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The Gettysburg Address and Other Writings
Abraham Lincoln is a near legendary figure in American history, and the dimensions of his legend assure many shapes based on the historical reality of his achievements. He was the quintessential self-made man who rose from humble origins to become the chief executive of his nation. He was a political idealist whose dedication to ensuring liberty and equality for all resulted in his assassination. And, as the documents collected in this volume attest, he was, although largely self-educated, the author of some of the most eloquent and insightful addresses, speeches, and correspondence in American letters of the nineteenth century.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1899
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Abraham Lincoln
2,353 books1,946 followersAbraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States from 1861, led during the Civil War, and emancipated slaves in the south in 1863; shortly after the end, John Wilkes Booth assassinated him.
Abraham Lincoln, an American lawyer, politician, and man, served until 1865. Lincoln defended the American constitutional nation, defeated the insurgent Confederacy, abolished, expanded the power of the Federal government, and modernized the economy.
A mother bore him into poverty in a log cabin in Kentucky, and parents reared on the frontier, primarily in Indiana. He educated as a lawyer in Whig party, joined legislature, and represented Illinois. In 1849, he returned to his successful law practice in Springfield, Illinois.
The Kansas–Nebraska act in 1854 opened the territories, angered him, and caused him to re-enter politics. He quickly joined the new Republican Party. He reached a national audience in the campaign debates against Stephen Arnold Douglas for Senate in 1858. Lincoln ran in 1860 and swept the north to gain victory. Other elements viewed his election as a threat and from the nation began seceding. During this time, the newly formed Confederate of America began seizing Federal military bases. A little over one month after Lincoln assumed, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Following the bombardment, Lincoln mobilized forces to suppress the rebellion and restored.
Lincoln, a moderate, navigated a contentious array of factions with friends and opponents from the Democratic Party and Republican Party. His allies, the Democrats, and the radical Republicans, demanded harsh treatment of the Confederates. He exploited mutual enmity of the factions, carefully distributing political patronage, and appealed to the American people. Democrats, called "Copperheads," despised Lincoln, and some irreconcilable pro-Confederate elements went so far as to plot. People came to see his greatest address at Gettysburg as a most influential statement of American national purpose. Lincoln closely supervised the strategy and tactics in the effort, including the selection of generals, and implemented a naval blockade of the trade. He suspended habeas corpus in Maryland and elsewhere, and averted British intervention by defusing the Trent Affair. He issued the proclamation, which declared free those "in rebellion." It also directed the Navy to "recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons" and to receive them "into the armed service." Lincoln pressured border to outlaw, and he promoted the thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished, except as punishment for a crime.
Lincoln managed his own successful re-election campaign. He sought to heal the torn nation through reconciliation. On April 14, 1865, just five days after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, he attended a play at theater of Ford in Washington, District of Columbia, with Mary Todd Lincoln, his wife, when Confederate sympathizer fatally shot him. People remember Lincoln as a martyr and a national hero for his time and for his efforts to preserve and abolish. Popular and scholarly polls often rank Lincoln as the greatest president in American history.
Abraham Lincoln, an American lawyer, politician, and man, served until 1865. Lincoln defended the American constitutional nation, defeated the insurgent Confederacy, abolished, expanded the power of the Federal government, and modernized the economy.
A mother bore him into poverty in a log cabin in Kentucky, and parents reared on the frontier, primarily in Indiana. He educated as a lawyer in Whig party, joined legislature, and represented Illinois. In 1849, he returned to his successful law practice in Springfield, Illinois.
The Kansas–Nebraska act in 1854 opened the territories, angered him, and caused him to re-enter politics. He quickly joined the new Republican Party. He reached a national audience in the campaign debates against Stephen Arnold Douglas for Senate in 1858. Lincoln ran in 1860 and swept the north to gain victory. Other elements viewed his election as a threat and from the nation began seceding. During this time, the newly formed Confederate of America began seizing Federal military bases. A little over one month after Lincoln assumed, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Following the bombardment, Lincoln mobilized forces to suppress the rebellion and restored.
Lincoln, a moderate, navigated a contentious array of factions with friends and opponents from the Democratic Party and Republican Party. His allies, the Democrats, and the radical Republicans, demanded harsh treatment of the Confederates. He exploited mutual enmity of the factions, carefully distributing political patronage, and appealed to the American people. Democrats, called "Copperheads," despised Lincoln, and some irreconcilable pro-Confederate elements went so far as to plot. People came to see his greatest address at Gettysburg as a most influential statement of American national purpose. Lincoln closely supervised the strategy and tactics in the effort, including the selection of generals, and implemented a naval blockade of the trade. He suspended habeas corpus in Maryland and elsewhere, and averted British intervention by defusing the Trent Affair. He issued the proclamation, which declared free those "in rebellion." It also directed the Navy to "recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons" and to receive them "into the armed service." Lincoln pressured border to outlaw, and he promoted the thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished, except as punishment for a crime.
Lincoln managed his own successful re-election campaign. He sought to heal the torn nation through reconciliation. On April 14, 1865, just five days after the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, he attended a play at theater of Ford in Washington, District of Columbia, with Mary Todd Lincoln, his wife, when Confederate sympathizer fatally shot him. People remember Lincoln as a martyr and a national hero for his time and for his efforts to preserve and abolish. Popular and scholarly polls often rank Lincoln as the greatest president in American history.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 12, 2024
I had been planning on reading this collection of Abraham Lincoln’s most well known speeches/writings for a while now. Most of them, “Gettysburg Address” “A House Divided, etc., were centered around one of the most tumultuous time periods in the history of the United States when it was deeply divided and a small group of elites willingly plunged the nation into civil war to preserve their right to own men and women of a different race. As fate would have it, I read this collection in the aftermath of another tumultuous week in the country, during which my faith in the country’s future took a severe blow. Reading these works by an actual leader with humility and humanity lent me some strength. The country seemed bleak in the aftermath of the Dredd Scott decision but men like Lincoln rose to the occasion. It's a testament to Lincoln’s intelligence and writing ability that he can inspire Americans in the 21st century to keep pushing for a better America.
In general the selection of writings works as we get the most well known ones like The Gettysburg Address all in one place. Not all of the selections worked for me like “Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions and Improvements”. I also think the book could have been better organized, namely put them in chronological order.
It’s a short but effective collection of works from a truly great American. If you're a fan of Abraham Lincoln or need a boost in times when the future of the United States comes into question, this is a good book to have around.
In general the selection of writings works as we get the most well known ones like The Gettysburg Address all in one place. Not all of the selections worked for me like “Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions and Improvements”. I also think the book could have been better organized, namely put them in chronological order.
It’s a short but effective collection of works from a truly great American. If you're a fan of Abraham Lincoln or need a boost in times when the future of the United States comes into question, this is a good book to have around.
February 11, 2017
"As a general rule, I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer." This quote from Lincoln's last public address sounds like a very useful piece of advice to his counterpart now occupying the White House, who seems to follow very closely all uttered about him, negative and positive alike.
In general, the book allows the reader to penetrate, at least to some extent, into the great man's mind and his thinking. Some facts about the abolition of slavery become clearer. The accounts of first-hand witnesses of the events are very helpful and valuable.
Couldn't make myself read through all of the poetic part, though.
In general, the book allows the reader to penetrate, at least to some extent, into the great man's mind and his thinking. Some facts about the abolition of slavery become clearer. The accounts of first-hand witnesses of the events are very helpful and valuable.
Couldn't make myself read through all of the poetic part, though.
July 17, 2017
This book contains an excellent selection of Lincoln's speeches and writings. Lincoln was one of this most gifted writers and speakers to ever hold public office in the United States and every American should read his works.
The only thing negative I can say about this book is that it presents material by type, rather than in date order. This is not really a bad thing, but makes the changes, some of which are very nuanced, in Lincoln's thoughts harder to follow.
The only thing negative I can say about this book is that it presents material by type, rather than in date order. This is not really a bad thing, but makes the changes, some of which are very nuanced, in Lincoln's thoughts harder to follow.
August 7, 2021
Many of his writings can pertain to today's issues.
March 3, 2022
Not much to say. A short collection of his speeches and some of his life. Historically important and you can see he was a great leader who wanted best for this country.
June 30, 2022
Gettysburg Address (5/5)
Address before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois (4/5)
Thoughts on Government (5/5)
Thoughts on Slavery (5/5)
"A House Divided" Speech (4/5)
Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions, and Improvements (3/5)
Thoughts on the Divine Will (3/5)
The Emancipation Proclamation (5/5)
Opinion on the Draft (4/5)
Lecture on Liberty at the Sanitary Fair in Baltimore (5/5)
On Reconstruction (4/5)
First Inaugural Address (5/5)
Second Inaugural Address (5/5)
Address before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois (4/5)
Thoughts on Government (5/5)
Thoughts on Slavery (5/5)
"A House Divided" Speech (4/5)
Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions, and Improvements (3/5)
Thoughts on the Divine Will (3/5)
The Emancipation Proclamation (5/5)
Opinion on the Draft (4/5)
Lecture on Liberty at the Sanitary Fair in Baltimore (5/5)
On Reconstruction (4/5)
First Inaugural Address (5/5)
Second Inaugural Address (5/5)
April 11, 2014
I got a parchment replica of the Gettysburg Address that came with the book so nothing to complain! :) As a history nerd, this book is to die for. Please buy it and I love how Ab manoeuvred through words.
October 11, 2012
It's Lincoln..... need I say more?!
November 29, 2013
His writings are superb
July 8, 2015
Not much really to review. Simply a collection of Lincolns speeches and letters. he truly was a remarkably intelligent man.
February 21, 2016
Something every American should read at least once in their lives.
November 5, 2020
Abraham Lincoln was a glorious writer. I love his 'Lecture on Discoveries, Inventions, and Improvements.'
April 20, 2022
Chills
December 6, 2023
My favorite president, easily.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews