The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (American Presidency Series)

Abraham Lincoln's life and work have inspired more books than any other historical figure except Jesus and Shakespeare and attracted some of America's most renowned writers. But few know him as well as Phillip Paludan, one of our nation's foremost authorities on Lincoln and the Civil War. In this long-awaited study, Paludan offers us Lincoln in whole--a complex, even contradictory personality who found greatness without seeking it and who felt deeply troubled about what he perceived as his failings as a president and person. Opinion has been divided about the real Lincoln. A conservative. A liberal. The great emancipator. A Union preservationist at all cost. But Paludan's Lincoln is both a constitutionalist and a liberal egalitarian who ultimately saw his efforts to preserve the Union and free the slaves as inseparably linked. Lincoln, Paludan contends, proved himself a truly great leader in a highly combustible situation. True, he was no saint and could rule with political expediency and a heavy hand. But no other president faced such awesome challenges, and none showed better how the nation could meet them and move toward "a more perfect union." Filled with new insights and fresh interpretations, Paludan's study presents a genuinely new and compelling portrait of a president and nation at war. It will change the way we look at such things as Lincoln's evolving reconstruction plans, his civil liberties restrictions, and his handling of foreign affairs and enlarge our understanding of the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural, which linked the president's personal feelings with the needs of the nation. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Lincoln, the presidency, and the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln's Life And Work Have Inspired More Books Than Any Other Historical Figure Except Jesus And Shakespeare And Attracted Some Of America's Most Renowned Writers. But Few Know Him As Well As Phillip Paludan, One Of The Nation's Foremost Authorities On Lincoln And The Civil War. Paludan Offers Us Lincoln In Whole--a Complex, Even Contradictory Personality Who Found Greatness Without Seeking It And Who Felt Deeply Troubled About What He Perceived As The Nation's Intertwined Triumph And Tragedy. Filled With Fresh Insights And New Interpretations, This Book Presents A Genuinely New And Compelling Portrait Of A President And Nation At War.--dust Jacket. 1. The State Of The Union : 1860 -- 2. Assembling The Cast : Winter 1860-61 -- 3. To Sumter : January To April 1861 -- 4. Congress Organizes, Lincoln Acts : April To December 1861 -- 5. Forging The Resources Of War : January To February 1862 -- 6. Northern Power Emerges : March To June 1862 -- 7. Leaving Old Moorings--mcclellan And Emancipation : June To December 1862 -- 8. Cabinet Crisis : December 1862 -- 9. Emancipation And The Limits Of Dissent : January To June 1863 -- 10. Union Power Affirmed : May To July 1863 -- 11. The Meaning Of War : July To December 1863 -- 12. Reconstruction Beginnings : May 1862 To December 1863 -- 13. Lincoln Affirmed : January To June 1864 -- 14. Louisiana And Reelection : June To November 1864 -- 15. The Reconstruction Proposition : December 1864 To April 1865 -- 16. Conclusion. Phillip Shaw Paludan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments 1 The State of the Union: 1860 2 Assembling the Cast: Winter 1860-61 3 To Sumter: January to April 1861 4 Congress Organizes, Lincoln Acts: April to December 1861 5 Forging the Resources of War: January to February 1862 6 Northern Power Emerges: March to June 1862 7 Leaving Old Moorings—McClellan and Emancipation: June to December 1862 8 Cabinet Crisis: December 1862 9 Emancipation and the Limits of Dissent: January to June 1863 10 Union Power Affirmed: May to July 1863 11 The Meaning of War: July to December 1863 12 Reconstruction Beginnings: May 1862 to December 1863 13 Lincoln Affirmed: January to June 1864 14 Louisiana and Reelection: June to November 1864 15 The Reconstruction Proposition: December 1864 to April 1865 16 Conclusion Abraham Lincoln's life and work have inspired more books than any other historical figure except Jesus and Shakespeare and attracted some of America's most renowned writers. But few know him as well as Phillip Paludan, one of the nation's foremost authorities on Lincoln and the Civil War. Paludan offers us Lincoln in whole - a complex, even contradictory personality who found greatness without seeking it and who felt deeply troubled about what he perceived as the nation's intertwined triumph and tragedy. Filled with fresh insights and new interpretations, this book presents a genuinely new and compelling portrait of a president and nation at war. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Lincoln, the presidency, and the Civil War. This study of Lincoln contends that he proved himself a great leader in a combustible situation, although he was no saint and could rule with expediency and a heavy hand. But no other President faced such challenges, and none showed better how America could move towards "a more perfect union."