision. topContents
1. Inner Power: Lincoln's Ambition and Political Vision, 1809-18542. The Power of Opinion: Lincoln, the Illinois Public, and the New Political Order, 1854-18583. The Power of Party: Winning the Presidency, 1858-18604. Confronting the Limits of Power: From President-elect to War President, 1860-18615. The purposes of Power: Evolving Objectives, 1861-18656. The Instruments of Power: Coercion and Voluntary Mobilisation, 1861-18657. Conclusion: Power in Death topFeatures
- Political biography with new angle on one of the most famous US Presidents of all time
- Focus on relationship with evangelical Protestantism - throws new light on Lincoln's presidency and power
- Huge interest in American Civil War and slavery in the US - what motivated Lincoln as leader of the anti-slavery coalition
- Gives full attention to Lincoln's career before the presidency - full chronological coverage
- Topical and relevant - important parallels to be drawn with US presidency today - responsibility, rights and nationalism
topAuthor
Richard J. Carwardine is Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University. His many publications include Transatlantic Revivalism: Popular Evangelicism in Britain and America, 1790-1865 and Evangelicals and Politics in Antebellum America (1993). topReviews
WINNER OF THE 2004 14th ANNUAL LINCOLN PRIZE "This is the biography of a prudent, decisive, activist Lincoln the world
has been waiting for. Richard Carwardine has drawn a true portrait of the
strengths of Lincoln's personal character, the development and tenacity of
Lincoln's ethical convictions, his subtle and deliberate political acumen,
his respect and embrace of moral principles for the conduct of personal
relations and public statecraft; and, finally, Carwardine demonstrates
Lincoln's mastery of men and of public opinion."
Lewis E. Lehrman, Co-Chairman of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American
History "Rarely does a biography of a popular historical figure offer all the qualities that make for a good read: lively writing, a fresh perspective, significant insight, and a compelling narrative. Carwardine does all this and more ... There is simply no other Lincoln biography like it." Tom Schwartz, Illinois State Historian"a brilliant addition to the Lincoln literature" Books and Culture "Richard Carwardine’s study of the political leadership of Abraham Lincoln represents an extraordinary achievement" Mark A. Noll, Professor of History Wheaton College, IL "The book offers an insightful, judicious and in some ways original study of Lincoln's public career." London Review of Books" This is a work of careful reflection - concise, lucid, cogent and providing a fair, balanced, and at times fresh perspective." History Review top
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